John Powers joins TOKYOPOP Inc. in Los Angeles as vp of marketing for North America's leading graphic novel publisher and a growing force in international entertainment with its numerous anime titles.

Iain Pelling, Cosgrove Hall Film’s md said he has decided to move on from the Manchester, U.K.-based animation company. Under his direction, the studio has become one of the leading animation companies in Europe. He spearheaded adding capabilities to the studio, including a CGI unit, Cosgrove Hall Digital, as well as new talent and better production management for its award-winning 2D and stop-frame production crews. Since he joined CHF in 1996, the studio has won three international and six national programming awards, plus one Childrens BAFTA and five BAFTA nominations.

COO Joan Vogelesang has been appointed president of Toon Boom Technologies Inc., replacing Jacques Bilodeau who has left the company. She now takes complete charge of the company's direction and will continue to spearhead sales, marketing and operations, according to Hubert Manseau, chairman of board. Regarding Bilodeu's departure, Manseau said, "The Board of Directors would like to thank Mr. Bilodeau for his past contributions at Toon Boom Technologies and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."

Industry vet Darren Frankel joins visual effects company Stargate Digital as vp in charge of post-production. He will supervise Stargate’s daily post-production operations, including editorial, artist hiring, facility management and scheduling. Stargate (www.stargatefilms.com) recently did 200 effects shots for USA Network’s HELEN OF TROY mini-series and creates effects for such highly-rated television series as CSI, CSI: MIAMI, ER, THIRD WATCH and CROSSING JORDAN.

David F. Zucker (40) has been named ceo/president of Midway Games Inc., replacing Neil D. Nicastro (46), Midway's chairman who has also stepped down as coo. Nicastro will continue as chairman of Midway's board of directors. The gaming company has not named a new coo.

Director Michele Band has joined Vee Pee Films, the live-action production division of Virtual Persuasion. Band was a director and producer at MTV Networks and Nickelodeon Studios where she did live-show production, new show launch campaigns, on-air promotions and high-profile celebrity interviews.

Mike Wald has been promoted from vp to svp of Worldwide Pay Television at Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI), reporting to Peter Iacono, evp of sales, SPTI. Wald will remain based at the studio's Culver City, California headquarters and continues to oversee all worldwide pay television activities for the studio, managing SPTI's relationships with major domestic and international pay television clients.

Expanding VFX and production facility Boy Wonder Visual Effects has added Emmy-winning VFX supervisor Tim Landry as creative director. Coming over from a nine-year stint with Dream Quest Images and Walt Disney's Secret Lab VFX facilities, he supervised such projects as GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE, THE SIXTH SENSE, SHANGHAI NOON, SNOW DOGS and HONEY, WE SHRUNK OURSELVES. Landry has joined Boy Wonder to help ramp up its production pipeline to meet the demands of its increasing client roster.

Buena Vista International Television (BVITV) has appointed Philippe Maigret svp of portfolio development. Maigret will be based in London and report directly to by Tom Toumazis, svp/md, BVITV EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa). Maigret is charged with implementing an acquisition and co-production strategy and focus on closer liaisoning with all internal and third party producer groups including Walt Disney Studios, Miramax, Touchstone Television and ABC Cable Network Groups as well as TV Animation.