Mattel-owned HIT Entertainment has centralized content creation and production in its UK office under SVP of HIT Brands, Edward Catchpole and appointed Sid Mathur to the role of VP, HIT Americas.

A new London-based VP of content development for HIT will be named at a later date, and in the interim, Catchpole will look after content.

As a result of HIT’s global business alignment, the creative development and production group will now be based in the UK.  Karen Barnes, HIT’s New York-based executive VP of production and development, will be leaving the company. Also exiting the company is Pam Westman, EVP of HIT Americas for its Thomas division.

The transition sees Mattel, which acquired HIT earlier this year for US$680 million, look to focus on tent-pole events to boost sales of popular brands including Thomas & Friends, Barney, Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Angelina Ballerina and Mike the Knight.

Mathur’s promotion from Mattel’s senior director for corporate strategy and development to VP of HIT Americas, based in its New York office, will see him report directly to Catchpole and lead  the strategic direction for the Americas across licensing, home entertainment, live events, broadcast, and retail.