DUCK studio has announced the signing of award-winning artist, Paul Vester, to its roster of commercial directors. British-born Vester is an experimental animator whose short films have netted him many international prizes as well as a Guggenheim Fellowship. He is working on his new film, IN THE WOODS, a mix of 2D and 3D digital animation, which will be produced at DUCK.

"To be able to work with an artist of the caliber of Paul Vester is great for our entire studio. We’re thrilled to have him aboard," said DUCK president, Roger Chouinard.

Dr. Andreas Meissner has joined the Supervisory Board of EM.TV & Merchandising AG, replacing Dr. Ralph Wollburg who resigned his seat due to additional commitments in his full-time occupation as a lawyer. Meissner, a lawyer, had various sojourns abroad in places such as France and Saudi Arabia before he began working for Taylor Wessing in 1988, where he has been a partner of the law firm since 1992.

Gaming industry veteran Scott K. Tsumura has been named svp of Japan/Asia business strategy at Amaze Entertainment and exec studio director of Amaze Entertainment's BlackShip Games. Tsumura was president of Nintendo Software Technology Corp. managing the production of a variety of Nintendo games, such as POKEMONPUZZLE LEAGUE. A native of Japan, Tsumura has more than 25 years of gaming industry experience in both the U.S. and Japan.

Jason Dravis has been made partner in the Monteiro Rose Agency, now to be the Monteiro Rose Dravis Agency, Inc. in Encino, California. Dravis joined the agency in 1995 as an assistant and rapidly advanced to agent.
Dravis' clients have included Eddie Guzulian (LILO AND STITCH 2, KIM POSSIBLE), Mark Drop (RECESS, LLOYD IN SPACE), Madeline Paxson, (LILO AND STITCH THE SERIES, PEPPERANN), Scott Fellows (FAIRLY ODDPARENTS, NED'S DECLASSIFIED SCHOOL SURVIVAL GUIDE) and Peafur Productions (AAAGH! IT'S THE MR. HELL SHOW, BOUNTY HAMSTER).

Starz Encore Group LLC (Starz Encore) has promoted Eric W. Becker from director to exec director of corporate communications, overseeing publicity for Starz Encore business, finance, technology, affiliate marketing, and consumer marketing public relations activities.

Richard Marks joins Universal Network Television as vp of business affairs, it was announced by Neil Strum, exec vp of Universal Television Productions. Marks will be responsible for business affairs for the Universal series THE AGENCY and THE DISTRICT, as well as pilots ABOUT A BOY, SLICE O' LIFE and KAREN SISCO.

Side Effects Software (SESI), developer of the award-winning Houdini family of 3D software, has made a number of new hires and executive promotions to support what the company says is the rapid growth of the Houdini community.

HD video and VFX editor Bob Williamson has joined Encore Hollywood just in time to complete final post work on the CBS-TV series JAG. He joins a team of senior editors at Encore that also includes Rob Williams, Paul Bonnette, Mark Sherman, Jonathan Slater and Michael Hutchison.

Carl's Fine Films, a San Francisco-based commercial animation company, has signed director Henry Selick to its staff of commercial directors. Animation superstar Selick's credits include THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH and MONKEYBONE. Among other successful ad campaigns, he created the original MTV station IDs. He has won top prizes at Annecy, Ottawa and the Annies plus NIGHTMARE was nominated for an Academy Award for best special effects.

New York City-based Animation Collective, Inc., has appointed Aundrea DeFur to the newly created position of head of production. She will oversee the studio's production slate and manage client relationships.