Category: People

Dominic Gardiner will join Jetix UK as director of programming in September, with responsibility for overall channel content programming, acquisitions, scheduling and on air promotions with a strong focus on improving channel ratings and share performance.

He will report to Boel Ferguson, Jetix UKs recently appointed md. Gardiner will work closely with both Jetix UKs marketing director Allan Stenhouse and Jetix Europes svp of programming Michael Lekes, to deliver an overall programming strategy and fine tune the channel editorial line.

FlickerLab, the New York City-based design and animation studio, has added director of animation Eric Merola to its creative roster, responsible for the direction of animated spots and the creation of original content. He will also work directly with FlickerLab founder/creative director Harold Moss as a creative partner on original properties, both live-action and animated.

Karen Miller has been promoted to svp, worldwide television creative services, for the Warner Bros. Television Group, to manage the day-to-day operations of the creative services department and oversee the conceptualization and design of all print, digital and on-air advertising and promotional materials for the studio's worldwide television marketing, sales and publicity initiatives.

Former Earthlink exec William Widmaier has been appointed president of New Media for Platinum Studios to expand the studios presence online.

The Walt Disney Co. board of directors today (June 28, 2006) elected independent Disney director and former Procter & Gamble chairman/ceo John E. Pepper, Jr., to serve as non-executive chairman of the board, effective Jan. 1, 2007. Pepper succeeds Senator George J. Mitchell, who has served as Disney chairman since March 2004.

Mark Caplan has been promoted from exec director of interactive to vp, hardlines for Sony Pictures Consumer Products (SPCP). Caplan represents the SPCP catalog of merchandising properties, whose key theatrical assets include OPEN SEASON and SURFS UP; television properties, including the animated series, ITS A BIG BIG WORLD and syndicated game shows WHEEL OF FORTUNE and JEOPARDY.

Louise OToole has signed on as md, U.K. at Taffy Ent.s new London office. OToole reports to Taffy Ent. joint ceos Mike Young and Bill Schultz, as well as president Liz Young. Her colleagues at Taffy Merchandising and Distribution include evp Regis Brown and vp of U.S. licensing Eric Stein.