Cookie Jar Entertainment, the entertainment arm of Cookie Jar Group, is expanding its U.S. Operations with the appointment of Lisa Tanzer to vp, U.S. marketing, and André Lake Mayer to vp, U.S. licensing.
Cookie Jar is expanding operations in the U.S. to meet the growing success of the companys new hit series, THE DOODLEBOPS. This summer, THE DOODLEBOPS consistently claimed the #1 slot in kids 2-5 in Disney Channels 6:30 am timeslot Monday-Friday, and 7:30 am on Saturdays and Sundays. Disney also airs THE DOODLEBOPS daily at 9:00 am and Tuesday-Friday at 11:30 am.
We are extremely pleased to welcome these two highly skilled entertainment professionals to our licensing and marketing teams, said Toper Taylor, president/coo, Cookie Jar Ent. Under the direction of team leaders John Gildea and Kelly Elwood, Lake Mayer and Tanzer will play pivotal roles in the success of Cookie Jars growing roster of high-profile brands in the global marketplace.
Tanzers responsibilities include strategic planning and the expansion of the companys brand marketing initiatives. She reports to svp of marketing, Kelly Elwood. Among her first projects, she will develop new marketing initiatives and strategic partnerships for THE DOODLEBOPS.
Lake Mayer will oversee all areas of domestic licensing and merchandising for the growing profile of childrens brands with an emphasis on soft lines in partnership with John Gildea, svp, consumer products.
Tanzer, with more than 15 years of senior level marketing and branding experience was most recently vp, marketing for SmarterKids.com, an early leader in the online toy space. Previously, she was director of marketing for Hasbro Inc., responsible for the global product development and marketing for the Preschool Division, which includes the Playskool, Mr. Potato Head, Lincoln Logs and Tinkertoy brands. Tanzer also held marketing and strategy positions at The Gillette Co. and Staples Inc.
Lake Mayer joins Cookie Jar Ent. with a 20-year track record in entertainment and lifestyle brand licensing, marketing and consumer products. Most recently, she operated her own marketing and licensing agency, Twister Sisters Inc., with clients, including By Kids For Kids, Turner Classic Movies, TBS Superstation and Battle Bots. Previously, she was director of licensing for Lucasfilm Ltd., where she spearheaded the strategy and launch plan for the Star Wars brand franchise and the release of STAR WARS: EPISODE I, managing all domestic partnerships and industry sectors from toys to apparel, and packaged goods to retail.
Prior to Lucasfilm, Ltd., Lake Mayer was exec director of licensing for Viacom Consumer Products, responsible for the strategic planning and monetization of all Paramount Pictures film, television and corporate assets. Lake Mayer has negotiated and managed hundreds of licensing relationships, generating sales of more than one-half billion dollars at retail in a broad range of product categories.
Cookie Jar Ent. Inc., The Cookie Jar Groups entertainment operation, is a leading global, independent producer and marketing and brand manager of such renowned childrens properties as THE DOODLEBOPS, GERALD MCBOING BOING, ARTHUR and CAILLOU. Combining globally-renowned intellectual properties with an industry-recognized management, Cookie Jar Ent. Inc. is a market-driven, brand-building company that is committed to children first and foremost and is dedicated to the development and production of quality programming that embraces the whole child, with animated and live-action series that entertain, inspire and enlighten children and families worldwide.
Headquartered in Montreal, The Cookie Jar Group (www.thecookiejarcompany.com) develops, produces, distributes and markets childrens published content, animated and live-action programming and innovative educational and entertainment-driven products worldwide. The group of companies consists of Cookie Jar Ent. Inc. and Cookie Jar Education Inc., as well as a 20% interest in TELETOON Canada Inc., Canadas only all animation broadcaster.
