COOKIE JAR ENTERTAINMENT NAMES KENNETH LOCKER AS SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT OF DIGITAL MEDIA Executive to Oversee New Content Development
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Montreal, CANADA (April 25, 2005)-Cookie Jar Entertainment, the programming and licensing arm of Cookie Jar Group, has appointed former Comedy Central and MGM Interactive executive, Kenneth Locker to the newly created position of Senior Vice-President of Digital Media, Cookie Jar.
Reporting directly to Toper Taylor, President and CEO of Cookie Jar Entertainment, Locker will be responsible for leveraging new and existing content for the company, across a variety of platforms, including the Internet, wireless, broadband and IPTV. Among the first projects he will be handling is The Doodlebops, a new live action, music and movement series for preschoolers. Already a hit in Canada, The Doodlebops premiered in the U.S. on April 11, 2005 as part of Disney Channel's popular learning-based Playhouse Disney programming block.
Locker will also exploit Cookie Jar's extensive library of more than 100 popular children's programs, which air in over 160 countries, including such renowned television series as Arthur, Caillou, and Postcards From Buster, now airing in the U.S. on PBS Kids.
"Ken brings to our company an extremely strong background in working with new media, developing brands and establishing key alliances," said Toper Taylor, President and COO Cookie Jar. "His proven track record in creating strategic relationships across diverse areas, including marketing, production and business development will result in the creation of numerous opportunities that had not been previously available to us."
Locker has an extensive background as one of the leading executives in media management for the television, motion picture and digital media industries. While at Comedy Central, where he served as Senior Vice-President, Digital Media Group, he created and implemented a business plan to extend the company's brand across all digital platforms, including the Internet, wireless and interactive TV. He also supervised the complete redesign of the network's Web site, increasing the number of unique visitors by 300% within the first six months of relaunch. In addition, he oversaw production of the network's first interactive TV productions -- The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Battlebots and Win Ben Stein's Money.
Locker also served as Executive Producer & General Manager for MGM Interactive. He was responsible for creating and implementing the company's online creative and business strategy, including the development of branded products, establishing marketing alliances, as well as working with creative talent, developers and producers. He established distribution, strategic and sponsor relationships with major corporations, including, @Home, BBD&O, Saatchi & Saatchi, Samsung, Gateway 2000, Compaq and Intel.
Previously serving as a consultant for broadband, cable and satellite TV companies including Voom, Synacor, Inc. and Svenska Bredbandsbolaget in Sweden, Locker oversaw their strategic planning, programming and business development. He also worked with new media, technology and entertainment clients including Intel, Cisco Systems, Softbank, Inc. and Evolution Ventures.
Locker was the co-founder of Worlds.com, Inc., and has also served as an executive for Robert Halmi Entertainment, Inc., Carolco Television, Inc. and Armand Hammer Productions, Inc.
About Cookie Jar Group
Cookie Jar Group develops, produces, distributes and markets quality products to children, their caregivers, parents and teachers. Cookie Jar Group's products reflect its commitment to providing the best in children's published content, animated and live action programming and innovative educational and entertainment-driven products worldwide. The group of companies consists of Cookie Jar Entertainment Inc. and Cookie Jar Education Inc.
Cookie Jar Entertainment Inc., Cookie Jar Group's entertainment operation, is a leading, global, independent producer, marketing and brand manager of such renowned children's properties as "The Doodlebops", "Gerald McBoing Boing", "Arthur" and "Spider Riders". Combining globally renowned intellectual properties with an industry-recognized management team, Cookie Jar Entertainment Inc. is a market-driven, brand building company that is committed to children first and foremost and is dedicated to the development and production of quality programming that embraces the whole child, with animated and live-action series that entertain, inspire and enlighten children and family audiences worldwide.
MEDIA CONTACT: SSA Public Relations Steve Syatt - (818) 501-0700
