The Jim Henson Company has announced a series of new appointments in its international distribution department.

In 2009, Jim Henson created a licensing division for third-party properties, Henson Independent Properties, which it expanded in 2012 to include the distribution of third-party programming with shows like “Annoying Orange.”

“As a result of The Jim Henson Company’s aggressive initiative to roll out our preschool properties to the international marketplace, we have been able to expand our team and its focus, generating new opportunities for our original productions, as well as for our HIP properties,” says Richard Goldsmith, executive vice president of global distribution, The Jim Henson Company. 

Andrew Thomas has been promoted to director of global distribution, sales and marketing; Karen Lee Arbeeny has been appointed to the newly formed position of executive director, distribution business affairs; Casie Shapiro has been named director, global distribution, sales; and Adam Lucas will serve as distribution coordinator.

In his new role, Thomas will focus on television sales worldwide. Thomas has been with The Jim Henson Company for nearly three years where he previously served as manager of global distribution, sales and marketing.

Arbeeny will be responsible for managing contracts and media rights within the global distribution group. Prior to joining Jim Henson, she served as vice president, administration in digital media at NBCUniversal.

Shapiro will focus on home entertainment and digital distribution sales worldwide. Previously, she served as manager, domestic pay-per-view, video-on-demand and digital sales at Paramount Pictures.

Lucas, The Jim Henson Company’s newest distribution coordinator, will support the company’s distribution clients and manage its rights database. Lucas comes to the company from Comcast International Media Group.