Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Nickelodeon And Viacom Consumer Products Promotes Ron Johnson And Mark Kingston To New Executive Roles

The children's entertainment and media news website Kidscreen is reporting the Nickelodeon Consumer Products News that Nickelodeon, the worlds leading kids' brand, has promoted Ron Johnson to the position of Executive Vice President (EVP) of Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products for Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), which will put him at the helm of Viacom's international consumer products operations. Effective April 1, Johnson will lead VIMN's consumer product business across retail, operations, creative development, licensing, recreation, promotions and marketing. He will be based in New York and will report to Pierluigi Gazzolo, Chief Operating Officer (COO), VIMN. Reporting to Ron Johnson will be Mark Kingston, who has been promoted to General Manager (GM) and Senior Vice President (SVP) for NVCP Europe, Middle East, Africa & Australia, VIMN. He will oversee VIMN's consumer products operations in these key markets and will remain based in London, UK. Kingston has already been spearheading the company’s pan-European retail efforts and CP operations in the UK, Russia, and Australia:
Viacom International appoints new consumer products head

Ron Johnson has been promoted to EVP, Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products for Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), which will put him at the helm of Viacom’s international consumer products operations.

Effective April 1, Johnson will lead VIMN’s consumer product business across retail, operations, creative development, licensing, recreation, promotions and marketing. He will be based in New York and will report to Pierluigi Gazzolo, COO, VIMN.

Johnson first joined Viacom in 2010 as SVP of Walmart Retail Development for Nickelodeon Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP). He went to lead NVCP’s global retail business for all retail accounts as well as manage all e-commerce and seasonal licensing.

Reporting into Johnson will be Mark Kingston, who has been promoted to GM and SVP for NVCP Europe, Middle East, Africa & Australia, VIMN. He will oversee VIMN’s consumer products operations in these key markets and will remain based in London, UK. Kingston has already been spearheading the company’s pan-European retail efforts and CP operations in the UK, Russia, and Australia.

Michael Connolly, former SVP at NVCP and leader of the international division, left the company last month to pursue new opportunities.

Tags: Mark Kingston, Nickelodeon Consumer Products, Ron Johnson, Viacom International Media Networks
Also, from Licensing.biz:
Mark Kingston steps up at Nickelodeon

Now GM and SVP for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Australia; Ron Johnson becomes EVP for NVCP.

Viacom International Media Networks has announced a number of high level changes in its Consumer Products team.

Mark Kingston (pictured) has been promoted to general manager and senior vice president for NVCP Europe, Middle East, Africa and Australia. He will now oversee VIMN's consumer products operations in these key markets.

Kingston will report into the new EVP for Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products, Ron Johnson.

Effective from April 1st, Johnson will lead all of Viacom's international consumer products operations. He will be based in New York.

"We're thrilled to have Ron take on this leadership role in overseeing VIMN's consumer products business," said Pierluigi Gazzolo, COO at VIMN. "He possesses first hand knowledge of our global CP operation, as well as extensive experience across global retail partnerships, holistic franchise management and product innovation.

"We're also excited about the newly expanded position that Mark will be taking on, as it further reinforces the strength of our regionally led consumer products organisation."

Tags: nickelodeon consumer products, viacom international media netwo
Also, from Indiantelevision.com:
Ron Johnson is Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products executive VP

MUMBAI: Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) has appointed that Ron Johnson as Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP) executive VP.

From 1 April, Johnson will lead all of Viacom’s international consumer products operations. He will be based in New York and will report to VIMN COO Pierluigi Gazzolo.

Gazzolo said, “We’re thrilled to have Ron take on this leadership role in overseeing VIMN’s consumer products business. He possesses first-hand knowledge of our global CP operation, as well as extensive experience across global retail partnerships, holistic franchise management and product innovation.

“Ron’s expertise in global retail will prove invaluable in his new position, as we deepen and form new partnerships with retailers and licensees around the world and build on the strong momentum that we are seeing in our CP business.”

Mark Kingston has been promoted to NVCP Europe, the Middle East and Africa GM, senior VP and will oversee VIMN’s consumer products operations in these markets. Kingston will report to Johnson and VIMN MD, executive VP UK, Australia and Eastern Europe and International Content Distribution Dave Lynn.

Gazzolo added, “We’re also excited about the newly expanded position that Mark will be taking on, as it further reinforces the strength of our regionally led consumer products organisation.

“Mark has already been spearheading our pan-European retail efforts and CP operations in the UK, Russia, and Australia to great success. By extending his purview to include all pan-European CP deal-making, which also includes Middle East, North Africa and Australia, we are streamlining efficiencies to better position us to meet the demands of critical, high growth markets and create more compelling and valuable opportunities for partners.”