Award-winning producer/director Sheldon Lazarus, formerly of Planet
24 and BSkyB, has joined Fox Kids Europe N.V. (FKE) as head of FKE's
newly created pan-European special programming department. This new
department, the first of its kind for FKE, will centralize
development of entertainment programming for FKE's European network
of channels. As head of special programming, Lazarus will oversee a
team of three and will develop global concepts, targeting local
tastes and needs within each territory, using content ranging from

Gail
Schenbaum and Karen DiNoto have joined the Los Angeles-based creative
department of Big Idea Productions. Gail Schenbaum has been appointed
senior vice president of creative affairs, responsible for
identifying and developing live-action and animated family feature
films, direct-to-video and television projects. Schenbaum brings with
her nearly 20 years of experience in the film and television
production arena. Most recently she was a producer and creative
consultant for a number of companies, including Pearson UK,

Marvel Enterprises, Inc. has appointed Kenneth P. West, 44, as executive vice president and chief financial officer. In his new capacity, West will be responsible for managing all financial and treasury functions, bank relationships and conducting internal and industry analysis to support the company's goals for growth. He will also play an important role in Marvel's expanded investor relations initiatives and developing strategies to enhance the company's capital structure.

Wade Howie will be joining Ottawa-based animation studio NOITAMINANIMATION as production director, beginning July 1, 2002. In his new position, Wade will be helping grow the studio's commercials, FX and features divisions. Wade joins NOITAMINANIMATION from ILM where he spent 5 1/2 years, first as an animator in CG features then later in ILM's commercial production unit, where he worked on spots for Pepsi, McDonald's, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2 and Duracell, as well as trailers and music videos.

Zilpha Yost was recently promoted to president of Vinton Studios’ advertising division overseeing all aspects of Vinton’s commercial business, including sales, marketing, creative and production. Yost has been with Vinton Studios since 1992, when she joined the company as a producer. She was promoted to senior producer, where she took charge of the M&M's campaign, then executive producer. In 2000, she was promoted to head of commercial production, where she directed creative operations of the studios’ advertising division.

U.K.-based animation producer Telemagination has promoted Denise Green to the position of producer and hired Claire Watson as production manager. In her new capacity as Telemagination’s only in-house producer, Denise Green will have full responsibility for all productions running through the studio. Current projects include SOMETHING ELSE (26 x 11 minutes) and PONGWIFFY (26 x 11 minutes). She originally joined Telemagination as production manager in January 2001. Claire Watson has joined Telemagination as production manager and oversees all of Telemagination’s production work.

Recently launched 3D animation and digital effects studio Sway has brought on Michael Adamo as executive producer. Adamo had been consulting for the company since January 2002. In his new role as executive producer, Adamo brings to Sway extensive character animation experience. Previously, Adamo worked at Zeros & Ones, Inc., where he served as producer and a director of the 26-episode Web series, JULIUS & FRIENDS. Adamo was also co-founder of AMPnyc Animation, where he produced and co-directed the seven spot campaign, "Happy Action Fun Time on ESPN" for NCAA basketball on ESPN.

Nelvana's Toper Taylor has been promoted to president of international distribution, marketing and consumer products with responsibilities for Nelvana’s extensive portfolio of brands. Taylor also remains president of Nelvana Communications, the Los Angeles-based sales and development office of Nelvana Ltd. Adding to his current responsibilities, Taylor’s new role is to unify all distribution, licensing and merchandise sales activities under one structure that will be focused on maximizing Nelvana’s roster of brands.

Director Marco Bertoldo has joined San Francisco-based animation production company Mondo Media. In his new position, Bertoldo will assume creative responsibilities for Mondo Media’s 3D animation division. Bertoldo is best known for his 3D short GONE BAD, which was featured at the Sundance Online Film Festival 2001 and 2002, and recently won the animation category for the Alice Radio 3-Minute Film Festival. Previously, Marco Bertoldo worked as a freelance animation director for Mondo Media, supervising projects for clients such as Fox Interactive, Activision, Crystal Dynamics and 3DO.

Oscar-nominated animation director Chris Bailey has joined visual effects studio Cinesite Hollywood in the newly created role of director of animation. Prior to joining Cinesite, Bailey was director of animation at Dream Quest Images and supervised animation for such features as INSPECTOR GADGET, MIGHTY JOE YOUNG and HOCUS POCUS. He was employed at Walt Disney Studios as an animator from the mid-1980s to the early '90s, where he worked on many high-profile features including HERCULES, THE LION KING and THE LITTLE MERMAID.