Finn Arnesen has been promoted from programming development chief of Cartoon Network Europe to head program production for Cartoon Network International with responsibility for all areas outside the U.S. The CN exec will be kept exceptionally busy with Cartoon Network’s recent commitment of more than $500 million over five years (2003-2007) to produce original animated programming.

Christopher Keenan has been promoted from vp to svp of creative affairs for Warner Bros. Animation, it was announced by Sander Schwartz, president of WBA. Keenan will be responsible for developing new animated television series, made-for-video projects, animated specials and cartoon shorts, as well as supervising production of television series. He will continue to report directly to Schwartz.

Asbury Communications, a boutique public relations, marketing and promotions firm, has named Melissa Kellogg to the new position of director of marketing. She will be responsible for heading up the agency’s newly formed marketing services division, which includes supervising publicity, promotion, advertising and live events production for Asbury's clientele.

Anne Gorfinkel has been promoted to the newly created position of vp/exec director of Educational Outreach, for the nonprofit educational organization Sesame Workshop. She will be responsible for creating and delivering needs-driven public service initiatives that reach beyond television, and into local communities, schools, health and childcare settings in the U.S. and around the world.

Visual effects compositor John Scheer has joined Company 3 Los Angeles, which has stepped up its involvement in high-def TV commercials and VFX production for feature films. Prior to taking this staff position, Scheer freelanced under the name Scheer FX. His credits include spots for DirectTV (Deutsch, Los Angeles) and Miller Lite (Ogilvy & Mather, Chicago). Scheer was previously on staff at 525 Studios, where he worked on music videos for Destiny's Child, Elton John, Sisqó and Leann Rimes.

Cosgrove Hall co-founder Mark Hall has followed in his partner ‘s (Brian Cosgrove) footsteps, announcing his official retirement, July 17, 2003, from the company he started 27 years ago in Manchester, England. He helped make the company into one of the most prolific animation studios in the world and a winner of numerous international and national awards including six BAFTAs and three International Emmys.

Five new governors, four of them first-timers, plus nine incumbents have been elected by their branches to represent them on the board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, beginning August, 1, 2003.

Incumbent governors Richard Edlund, visual effects, and Jon Bloom, short films and feature animation, were re-elected, along with Ed Begley Jr., actors branch; Jeannine Oppewall, art directors; Michael Mann, directors; Arthur Dong, documentary; Dede Allen, film editors; Cheryl Boone Isaacs, public relations; and Frank Pierson, writers.

Award-winning Illustrator/animator Jeff Drew joins DUCK’s roster of directors available for commercial work. Drew is known for numerous animated television spots that have appeared in the New Mexico area, giving the local market a funky twist, as well for several "in-house" animations for Marshall Field's in Chicago. His illustrations have appeared in a number of American magazines, and he recently created a series of posters for the Target Corp., promoting literacy for kids.

JadooWorks Animation Studio’s coo Ashish Kulkarni has been elected to the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences as an associate member. He was elected by a majority vote from the full board of directors of the Television Academy to serve a two-year term. In his role representing animation, he will help to organize Academy activities, such as judgings and panels, and will participate in the various sub-committees.

Anne A. Chen has joined Oregon3D as vp of business development and cfo. As part of her new post, Chen will head the branding and revenue streams for Oregon3D's training center and visualization services.