Children’s entertainment producer and rights-owner HIT Entertainment, which was acquired by Mattel in October 2011 for US$680 million, will be losing President and CEO, Jeffrey Dunn, and COO Sangeeta Desai following the closing of the acquisition, which was slated “to close in early 2012” at the time of purchase.

Dunn, who led the company since March 2008, will exit immediately after the acquisition is closed, and Desai, who has been HIT’s COO since 2009, will leave after a short transition period.

During their time at HIT, Dunn and Desa helped grow the company’s brands including preschool IP Thomas & Friends, which has found success is in the UK, US and Asia, Mike the Knight, which has a number of new licensees and sales to broadcasters worldwide, and preschool brand Fireman Sam, which has Copyright Promotions Licensing Group (CPLG) on board as its new licensing agent in Germany to produce L&M opportunities across all categories. New toys, figures, playsets and vehicles, will be distributed by toyco Tomy this year.

The Fireman Sam CGI-animated TV series airs in more than 100 territories worldwide and in Germany on pubcaster KIKA.