Dotcomix Fills Key Positions

files/pictures/picture-35.jpgDotcomix, a San Francisco-based animation company, has recently added Beth Sandell as the chief operating officer, Edward Burke as general counsel and vice president of business affairs, Peter Katz as vice president of marketing, and BZ Petroff as head of production. "Dotcomix is committed to presenting the best in online entertainment and animation," said Damon Danielson, CEO of Dotcomix. "These new additions to the organization will allow us to continue that mission and they will be instrumental in the continued growth of the company as we expand into the television, cable, broadband and wireless realms." With nearly ten years experience in mergers and acquisitions for new media and emerging technologies companies, Sandell's goal as COO is to make Dotcomix into a first-tier organization. She was a key player in the successful IPO of such companies as Quokka Sports and Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. As general counsel and vice president of business affairs, Burke brings a diversified mix of a law and production background to Dotcomix. He was most recently associated with Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in New York, where he was one of the lead attorneys in the lawsuit involving the hacking of DVD encryption technology and the posting of encryption codes on the Internet. As vice president of marketing, Katz brings to the animation studio nearly 20 years of experience building online and offline brands in the high-tech arena, and has specialized exclusively in Internet marketing for the past six years. Prior to joining Dotcomix, Katz played an instrumental role in establishing SurfMonkey.com as a leading Internet portal for kids. He will be responsible for building the Dotcomix brand within the industry and obtaining consumer recognition of its properties, as well as providing strategic direction with the company's business plan. Previously, Petroff served as producer of visual effects for Sony Pictures' HOLLOW MAN, production supervisor of Disney and Pixar's A BUG'S LIFE and as department manager of animation and layout for Disney and Pixar's TOY STORY. As head of production, she will be responsible for heading animation production and providing a production structure that meets the needs of Dotcomix. In addition, Dotcomix also announced that co-founder Marc Scaparro has left the company to pursue other creative, entrepreneurial opportunities. "Marc's leadership and direction as co-founder, head of production and chief animation officer have been instrumental in establishing our company as an industry leader," Danielson said. "We wish him great success and look forward to possible future collaborations."