Target Distribution has changed its name to Target Entertainment to better reflect the company's growth from a distribution to a rights management outfit. Target has also completed a move into parent company CSS Stellar's offices in Covent Garden, London, as well as opening a U.S. base in CSS Stellar's New York offices. Overseeing the new venture is Ellen Lovejoy, who joins Target as president, Americas and Australia/New Zealand. In her new role, Lovejoy will largely focus on maintaining and increasing existing sales turnover, in addition to looking for new shows to build Target's expanding portfolio of programming. In Lovejoy's previous position as sales manager with Mayfair Television Entertainment, she worked for Target founder Alison Rayson in building the company into one of the top independent distributors in the U.K. Most recently, she worked for Australian production and distribution company Beyond International, running their New York office as SVP, international sales. Under the new restructure Rayson, Targets founder and current managing director, becomes CEO. Raysons new mandate is to ensure Targets new licensing and U.S. division flourish, while maintaining growth in core areas such as television distribution. Rayson has brought on Alastair Thom as chief operating officer. Thom brings a wealth of experience in television distribution and production from his time with Endemol as finance director of central television. Further internal restructuring at Target will see Geraint Marsh take over day to day responsibility of the U.K.-based sales team and expand his territory management to include U.K. and Ireland. Launched in August 1998 by Alison Rayson, Target was initially set up to distribute drama, series formats and animation. In September 2002, entertainment and sports management and marketing company CSS Stellar bought a majority stake in Target, enabling the company to grow its core business in addition to developing a licensing and merchandising division. Its current line up of programming includes the Flash-animated series ANIMAL SCHOOL, from Elephant Egg, and new properties DAN DARE and MEG & MOG.
