Monday, January 07, 2013

Iconix Brand Group, Inc. Appoints Former Nickelodeon Consumer Products President Leigh Anne Brodsky To Managing Director Of Peanuts Worldwide And Iconix Entertainment

According to the following news article from Kidscreen, Peanuts Worldwide has hired former Nickelodeon Consumer Products President Leigh Anne Brodsky as their new Managing Directer (MD), effective immediately. Before leaving Nickelodeon in 2011, Leigh Anne Brodsky worked on a number of popular Nickelodeon shows, including "SpongeBob SquarePants", "Dora The Explorer", "Blue's Clues", as well as "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and "Beatrix Potter":
Leigh Anne Brodsky named new Peanuts Worldwide MD

Iconix Brand Group has appointed 20-year licensing professional and ex-Nickelodeon Consumer Products president Leigh Anne Brodsky as the new MD of Peanuts Worldwide, effective immediately.

In her new role, Brodsky will head up global business for the iconic Peanuts property, including the launch of the recently announced 2015 feature film from Twentieth Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios.

Her additional responsibilities include overseeing and growing the Iconix Entertainment division.

She was most recently an acting member of the Board of Directors at Jakks Pacific and president of L.A.B Licensing and Branding.

Prior to these positions, Brodsky served as the president of Nickelodeon Consumer Products, where she worked on a number of hit kids IPs including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora The Explorer, Blue’s Clues, as well as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Beatrix Potter.

She also previously worked on the Peanuts property as an executive with United Media Enterprises. Peanuts Worldwide is a joint venture with Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates.

Tags: Iconix Brand Group, Iconix Entertainment, Leigh Anne Brodsky, Peanuts Worldwide
Also, below is a Iconix Brand Group, Inc. Press Release announcing the news from PRNewswire:
Iconix Brand Group, Inc. Appoints Leigh Anne Brodsky To Managing Director of Peanuts Worldwide And Iconix Entertainment

NEW YORK, Jan. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICON) today announced it has appointed Leigh Anne Brodsky to the position of Managing Director of Peanuts Worldwide, a joint venture with Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates. In her new role, which is effective immediately, Brodsky will oversee the global business for the Peanuts property, including the launch of the recently announced 2015 feature film from Twentieth Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios. She will also oversee and develop the Iconix Entertainment division as well as seek out properties for the Company's growing portfolio of brands.

" Leigh Anne is a highly regarded strategic thinker, with a track record in identifying and developing entertainment properties and delivering impeccable results," said Neil Cole , President and Chairman of Iconix Brand Group. "As we continue to build our global Peanuts business, her experience and leadership will be invaluable. We also believe she can successfully build a stable of entertainment based properties with potential new revenue streams that will expand our business."

A licensing professional for more than 20 years, Brodsky is well known for her role as President at Nickelodeon Consumer Products, where she built the division into the world's number-one TV-based licensing business. Those properties included SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora The Explorer, Blue's Clues, Comedy Central's South Park, and MTV's Jersey Shore, as well as several strategic acquisitions that she initiated such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Beatrix Potter . Earlier in her career, she worked with such iconic entertainment properties as Saturday Night Live, Lassie and Garfield. Brodsky has been recognized by the industry for her leadership and expertise and in 2011 was selected for induction into the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association's (LIMA) Hall of Fame, which honors a very select group of licensing veterans who have made unique and outstanding contributions to the business. Most recently, she has been an acting member of the Board of Directors at Jakks Pacific, a Board Member of the Children's Brain Tumor Foundation and President of L.A.B Licensing and Branding, a global consulting group dedicated to identifying consumer-led, innovative business opportunities for its clients in the areas of branding, strategic planning, programming, production, marketing, and consumer products.

"I'm excited to take a leadership role with the beloved cast of Peanuts once again," said Brodsky, who previously worked on the property as an executive with United Media Enterprises. "I'm also delighted to work with Neil Cole and the Iconix team to build upon their powerful portfolio of global brands."

PEANUTS Worldwide

The PEANUTS characters and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide LLC, a joint venture owned 80% by Iconix Brand Group, Inc. and 20% by members of the Charles M. Schulz family. Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ICON) owns, licenses and markets a growing portfolio of consumer brands including CANDIE'S (R), BONGO (R), BADGLEY MISCHKA (R), JOE BOXER (R), RAMPAGE (R), MUDD (R), MOSSIMO (R), LONDON FOG (R), OCEAN PACIFIC (R), DANSKIN (R), ROCAWEAR (R), CANNON (R), ROYAL VELVET (R), FIELDCREST (R), CHARISMA (R), STARTER (R), WAVERLY (R), ZOO YORK (R), and SHARPER IMAGE (R). In addition, Iconix owns interests in the ARTFUL DODGER (R), ECKO (R), MARC ECKO (R), ED HARDY (R) MATERIAL GIRL (R), PEANUTS (R), and TRUTH OR DARE brands. The Company licenses its brands to a network of leading retailers and manufacturers that touch every major segment of retail distribution from the luxury market to the mass market in both the U.S. and worldwide. Through its in-house business development, merchandising, advertising and public relations departments Iconix manages its brands to drive greater consumer awareness and equity.

CONTACT:
Melissa Menta
mmenta@peanuts.com
212-293-8506
SOURCE Iconix Brand Group, Inc.

RELATED LINKS
http://iconixbrand.com/.
Also, from Deadline:
Leigh Anne Brodsky To Oversee Peanuts Worldwide And Iconix Entertainment

Iconix Brand Group has named Leigh Anne Brodsky managing director of Peanuts Worldwide, its joint venture with Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates. The move comes following October’s announcement of an animated feature film based on the Peanuts gang that will be made by 20th Century Fox Animation and Blue Sky Studios. Brodsky will oversee the global business for the Peanuts property and the launch of the film that’s set for a November 25, 2015 release. She will also oversee and develop the Iconix Entertainment division which is eyeing expansion through entertainment-based properties. The company’s portfolio currently largely consits of consumer brands. Brodsky was formerly president of Nickelodeon Consumer Products.

Also, from Licensing.biz:
Iconix welcomes Leigh Anne Brodsky

Exec takes on the role of MD of Peanuts Worldwide, overseeing the global business.

The Iconix Brand Group has picked licensing industry veteran, Leigh Anne Brodsky, as the new MD for Peanuts Worldwide.

Brodsky (pictured) - who boasts over 20 years in the licensing business - will oversee the global business for the Peanuts property, including the launch of the 2015 film from 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios.

Brodsky will also oversee and develop the Iconix Entertainment division, as well as seek out properties for the company's growing portfolio.

Brodsky is best known in the business for her role as president at Nickelodeon Consumer Products. Most recently, she has been an acting member of the board of directors for Jakks Pacific, as well as president of L.A.B Licensing and Branding.

She also previously worked on the Peanuts property as an executive with United Media Enterprises.

"I'm excited to take a leadership role with the beloved cast of Peanuts once again," Brodsky commented. "I'm also delighted to work with Neil Cole and the Iconix ream to build upon their powerful portfolio of global brands."

Cole - who is president and chairman of Iconix Brand Group - added: "Leigh Anne is a highly regarded strategic thinker, with a track record in identifying and developing entertainment properties and delivering impeccable results. As we continue to build our global Peanuts business, her experience and leadership will be invaluable."
Also, from C21Media:
Peanuts gets new MD

Peanuts Worldwide, the US joint venture formed in 2010 between Iconix Brand Group and Charles M Schulz Creative Associates, has appointed a former Nickelodeon exec as its MD.

Effective immediately, Leigh Anne Brodsky will oversee the global business for the Peanuts property, which Iconix is currently looking to grow following the announcement of a feature film, set for release in 2015.

Brodsky will also develop the Iconix Entertainment division, seeking out properties for the company’s growing portfolio of brands, which include Dilbert and Fancy Nancy. Brodsky previously worked on the Peanuts property as an executive with United Media Enterprises.

A former president at Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products, Brodsky is credited with initiating several strategic acquisitions at the company, including the recent reboot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

She left the position in September 2011, becoming an acting member of the board of directors at Jakks Pacific and President of L.A.B Licensing and Branding.

Since 2001, ABC has been the US home of the classic Peanuts cartoon holiday specials, where they will air till at least 2015. There’s no word yet on whether the TV series is getting a revival.

Nico Franks
08-01-2013
©C21Media

TAGS: Appointments
GENRES: Children's, Entertainment
SHOWS: Peanuts
PEOPLE: Leigh Anne Brodsky
COMPANIES: Blue Sky Studios, Charles M Schulz Creative Associates, Iconix Brand Group, Iconix Entertainment, Peanuts Worldwide, Twentieth Century Fox
SECTIONS: C21Kids
COUNTRIES: US