Patricia Wyatt has been named president, HIT North America, based in the companys New York City office where she will be responsible for expanding the existing consumer products and home entertainment businesses for HITs classic preschool brands, including Bob the Builder, Thomas & Friends, Barney, Pingu and Angelina Ballerina, as well as launching new content. She will also serve on HITs executive management board.
The 20-year entertainment and marketing vet was most recently president of 20th Century Fox Consumer Products, where she oversaw global licensing and merchandising, as well as domestic home entertainment for all Fox film and television properties including THE SIMPSONS, THE X-FILES and TITANIC.
Prior to joining Fox in 1995, Wyatt was svp of Applause Inc., where she was responsible for marketing, product design and development, merchandising, strategic alliances, and licensing. Under her direction, Applause forged relationships with major studios and entertainment brands, including The Walt Disney Co., Warner Bros., Sesame Street, Star Wars, Nickelodeon and DC Comics.
Wyatt served in various marketing roles at Mattel where she oversaw the Barbie franchise for six years and launched the Disney Entertainment fashion doll businesses, as well as the Disney Lion King line of toys.
I am pleased that Pat is joining the team to help drive the growth of our business in North America, said Bruce Steinberg, ceo, to whom she reports. She brings a wealth of experience across both licensing and home entertainment and has been closely involved in the strategic development and growth of many global brands in her career.
Established in 1989, HIT Ent. (www.hitentertainment.com) is one of the worlds leading pre-school childrens entertainment producers and rights owners. With operations in the U.S., U.K., Canada and d Japan, the companys activities span television production and distribution, home entertainment, consumer products, publishing and live events. HIT is now one of the largest children's video distributors in the U.K. and the U.S. With more than 1,000 episodes of young children's programming, HIT sells programs to some 200 territories worldwide.
