Ludorum plc, a leading specialist in the creation of global children’s IP, announced today the appointment of Maureen Taxter to the newly-created position of Senior Vice President, U.S. Consumer Products, based in New York.
Press Release from Ludorum
London, 15th September, 2009. Ludorum plc, a leading specialist in the creation of global children’s IP, announced today the appointment of Maureen Taxter to the newly-created position of Senior Vice President, U.S. Consumer Products, based in New York.
Taxter is a licensing industry veteran with over 25 years experience in building and managing entertainment brands. She has held senior positions within globally recognised companies such as Jim Henson Productions, Hasbro and Viacom contributing to some of the world’s most successful kid’s brands including SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, DORA THE EXPLORER, THE MUPPETS, PLAYSKOOL and more.
During her ten-year tenure at Viacom, Taxter led development of Nickelodeon’s first successful consumer products brands, growing RUGRATS and BLUE’S CLUES into $1 billion franchises. She subsequently oversaw Brand Management, Retail and New Business Development for the $4 billion licensing division responsible for Nickelodeon, Noggin & Comedy Central consumer products.
Reporting directly to Ludorum COO, Charlie Caminada, Taxter will be responsible for all Ludorum’s commercial operations in the US working across Ludorum properties and in particular, the CGI animated series for pre-schoolers, CHUGGINGTON which is to air on the Playhouse Disney programming block in the United States beginning Spring 2010.
Commenting on the appointment, Charlie Caminada, COO, Ludorum said: “We are delighted to welcome an executive of Maureen’s calibre to Ludorum. Maureen’s appointment comes at an exciting time in our company’s life and her knowledge and experience will be invaluable as we expand our activities in the U.S.”
Taxter commented – “I am thrilled to be joining Ludorum to build and drive the company’s brands and operation in the U.S. CHUGGINGTON has had considerable success to date worldwide and I look forward to working with such an experienced team to launch this great new kid’s property here in the U.S.”
About Ludorum plc
Ludorum was formed and is run by the former CEO and COO of HIT Entertainment PLC, a company which was subject to a recommended takeover in May 2005 valuing the business at £489 million and which managed a strong portfolio of children's properties including BOB THE BUILDER, BARNEY, THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE, PINGU and Guinness World Records and by the co-founder and former CEO of Learning Curve, International, the company that held toy licenses for THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE and other preschool properties. Ludorum is dedicated to developing, acquiring and marketing intellectual entertainment properties which are appropriate for both the new interactive distribution channels as well as classic linear TV. www.ludorum.com
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