The Jim Henson Company promotes executive team and hires Amy Takahara as the company’s new Director, Global Distribution, Sales.
Hollywood, CA -- With five of its preschool series airing simultaneously in various territories around the world and the growth of its third party distribution banner, The Jim Henson Company’s Executive Vice President of Global Distribution & International Consumer Products, Richard Goldsmith, announced the promotion of key staff for its global distribution business and the hiring of Amy Takahara as the company’s new Director, Global Distribution, Sales.
“The Jim Henson Company’s talent for developing fun, smart and engaging content for children continues to drive global demand from buyers for our programming,” said Goldsmith. “Thanks to the dedication of people like Karen Lee Arbeeny, Casie Friedman and Katie Mullins and our new addition to the team Amy Takahara, The Jim Henson Company has been able to enjoy tremendous success as we continue to expand our brands in the global market.”
Casie Friedman has been promoted to Senior Director, Global Distribution, Sales, responsible for worldwide home entertainment and digital sales. She started at the company’s Los Angeles office in October 2012 as Director, Global Distribution, Sales. Prior to joining the Company, she worked in Paramount Pictures’ Home Media Distribution Group with an emphasis on video on demand sales and distribution.
Formerly the Manager of Distribution and Marketing at FremantleMedia Kids and Family Entertainment, Amy Takahara joins The Jim Henson Company as Director, Global Distribution, Sales. With over a decade of executive experience in the global film and television industry, Takahara brings a depth of knowledge following her work on strong current brands. Takahara is a Graduate of the University of California at Santa Cruz and holds a Bachelor of Political Science degree.
Katie Mullins, who joined The Jim Henson Company in February 2014 as an Assistant, Global Distribution, has been promoted to Coordinator, Global Distribution, supporting Richard Goldsmith. Mullins graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Television, Radio and Film in May 2013.
The recent promotions and new addition are the result of a restructure that started with the previous promotion of Karen Lee Arbeeny to Vice President, Business Operations, Global Distribution, who had joined the Company in March 2012. Based in The Jim Henson Company’s Los Angeles headquarters, her responsibilities include oversight of contract negotiations, business systems and client servicing within the global distribution group of the Company. Previously, Arbeeny held various posts with NBC Universal, Comcast International Media Group and produced and directed independent and documentary films.
Currently airing in various territories across the globe are The Jim Henson Company’s preschool series Hi Opie!, Dinosaur Train, Doozers, Sid the Science Kid and Pajanimals. Also on air and represented under the HIP (Henson Independent Properties) third party banner are Lily’s Driftwood Bay produced by Northern Ireland’s Sixteen South, and Elias: Rescue Team Adventures, produced by Norway’s Animando in partnership with Iceland’s CAOZ Animation.
Source: The Jim Henson Company
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
