Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) has appointed two key executives, Ross Pollack as svp of business development, Asia, and John Fukunaga, svp of sales planning.

Andrew Maltz, former president/ceo of Avica Technology Corp., has been named director of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' new Science and Technology Council.

DC Comics has named Gregory Noveck to the newly formed post of svp, creative affairs. He will oversee the exploitation of the DC characters in feature films and television at Warner Bros. and New Line as well as developing outside creative alliances. The bi-coastal exec will report to DC publisher and president Paul Levitz.

Michael Lynton was named chairman/ceo of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), filling the coveted position vacated by the retiring John Calley. In addition, vice chairman Amy Pascal was promoted to chairman of the Motion Picture Group at SPE in a further integration of global businesses and digital media, according to Howard Stringer, chairman/ceo of Sony Corp. of America and vice chairman of Sony Corp. Lynton, who had been president, Time Warner International; president, AOL International, and ceo, AOL Europe, since 2000, will be headquartered in Culver City, California.

TV Industry vet Linda Mancuso, svp, head of programming, ABC Family Channel, died Dec. 7, 2003 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles after a seven-year battle with cancer at the age of 44.

“Linda made so many contributions to our industry. Her love of the creative process, talent and her team, were inspiring to everyone who came in contact with her,” said Anne Sweeney, president, ABC Cable Networks Group and Disney Channel Worldwide. “We will remember her warmth, humor and generosity of spirit forever.”

Buena Vista International Inc. upped four of its key marketing and publicity exec directors to vp: Maggie Todd (international publicity), Donald Evans (marketing and promotions), Mari Gastineau (marketing/creative print services) and Ticole Richards (marketing/creative film services).

Animation exec Toper Taylor and longtime USC School Of Fine Arts supporter Putter Pence have been named co-chairs has named of the University of Southern California School of Fine Arts Board of Councilors for a two-year term beginning January 2004. At the same time, Craig Jacobson and Ann Ehringer have been appointed to serve as councilors on the 12-person board for three-year terms.

Samantha Maltin has been promoted to vp, business development, promotions marketing at Nickelodeon, responsible for developing on- and off-channel marketing and promotional opportunities for new business advertising sales partners and collaborating with Nickelodeon Ad Sales to secure non-traditional advertisers for the network. She also secures promotional partners for Nickelodeon Movies that can bring on- and off-channel support and leverage new or incremental media for the network.

Stage and voice actor Harry Goz passed away Sept. 6, 2003 at the age of 71 of cancer at a hospital in Manhasset, New York. Goz was the voice of Captain Murphy in the popular Adult Swim series SEALAB 2021, which airs on Cartoon Network

The co-creators of SEALAB 2021, Adam Reed and Matt Thompson, said in a statement, “We are devastated by the loss of our good friend, Harry Goz. Working with him was always sheer joy, and his talent was beyond compare. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, and we shall all miss him dearly.”

Online vet Paul Myers has been hired by Fox Kids U.K. as online producer, responsible for the overall look, feel and content of the Fox Kids U.K. Website (www.foxkids.co.uk), development of the company's corporate Website (www.foxkidseurope.com), with additional responsibilities for marketing and customer relationship management in order to drive registration, build site loyalty and attract new users.

Teri Weiss has been promoted from exec in charge of production to vp of Nick Jr., responsible for overseeing Nick Jr. signature shows, including DORA THE EXPLORER and BLUE'S CLUES plus several pilots in development.

"Teri's creativity and her dedication to diversity, combined with her keen planning and passion for children's television, will continue to be an asset at Nick Jr.," said Brown Johnson, evp of Nick Jr., to whom Weiss will continue to report in New York City.

Warner Bros. International TV Distribution has hired Jessica Pinto for the newly created post of director of animation marketing. She will head the creative side of the new international Kids WB! blocks, in addition to managing sales and marketing presentations for programs the company distributes to other foreign networks. Previously, she served as vp, programming & scheduling for the Kids' WB! Pinto will be based in Burbank and report to Warner Bros. TV creative services svp Lisa Gregorian.

Wim Stocks has been promoted at Atari as evp, responsible for sales, licensing, marketing, distribution and logistics in North America, Latin/South America, Australia and the Pacific Rim region.

The new ASIFA Int’l Board, consisting of the representatives of 14 national and regional groups and offices met Nov. 15, 2003 in Espinho, Portugal during the CINANIMA 2003 festival to elect new officers. They are:
President: Noureddin Zarrinkelk (Iran)
VP/contact person for Asia: Sayoko Kinoshita (Japan)
VP/contact person for Europe: Thomas Renoldner (Austria)
Secretary General: Vesna Dovnikovic (Croatia)
Treasurer: Carol Beecher (Canada)
Editor of ASIFA NET: Thomas Renoldner (Austria)

Len Cochrane, president of TELETOON, and Hillary Firestone, VP Network Marketing and Promotions have brought on two new directors to the Canadian cartoon channel. Renee Gluck is the new director of creative services, replacing Gervais Vignola, who continues with TELETOON in a consulting role. Susan Nakhle is director of communications, filling in for Pascale Guillotte, who is on maternity leave until September 2004.

Danixa Diaz has joined creative branding firm 3 Ring Circus as exec producer, responsible for new business development and global marketing for the agency.

Regarding her joining the company, Sideropoulos said, "Danixa brings to 3 Ring Circus many years of expertise and the right personality mix. We are very sensitive as to how we approach our business development process. Danixa's personable and friendly approach, combined with her knowledge of the industry, really fits our style," said ceo John Sideropoulos.

Paul Robinson, svp of worldwide programming strategy for ABC Cable Networks Group and svp/md of Disney U.K. branded television is leaving the Walt Disney Co. to pursue new opportunities.

Close on the heels of Roy Disney’s resignation from the Walt Disney Co., Stanley P. Gold today, Dec. 1, 2003, sent the following letter of resignation to the Walt Disney board of directors. Gold, 60, worked with Roy Disney in 1984 to save the company from a takeover attempt and install Eisner as chairman. Gold heads Shamrock Holdings, which manages Roy Disney's investments.

The text of Gold’s letter follows:

December 1, 2003

To the Board of Directors of the Walt Disney Company:

Andy Bird leaves Warner’s TBS International to join Walt Disney as the new president of Walt Disney International effective January 12, 2004. The U.K. native will be based in Burbank, California.

“From a strategic perspective, one of Disney’s most significant long-term growth opportunities resides in markets outside of the United States, and it is crucial that the company continue to have a well-coordinated approach to business development around the world,” said Michael Eisner, Disney chairman/ceo.

Jonathan Brandis, who landed numerous roles as a child actor in television, commercials and film, including THE NEVERENDING STORY 2: THE NEXT CHAPTER, SEAQUEST DSV and was the voice of Mozenrath on DISNEY’S ALADDIN TV series (1993), took his own life at the age of 27 and died Nov. 12, 2003 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.