Seasoned licensing exec Antonella Ceraso has joined Planeta Junior as country manager for Spain and Portugal, where she will develop the company’s strategy in tandem with this year’s launch of the Trolls and Heidi brands.

Previously, Ceraso held was country manager at Italy-based Rainbow, a role that saw her build the studio’s licensing activities across Europe, the US and Latin America. She also worked at Copyright Promotions Licensing Group (CPLG), where she managed relationships with rights holders such as DreamWorks Animation, Fox, Universal and MGM.

In her new role, Ceraso will report to Diego Ibáñez Belaustegui, international commercial director at Planeta Junior.

Her appointment follows last month’s alliance between Planeta Junior and Germany’s m4e that is designed to focus on co-production, distribution and consumer products, as well as strengthen business in Northern and Central Europe.

Since February 2014, Planeta Junior – in addition to investing in its own productions – has managed TV rights, licenses and promotions for DreamWorks Animation.