Ronnie Cook has been named md of Fox Kids Europes consumer products division, Active Licensing Europe where he will co-ordinate all of FKE's pan-European consumer products activities, including home video, working closely with Fox Kids' local mds.
"Ronnie has over 15 years of extensive experience, said Bruce Steinberg, chairman/ceo, FKE, and a well rounded background that encompasses licensing, theatrical, advertising, promotions, creative and product development at an international level. I am confident that, with his expertise, the division will continue to expand and excel in its position as a leading player in the licensing industry."
Cook was contracted as a consultant to The Television Corp. plc, where, as head of consumer brands, his responsibilities included marketing and management of the ROBOT WARS brand. He has held posts at BKN International as svp, international sales and marketing; at Saban Ent. as director of international where he managed international sales and development for the POWER RANGERS brand; and at Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. where he helped launch and build THE SIMPSONS internationally into one of the world's leading properties.
FKE's consumer product activities include toys, merchandising and home videos sold in 30 European countries. FKE has local consumer product operations in the U.K., France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Russia, Spain and Benelux and also retains third-party agents in other European markets. FKE's consumer product properties are sourced from the FKE library and include well-known properties such as GADGET & THE GADGETINIS as well as third-party agreements for properties such as PUCCA, FLEA-BAG & FRIENDS, SHIN CHAN, MEDABOTs and TOTALLY SPIES.
"FKE's consumer products division is already a very competitive pan-European business, said Cook, and I look forward to strengthening its position even further by working closely with Bruce and the entire FKE team to capitalize on our expanding opportunities through new acquisitions, co-productions and third party properties."
FKE recently announced that Fox Kids Europe, Fox Kids Latin America and ABC CableNetworks Group will launch Jetix as the name for their joint kids programming alliance around the world, featuring original, acquired and library action/adventure series. Jetix programming will reach a combined 137 million television households in 77 countries and 18 languages. Fox Kids channels in Europe and the Middle East will begin airing Jetix programming blocks in April 2004, and will begin transitioning to Jetix-named channels beginning in fall 2004.FKE reports its channels reach more than 33 million households across Europe and the Middle East (57 countries in 17 languages), with a local channel in every major European market. For more, check out www.foxkidseurope.com.
