Category: People

Curious Pictures has announced two changes to the studio's directorial roster, both of which reflect changes in directorial teams.

Dave Howe, erstwhile General Manager of SCI FI Channel, has been appointed president of the network, it was announced today. Howe will oversee Original Development, Programming and Marketing, Global Brand Strategy and Market Development, Strategic Planning, SCI FI Digital (SCIFI.COM, SCI FI Pulse, DVICE.com), SCI FI MAGAZINE, Media Relations and SCI FI's recently launched public affairs initiative, Visions for Tomorrow.

Disney Interactive Studios today announced the addition of Jean-Marcel Nicolai to its executive team as SVP, global production. He will oversee Disney's worldwide video game production, including the company's five internal development studios, externally developed projects and future studio expansion. Nicolai will be based at headquarters in Glendale, Calif., reporting to Graham Hopper, exec VP and general manager.

Marketing executive Sue Kroll has been named to the newly created position of President, Worldwide Marketing, Warner Bros. Pictures, it was announced today.

Decode Ent.'s longtime head of distribution Dominique Bazay is leaving the company to join Astral Media's Quebec-based kids channel Vrak.TV as VP of programming, reports C21 MEDIA.

Decode partner Neil Court was philosophical about the loss. "If you have to lose an employee, it makes it a little easier if they are going to a broadcaster. We're losing an incredible executive, but we're gaining a client," he said.

Decode's international sales team will take over for Bazay in the short term, with a new appointment likely soon.

Laurent Taieb has been promoted to VP, Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP), France as part of the company's strategic commitment to expand and further deepen its licensing and merchandising operations in the market. Taieb has managed NVCP's strategy in France since January 2006, including the direct oversight of DORA THE EXPLORER, which under his leadership became the fastest-growing toy license ever for Fisher Price and has spent the last 22 consecutive months as the territory's number-one licensed property.

The SCI FI Channel has promoted two of its original programming executives -- Erik Storey and Tony Optican -- to SVP and has added Chris Sanagustin to the team as the Channel's new VP of Development. All three are based in Los Angeles and will continue to develop the channel's award-winning slate of original series and long-form projects.

Managing Director Victor M. Lopez has announced that he is leaving Madrid-based Zinkia Entertainment after six years of "the most wonderful business experience" of his professional life.

In a farewell letter, Lopez stated: "Zinkia represents many things for me, some of my childhood dreams like making TV animated series,' but even more important, giving my daughter her first reason to be proud at school... my father did POCOYÓ!'"