Digital Artists Agency, which represents visual effects professionals for work in feature films, television and commercials, has hired former visual effects supervisor Janet Muswell as an artists' representative. Since relocating to the United States from Great Britain, Muswell has held visual effects artist staff positions with The Post Group and Digital Magic. She was visual effects supervisor on projects such as the 1996 television mini-series TITANIC and the Sci-Fi Channel series THE INVISIBLE MAN. Most recently she served as director of visual effects for the Livewire Television group.

Marilyn Rebman, former HR director for Westwood/EA, has joined Virtual Search, Inc., a game industry recruiting firm. In her new role as recruiter, Rebman will continue to utilize her more than two decades of HR experience in bringing the right person to the right position. Prior to joining Westwood, Rebman owned her own HR consulting firm, working with a variety of clients and established companies to lead their hiring initiatives. Today, however, her focus is clearly on the game industry. "This industry is in a league of its own -- cutting-edge, challenging and fun all at the same time.

Award-winning stop-motion animator Billy Greene was found shot dead just outside of his apartment in the 4300 block of Adeline St. in Emeryville, California on September 10, 2001. He was 33 years old. Police say there was evidence the killer tried to remove his wallet, but had fled without it or its contents. His body was found just after midnight. No suspects were seen and no arrests have been made.

As part of the company's transition from video game hardware manufacturer to platform-agnostic third party publisher, Sega of America is expanding its marketing organization into two focused divisions -- sports and entertainment properties. Sega will also begin hiring personnel immediately into the expanded marketing organization. To this end, Sega announced the addition of Mike Fischer to the Sega marketing team as group director of product marketing for the entertainment division. Fischer brings more than eleven years of experience in video game marketing to Sega.

Twentieth Century Fox has united its international theatrical and international home entertainment units under the supervision of Stephen Moore. Moore has been president of Twentieth Century Fox, Home Entertainment International (TCFHEI) since June 1997. In his new position as president of Twentieth Century Fox International, Moore will continue to oversee TCFHEI and will also oversee the company's international theatrical marketing and distribution operations, which will continue to be managed by Scott Neeson, president, Twentieth Century Fox International Theatrical.

Gullane Entertainment, the UK-based developer and marketer of such children’s based entertainment as BRITT ALLCROFT'S MAGIC ADVENTURES OF MUMFIE and THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE AND FRIENDS, has named David Snyder senior vice president of entertainment as part of the company's ongoing expansion efforts. In this newly appointed position, Snyder will oversee Gullane Entertainment's global production, distribution and development activity and will be based in the company's New York office.

Marketing executive Michelle Hagen has joined Global Animation as vice president of marketing & business development. In this position, she will oversee the worldwide client development of Global Animation’s three principal companies: Spectrum Studios in Los Angeles, ImagineAsia and VirtualMagic ASIA in Manila, Philippines. Hagen comes to Global with 12 years of industry experience, having worked for some of Hollywood’s most successful studios.

Video game veteran RJ Mical has joined Fathammer as chief architect. Mical assumes the responsibility for designing the software architecture and development interface for Fathammer's mobile game engine, X-Forge. He will oversee the integration of third-party components as well as serve as a company spokesman and technology evangelist. Prior to joining Fathammer, Mical was vice president of software engineering at Red Jade. Mical is also credited with co-inventing the Atari Lynx handheld video game system and co-architecting the 3DO entertainment console.

Rick Krause has joined BOXX Technologies as president and chief executive officer, replacing former president and CEO Todd Bryant who has assumed the responsibility of chief technology officer. Krause brings with him more than 25 years experience in high technology business development and company team building.

Independent animation studio Wild Brain, Inc., has hired veteran animation director/designer Denis Morella. Prior to joining Wild Brain, Morella worked with Curious Pictures in San Francisco developing several pieces for Cartoon Network entitled ANIMATE YOUR WORLD, which won the "Best Animated Campaign" award at the World Animation Celebration. Morella also created and directed a 7-minute short for Cartoon Network called PRICKLES THE CACTUS. Highlights of commercial work include the design and direction of a stop-motion animation campaign for Best Buy and spots for Pringles, GTE and CBS.

Roy Oppenheim has been hired as a designer at broadcast and commercial design firm EyeballNYC. The designer came to New York in 2000 after having worked at several Israeli companies as a designer and design director. His U.S. freelance assignments included projects for Manhattan Transfer and FDG. Oppenheim brings to the company expertise in Photoshop, Freehand, Painter Lightwave, AfterEffects and Premier. "EyeballNYC caught my interest because I like the feeling of exploration and sharing. It seems like a relaxed working environment while still being innovative," said Oppenheim.

Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing North America has named Anita Frazier as the new vice president of kids sales. Frazier will oversee the development of sales strategies for the company's kids software titles for the PC platform. In her new post, Frazier will head retail sales and channel marketing for the kids software category, working closely with Knowledge Adventure, Syracuse Learning and affiliate label partners such as Scholastic Inc.

Jim Russell, artist for Australia's THE POTTS comic strip, passed away on August 15, 2001. He was 92 years old. Russell held the world record for the longest running comic strip done by one artist unaided. For 62 years, he drew THE POTTS, which was created in 1920 by Stan Cross and was handed over to Russell in 1939. In the 1950s, Russell decided to liven up the series with the creation of Uncle Dick, who became the star of the series and is widely regarded as Russell's alter ego. He was a member of the National Cartoonists' Society in the U.S.

REZN8, a digital design and communications firm, has announced that it has created an advisory board to help guide its business and to facilitate new market initiatives. The advisory board consists of five members from various disciplines who will provide input on strategic advice and direction to Paul Sidlo, founder and CEO of REZN8. Robert Block is co-founder, chairman and CEO of International Communication Technologies Inc. (ICT). His role will include advising on strategic corporate planning, technology developments and communication structuring and negotiations.

EM.TV & Merchandising's head of finance, Rolf Rickmeyer, is stepping down after less than a year with the German firm. Rumors say that Rickmeyer had various disagreements with Kirch Group, who helped bail out EM.TV from money woes a few months back. Marius Schwarz, head of finance for German exhibitor CinemaxX, will replace Rickmeyer. Prior to CinemaxX, Schwarz oversaw finance at Sat1, the Kirch-owned commercial TV channel. Former Kirch exec Werner Klatten is set to replace EM.TV founder and CEO Thomas Haffa in September.

Cartoon Network has named Jim Samples the new executive VP and general manager of Cartoon Network Worldwide. He will remain as the general manager of Cartoon Network's online division, which he took over in March 2000. He will succeed Cartoon Network founder, Betty Cohen, who moved over to AOL Time Warner to develop new shows for teens and young adults. Samples takes over a channel whose advertising revenues are speculated to grow from US$133.6 million in 2000 to $162.5 million this year.

Dave Barry, comedian and voice over actor, has passed away. He died on Thursday, August 16 at his Beverly Hills home. He was 82. Barry began his voice over work for Warner Bros. cartoons in the 1940s. He played Humphrey Bogart in BECALL TO ARMS (1946), SLICK HARE (1947) and 8 BALL BUNNY (1950). In 1958, Barry took over as the voice of Elmer Fudd after the death of Arthur Q. Bryan. He also voiced Bluto in POPEYE and also served in several PINK PANTHER shorts. He is survived by his wife, Ginny; a daughter, Wendy; and four sons, Alan, Dana, Kerry and Steve.

Brilliant Digital Entertainment has named hip-hop publisher Russell Simmons to its board of directors. Simmons' companies include Def Jam Entertainment, Phat Farm Clothing, Rush Communications and D-Rush, a joint venture with Deutsch Advertising. Simmons and his partner Stan Lathan are joint-ventured with Brilliant Digital in Digital Hip Hop, a Los Angeles-based digital production company. In addition, Brilliant Digital has announced that president Kevin Bermeister will also assume the additional role of CEO. Mark Dyne, the former CEO, will remain the company's chairman.

Gary Sproule has been named vice president of finance and chief financial officer at Disney Interactive. He will oversee the worldwide finance function for the company, including strategic planning, controllership, operations, administration and information technology. Sproule joins Disney Interactive from Whatshotnow.com, where he was the chief financial officer and chief operating officer. Prior to Whatshotnow.com, Sproule was chief financial officer at both Magnet Interactive Communications and Electek Group.

Lorenzo Music, famous for providing his voice to Garfield, passed away on Saturday, August 4. He was 64 years old, and suffered from cancer. Music started in the entertainment industry as a writer on classic sitcoms like SMOTHERS BROTHERS COMEDY HOUR, THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW and THE BOB NEWHART SHOW. While working as a writer on RHODA, Music lent his voice talents as the unseen, perpetually intoxicated doorman, Carlton. He even went on to voice the pilot episode of the animated spin-off series CARLTON, YOUR DOORMAN, which failed to be picked up but won an Emmy for best animated special.