Egmont has announced a new global setup for their licensed children’s book and magazine business. The company has established two new global units: Global Licensing Management and Global Content Development.
Silvia Figini (former Vice President, Global Disney at Egmont Publishing, and Managing Director of the Egmont Creative Center) is heading the new Global Licensing Management team who are responsible for the management of Egmont’s global licensors, acquiring new global licenses and the sale of international rights for global intellectual property. Figini commented on the reorganization: “Our partners are looking for a publisher that can manage their brands with a global approach; this new structure enables us to do that and deliver an ambitious plan for growth.”
The Global Content Development team houses creative talents from across the UK, Germany, Denmark and Poland and is focused on developing internationally transferable content for global brands in Egmont’s book and magazine publishing portfolio. It is also responsible for the continued development and sourcing of magazine covermounts. Jacek Beldowski (former Senior Vice President & General Manager, Egmont Publishing, Central and Eastern Europe) will manage the new Global Content Development team, reporting into Rob McMenemy who continues to be responsible for UK, Central Eastern Europe, joint ventures as well as for the Global Content Development Unit and covermount sourcing.
Rob McMenemy, commented: “From evergreen brands like Thomas the Tank Engine, to our groundbreaking publishing of Minecraft, we have some of the best licensed properties on our list and this new global set up ensures Egmont is now better placed than ever to continue to deliver the very best publishing in books and magazines for our licensing partners.”
Key UK personnel changes:
* Promotion of Emma Cairns Smith to Director of Global Licensing Acquisitions, Sten Jorgensen to Head of Global Brand Management and International Sales and Eleanor Fletcher to Global Brand Director. They all will be part of new the Global Licensing Management Team
* Tracy Philips, Rights Director will now be responsible for the sale of rights, both in the UK and globally
* Promotion of Sarah Bates to Global Content Director in the Global Content Development team
* Sue Allan is promoted to the new role of Publishing Director of Licensing and Customer Publishing for the UK’s books division, reporting into Cally Poplak, MD, Egmont Publishing UK.
Cally Poplak commented: “This new structure allows us to tap into expertise around the Egmont media group.”
