U.S. and Canada

Andrews Group (New York, New York, 212-572-8600): Scott M. Sassa to president and COO. Sassa will move Andrews into new areas now that one of its major assets, New World Communications Group, is being sold to News Corporation. He will also assume the roles of chairman and CEO of Marvel Entertainment Group.

AnyRiver Entertainment (San Mateo, California, 415-372-2772): Ronald Parks to VP, finance. Parks oversees the development and management of AnyRiver’s financial and administrative operations and implementation of financial plans and reports. Andrew Sells to VP, production. Sells heads up both in-house production and outside developer teams and serves as executive producer on several AnyRiver titles.

Buena Vista Pictures Marketing (Burbank, California, 818-560-1000): John Cywinski to president. Cywinski is responsible for marketing live-action and animated feature films on the Walt Disney, Touchstone and Hollywood labels.

Channel One Network (New York, New York, 212-508-6800): Eric Poulson to VP, sales/marketing.

Discovery Networks U.S. (Bethesda, Maryland, 301-986-0444): Eric Eggleton to VP, Discovery Kids. Eggleton works closely with all of the Discovery Communications’ business and educational units and with the programming departments at Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel, Animal Planet and Discovery Kids Latin America. Eggleton also co-ordinates all Discovery Kids activities with outside entities and is the chief liaison with Lancit Media.

Discovery Networks (Bethesda, Maryland, 301-986-0444): David Gerber to director, production for Animal Planet.

Disney/ABC International Television (New York, New York, 212-456-7777): David Nogueira Rivera to director of sales, Spain and Portugal.

Film Roman (North Hollywood, California, 818-761-2544): Cynthia Harkless to servicing manager, international distribution.

Fox Children’s Network (Los Angeles, California, 213-856-1800): Carol Monr’e to senior VP, program services; Karen DiNoto to VP, development and creative affairs.

Hanna-Barbera (Hollywood, California, 213-851-5000): In addition to acting in her role as president of Warner Bros. Television Animation and head of Kids’ WB!, Jean MacCurdy now oversees Hanna-Barbera.

International Family Entertainment (Virginia Beach, Virginia, 804-459-6000): Tracy Jenkins to director, affiliate sales and relations, Rocky Mountain region, Denver.

Leo Burnett (Chicago, Illinois, 312-220-5959): Richard Hobbs retires at the end of1996 after 34 years with the agency. Though titles have yet to be confirmed, Jack Klues will replace Hobbs as executive VP, worldwide media director; Robert Brennan will take over the U.S. directorship; and Jeannie Euch assumes Brennan’s role as director, international media services.

Lyrick Studios (Richardson, Texas, 214-390-6000): Kevin Ryan to editorial director. Ryan leads the Wishbone publishing team.

Manga Entertainment (Chicago, Illinois, 312-751-0020): Greg Forston to national sales director. Forston is responsible for managing new releases and maximizing catalog sales and promotional efforts in association with PolyGram Video and PGD. Mike Egan to general manager. Egan is responsible for the day-to-day production, advertising and marketing operations of Manga’s headquarters and liaises with PolyGram Video on sell-through properties and marketing activities to retail.

Marvel Entertainment Group (New York, New York, 212-696-0808): Ken Lewis to executive VP, strategic alliances. Lewis develops strategic alliances with domestic and international companies seeking enhanced marketing, media and promotional opportunites through tie-ins to Marvel products and services. Michael Dresner to executive VP, corporate development. Dresner oversees the development of a cohesive branding message through the company’s expansion into comic Super Hero theme restaurants, theme parks, touring live-action shows and other media properties.

MCA/Universal Home Video (Universal City, California, 818-777-1000): Dana Long to senior publicist.

McDonald’s Corp. (Oak Brook, Illinois, 708-575-3000): Jack M. Greenberg to chairman, McDonald’s USA.

MGM Interactive (Santa Monica, California, 310-449-3000): John Golden to product manager, interactive. Golden is responsible for marketing, advertising and promoting MGM Interactive’s products and coordinating the positioning of titles as well as sales support, World Wide Web and Internet support and public relations.

MTM Worldwide Distribution (Studio City, California, 818-755-2400): Anne Leirer to director, worldwide operations.

MTV Networks (New York, New York, 212-258-8000): Nicole Browning to executive VP, affiliate sales and marketing.

NBA Canada (Toronto, Canada, 416-364-2030): Alison George to communications manager.

NBA Entertainment (Secaucus, New Jersey, 201-865-1500): Heidi Ueberroth to director and group manager, international television sales and programming.

Nickelodeon International (New York, New York, 212-258-8000): Lisa Judson to senior VP, creative director and chief of staff; Bruce Tuchman to VP and general business manager.

PBS (New York, New York, 212-708-3000): Harry Forbes to director, program press relations; Donna Williams to associate director, program press relations.

Quantum Media International (New York, New York, 312-213-2477): Tracey Robinson to VP, director of local broadcast services; Anne Gillespie to VP/account supervisor; Karen Kraus to assistant media planner.

Saban International (Los Angeles, California, 310-235-5100): Judith Merians to VP, business and legal affairs.

Scholastic (New York, New York, 212-343-6100): Hugh Roome to executive VP.

Shanghai Morning Sun Animation (U.S.A.) (Los Angeles, California, 310-854-3510): Alexis Wallrich to executive VP.

Sunbow Entertainment (New York, New York, 212-886-4900): Jessica Dieschel to sales executive.

TELETOON (Toronto, Canada, 416-956-2030): John Riley to president. TELETOON is Canada’s new national animation specialty service in English and French.

Turner Pictures (Los Angeles, California, 310-551-6300): Elizabeth Cantillon to executive VP, production; Betsy Sokolow to VP, public relations.

Universal Studios (Universal City, California, 818-777-1000): Mark Tischler to promotions director. Tischler works with all divisions of the studio.

VH1 (Los Angeles, California, 818-505-7800): Colleen Fahey to VP, research and planning.

Walt Disney Feature Animation (Burbank, California, 818-560-8000) and Walt Disney Theatrical Production (Burbank, California, 818-955-6823): Kevin Breen to senior VP, business and legal affairs.

Walt Disney Television Animation Canada (Vancouver, Canada, 604-608-1950): Lenora Hume to senior VP, international production.

Western International Media (Los Angeles, California, 310-659-5711): Daniel Roth to executive VP/chief strategic officer.

YTV Canada (Toronto, Canada, 416-534-1191): Andy Stokes to event marketing manager; Suzanne French to co-production manager.

Europe

Alicom Licensing (Stockholm, Sweden, 46-8-702-2433): Stefan Hansen to head of sales, Copenhagen. Hagen is responsible for negotiating merchandise licensing and promotions within and outside Denmark and oversees promotional activities with theatrical and home video distributors in Denmark.

BBC Worldwide (London, England, 44-181-743-5588): Tracey Hinchliffe to head of children’s marketing, UK consumer publishing division.

BMG Video (London, England, 44-171-384-7500): Jodi Rovin to associate director, creative services. Rovin is responsible for the coordination and production of all creative elements for BMG Video products. Simon Vaughan to director of acquisitions. Sara Cox to programming and acquisitions coordinator.

Cloud 9 Screen Entertainment (London, England, 44-171-243-0640): Harry Duffin to head of development. Duffin acts as lead writer and series script and story consultant.

Copyright Promotions (London, England, 44-171-580-7431): Jane Carpenter joins the promotions team as marketing executive, non-FMCG promotions and confectionery.

Energee Entertainment (Sydney, Australia, 61-2-9906-6800): Patrick (Paddy) Conroy to the board of directors.

ITEL (London, England, 44-171-491-1441): Chris Fletcher to head of sales, London. Fletcher continues to handle sales in Latin America, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Russia as well as heading up the U.K.-based sales team. Peter Pas to VP, sales and programming. Glen Hansen to sales manager. Jane Millichip to sales manager. Millichip is responsible for French-speaking territories, Africa, the U.K. and Eire. Mike Morris to head of marketing and business development. Morris is responsible for the marketing of ITEL and its programming worldwide and continues the development of advertiser-funded programming, publishing, licensing and new technology.

Saban Entertainment United Kingdom (London, England, 44-171-381-1113): Jackie Ferguson to managing director of the new Saban Entertainment subsidiary. The London office is responsible for the licensing, merchandising and administration of promotional rights for all Saban products throughout the U.K.