The Jim Henson Company expands the role of the newly appointed Global VP Richard Goldsmith with the addition of the company’s international consumer products business.
Los Angeles, CA -- International growth at The Jim Henson Company has led to an expanded role for Richard Goldsmith, recently appointed as Executive Vice President of Global Distribution and International Consumer Products, adding the company’s international consumer products business to his distribution responsibilities. The announcement was made by Peter Schube, President and COO, to whom Goldsmith reports.
Goldsmith, who joined The Jim Henson Company in September 2011, has been instrumental in guiding the growth of the company’s worldwide distribution efforts for all of its properties across all media (television, home entertainment, current and emerging digital platforms) in both the domestic and international marketplace. By expanding Goldsmith’s responsibilities to include oversight of its international consumer products business, the company is creating greater cohesion and synergy among all of its partners in the global marketplace.
“Empowering Richard to forge stronger relationships between our media partners and our licensing partners will yield the level of collaboration that is so crucial in today’s integrated, dynamic marketplace,” said Schube in making the announcement. “In the three years that Richard has been directing our global distribution efforts, he has demonstrated a keen ability to develop and grow our partner relationships as well as enhance our brand positioning, which will surely be of benefit as he creates, develops and expands the company’s important licensing programs worldwide.”
Supporting Goldsmith in the development and management of international consumer products programs is former Walt Disney Company executive Francesca Stobbe, who joins The Jim Henson Company in the role of Executive Director of International Consumer Products.
Both Goldsmith and Stobbe will be representing The Jim Henson Company at Brand Licensing Europe (BLE), held in London from October 7 through 9, where the company will be exhibiting for the first time.
“We have a lot of momentum heading into BLE with five Henson preschool series on air in numerous territories across the globe, and two additional third party properties we represent under our HIP --Henson Independent Properties -- banner also currently in multiple territories,” commented Goldsmith. “With all of our current brand activities in the region, and the addition of Francesca to the team to manage our international efforts, the time is right for us to have a presence at BLE to meet with and update licensees and retailers.”
In addition to the company’s stable of popular and evergreen properties, the primary focus for The Jim Henson Company at BLE is on Dinosaur Train and Doozers, together with ongoing discussions with potential partners about Sid the Science Kid and Pajanimals, two of the company’s other series that are currently on air around the world. Brands that will be represented under the HIP (Henson Independent Properties) third party banner are Lily’s Driftwood Bay and Elias: Rescue Team Adventures.
At The Jim Henson Company, Goldsmith has oversight of sales, marketing, and technical operations to media and consumer products partners worldwide. His role also extends to raising production financing and securing co-production partners for new productions; and to the acquisition and distribution of third party content under the company's HIP banner (Henson Independent Properties). Additionally, Goldsmith oversees all aspects of the company's multi-platform VOD channel, Jim Henson Family TV, launched on YouTube in 2013 and now on platforms like Roku, X-Box and Amazon Fire.
A seasoned marketing professional, Stobbe previously worked for ten years in various capacities at The Walt Disney Company. Positions included sales director, licensing analyst and consumer products manager spearheading marketing promotions, developing digital sales strategies and optimizing e-commerce experiences. Prior to Disney, she worked with Nestle Deutschland Ag and Price Waterhouse Coopers LLP. A graduate of The Wharton School and The Joseph H. Lauder Institute, Stobbe holds a Master of Business Administration degree, and a Master of Arts in International Studies degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Fluent in German and Spanish, she earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles.
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.
