Jim Henson Co. Restarts Consumer Products Division

The Jim Henson Company is relaunching its consumer products division and has appointed Melissa Segal to the new position of SVP, Global Consumer Products. Segal joins The Jim Henson Company from Brandolution, an innovative licensing and product development agency which she founded in 2006. For the past year, Brandolution has represented Henson, helping to build the licensing program for its new digital puppet preschool series, SID THE SCIENCE KID, a co-production of The Jim Henson Company and Los Angeles-based KCET.

Along with SID THE SCIENCE KID, which expects to see first products in fall 2009, properties also handled in Segal's new division include DINOSAUR TRAIN, a new preschool animated series set to premiere on PBS KIDS in fall 2009, and THE SKRUMPS, an animated troupe of characters based on the successful collectible toy line. Segal's internal group will also manage the licensing for the company's well-known fantasy brands including LABYRINTH, THE DARK CRYSTAL and FARSCAPE as well as the company's stable of classic properties like EMMET OTTER'S JUG BAND CHRISTMAS when the company's current administration agreement with HIT Ent. expires early this year. Central to that effort will be the 1980's puppet series FRAGGLE ROCK, a fan favorite that currently has both film and television projects in development and recently had a highly successful collector DVD release. Additionally, Segal's Brandolution agency will be renamed Brandolution JHC and become a new banner of The Jim Henson Company that will continue to represent Segal's current, as well as new, third party licensing properties.

"This is an exciting time for our company," said Peter Schube, President and COO. "Our wonderful new properties are driving the relaunch of a dynamic internal consumer products division that will also enable us to focus renewed attention on our classic brands. I can't think of a more ideal executive to head this effort than Melissa, who has already been instrumental in helping us secure key partners for both SID THE SCIENCE KID and DINOSAUR TRAIN. It was a great discovery to learn that Melissa already has an inherent 'Henson sensibility' that blends seamlessly with both our classic properties and our many projects in development. I'm personally so excited about the prospect of working with her as we grow this part of our business once again."

Segal has 18 years experience as a consumer products and brand marketing specialist. During eight years at Disney Consumer Products, she worked on initiatives for such brands as WINNIE THE POOH, 101 DALMATIANS and TOY STORY, rising to the position of VP of the U.S. toy business. Following her tenure at Disney, Segal served as SVP for MOMMY AND ME, helping build the start-up prior to its acquisition by DIC Ent. In 2003, she co-founded Evergreen Concepts, an independent licensing agency which represented numerous A-level brands such as Build-A-Bear Workshop, Alvin & the Chipmunks, Little Golden Books, and Pat the Bunny. After selling Evergreen Concepts in 2005, Segal launched Brandolution in 2006.