R!OT Design has appointed Jeremy Hollister to the post of creative director of broadcast design. Hollister will provide creative supervision for all design-related projects undertaken by the studio. An influential member of R!OT's design team since 1996, Hollister has won numerous Promax and BDA awards, as well as other design industry honors for his work for the Sci Fi Channel, ESPN, MTV and other accounts. Most recently he has been signed by London-based production company SKUNK for worldwide representation in commercial and music video direction.

Visual effects, broadcast design and animation studio Click 3x has brought on Jim Collins to head the studio’s animation department. Formerly with the design boutique TZ, Collins has experience in animation, illustration and compositing, and has credits across a variety of media. His experience is particularly strong in broadcast graphics, having recently completed projects for NBC, CBS News, CNBC, MSNBC, Fox, ESPN, Sci Fi Channel and CNNSI. He also has numerous credits in commercials.

Portland, Oregon-based Vinton Studios has hired John RA Benson to manage the studios' computer animation department, where he will oversee all aspects of Vinton's CG production. Before joining Vinton Studios, Benson spent five years as the head of computer animation in the commercial division of ILM. Prior to that, he spent four years supervising traditionally and digitally animated productions at San Francisco's Colossal Pictures.

Gullane Entertainment has named Bill Gross senior vice president, brand strategy. In this newly created position, Gross will oversee, expand and manage Gullane Entertainment's portfolio of global brands and will also oversee the development of new ones. Most recently, Gross was co-founder, president and CEO of Cartoon Pizza. On behalf of Cartoon Pizza, Gross initiated a distribution relationship for educational content with Sesame Workshop, as well as a relationship with Gullane Entertainment. Gross will be based in Gullane Entertainment's New York office.

David Stainton has been upped from his current position of executive vice president to president, Walt Disney Television Animation. Stainton's responsibilities include overseeing the day-to-day operations for the division's animated television series and specials, Disney video premieres and February theatrical features (sequels like RETURN TO NEVER LAND). He continues to report to Thomas Schumacher, head of Walt Disney Television Animation and Walt Disney Feature Animation, in his new position.

Santa Monica-based visual effects house Company 3 has hired Henry artist and visual effects supervisor Alex Brodie and visual effects producer Christine Carr. Both arrive from 525 Post Production, which curtailed operations in December. Brodie has a list of high profile credits in music videos and commercials including recent efforts like the Garbage music video "Cherry Lips," which featured an "invisible" band. In the spot, Brodie removed the band’s heads and limbs to make it appear as though empty suits were playing guitars and other instruments.

Richard W. Cook has been promoted to chairman of The Walt Disney Studios where he will head production for Walt Disney, Touchstone and Hollywood Pictures. In addition, he will be responsible for worldwide distribution and marketing for live-action and feature animated films, worldwide home entertainment operations and the studio's legal and business affairs. He will report to both Disney chairman and CEO Michael D. Eisner, and Disney president and COO Robert A. Iger.

Entertainment group Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. has promoted Ken Faier to vice president, production, distribution and licensing, AAC Kids, the children’s label of Alliance Atlantis. In this new position, Faier will be responsible for developing and implementing the overall strategy for AAC Kids, including all aspects of production and distribution, as well as overseeing merchandising and licensing. Faier joined the company in 2000, heading up distribution for AAC Kids, working closely with production and merchandising and licensing. Prior to AAC Kids, Mr.

Family entertainment company Igel Media has appointed Victoria Valius as head of distribution. In her new role, Valius will head up the company's international television distribution division in London, overseeing all international sales. In addition, she will be actively looking to expand the company's catalogue and sourcing opportunities to co-produce quality programming in the company's key markets including Germany, France and the UK.

On March 1, 2002, Phil Roman will return to Film Roman Studios, the company best known for THE SIMPSONS. Roman’s existing company, Phil Roman Entertainment, will move to offices in the North Hollywood studios of Film Roman. Roman founded Film Roman in 1984, but resigned from his post as chairman of the company in February 1999 to set up a new studio, Phil Roman Entertainment. That company has produced the television Christmas specials THE GAUDINS and GRANDMA GOT RUN OVER BY A REINDEER and is currently in production on 26 episodes of HOWDI GAUDI.