Paris-based Marathon has promoted David Michel from creative director to svp of animation. He will be responsible for new business development, especially North American activities. Michel will also continue exec. producing Marthon’s flagship series, Martin Mystery and Totally Spies, which he co-created with fellow exec. producer Vincent Chalvon-Demersay.

Michel has also been writing some of the episodes and has developed all in-house animated series since he joined Marathon in 1999, as well as establishing a brand identity for these productions along with Chalvon-Demersay and artistic director Stephane Berry.

Michel came to Marathon from Fox Kids France where as a programming exec he helped create the channel’s programming policy and on-air branding, which he started on before the channel’s launch in fall 1997. He joined Fox Kids as a research manager doing ratings analysis, created in-house focus groups for programs and did on-air promos tracking.

Marathon was founded in 1990 by Olivier Brémond and Pascal Breton. In 1999, Chalvon-Demersay joined the Group in order to develop animation production. Marathon International, which was also created in 1990, is the Group's international sales division; it distributes both Marathon's programs and acquisitions from other producers around the world. Thórunn Anspach heads this company. For more information, visit www.marathon.fr.