COOKIE JAR ENTERTAINMENT NAMES CHARLOTTE HARGREAVES VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING AND CONSUMER PRODUCTS, EUROPE Hargreaves To Oversee Marketing And Licensing For Cookie Jar Entertainment's Growing European Operations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
LONDON, ENGLAND (January 11, 2006) - Reflecting the significant expansion of the company's European programming and merchandising operations, Cookie Jar Entertainment has appointed industry-recognized marketing executive Charlotte Hargreaves, as Vice President Marketing and Consumer Products, Europe.
"Charlotte brings to Cookie Jar Entertainment a strong profile in Europe stemming from a distinguished career in all facets of marketing and licensing. As Cookie Jar continues to grow as a dominant source of proven brands for broadcasters and licensees throughout the international market, we are delighted to have Charlotte's extensive skills and experience at the helm in Europe," said Toper Taylor President and COO Cookie Jar Entertainment.
"Cookie Jar Entertainment has emerged as the leading global resource for the best in children's entertainment and edutainment. I am excited to have the opportunity of working together with our prestigious roster of licensees, broadcasters, subagents and video distributors across the European market, representing the European marketing and licensing for such high-profile and successful Cookie Jar brands as THE DOODLEBOPS, CAILLOU and the all-new SPIDER RIDERS" said Hargreaves.
Hargreaves joins Cookie Jar Entertainment's European office at a time of dramatic growth for the company and its entertainment properties, with THE DOODLEBOPS emerging as a leading global preschool franchise and the company's celebrated CAILLOU and ARTHUR series continuing to command large preschool ratings with leading kids broadcasters throughout Europe.
Respected for her depth of senior-level experience and track record of success with leading entertainment companies, Hargreaves will oversee all European marketing and consumer products operations on behalf of Cookie Jar Entertainment and the company's expansive slate of quality children's brands, which encompasses such global icons as THE DOODLEBOPS, CAILLOU and the company's first boy's action brand, SPIDER RIDERS. Based in Cookie Jar Entertainment's London, office, Hargreaves reports to both Kelly Elwood, Senior Vice President of Marketing and John Gildea, Senior Vice President of Consumer Products.
Hargreaves joins Cookie Jar Entertainment from Sony Pictures Consumer Products, where she served as Vice President, International Licensing. During her term with Sony, Hargreaves played a key role in managing the licensing for Sony's box-office blockbuster Spiderman 2, which attracted over 300 licensees. In addition, Hargeaves formed the studio's London office and was responsible for a team of twelve licensing agents stationed across Europe, Middle East and South Africa. Prior to Sony, Hargreaves served with BBC Worldwide as Head of Global Toys & Promotions, where she managed the exploitation of key properties for licensing and retail marketing. Hargreaves negotiated global master toy licenses with Fisher-Price, Hasbro and Tomy, which contributed over £4 million in revenue and cultivated multi-territorial promotional associations McDonald's, Kellogg's, Nestle and KFC. She joined BBC Worldwide as Global Adult Licensing Manager, developing licensing strategies for brands such as The Weakest Link and Robot Wars. Hargreaves began her career in licensing and consumer products working with Walt Disney Consumer Products, where she held the position of Category Manager, Apparel and Apparel Accessories and Copyright Promotions plc, where she served as Marketing Executive.
About Cookie Jar Group
Cookie Jar Group develops 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., as well as a 20% interest in Teletoon Canada Inc., Canada's only all-animation broadcaster.
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 "Arthur," "The Doodlebops," "Caillou" and "Gerald McBoing Boing." 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 (LA) - (818) 501-0700
