International growth at the Jim Henson Company has led to an expanded role for Richard Goldsmith, recently appointed as executive vice president of global distribution and international consumer products.

In his new role, Goldsmith will add the company's international consumer products business to his distribution responsibilities.

Goldsmith, who joined The Jim Henson Company in September 2011, has been instrumental in guiding the growth of the company’s worldwide distribution efforts for all of its properties across all media. By expanding Goldsmith’s responsibilities to include oversight of its international consumer products business, the company is creating greater cohesion and synergy among all of its partners in the global marketplace.

Supporting Goldsmith in the development and management of international consumer products programs will be former Walt Disney Company executive Francesca Stobbe, who joins The Jim Henson Company in the role of executive director of international consumer products.

“Empowering Richard to forge stronger relationships between our media partners and our licensing partners will yield the level of collaboration that is so crucial in today’s integrated, dynamic marketplace,” says Peter Schube, president and chief operating officer, the Jim Henson Company, to whom Goldsmith reports. “In the three years that Richard has been directing our global distribution efforts, he has demonstrated a keen ability to develop and grow our partner relationships as well as enhance our brand positioning, which will surely be of benefit as he creates, develops and expands the company’s important licensing programs worldwide.”