BKN Bulks Up Licensing and Merchandising Division

BARCELONA/LONDON, January 3: BKN has announced the expansion of its Barcelona and London licensing teams as the company gears up for the worldwide launch of four new brands in 2008 and 2009: Dork Hunters form Outer Space, Zorro—Generation Z, Stone Age and Pocket Penguin Adventures.

In London, Jackie Ferguson and Jane Kennedy have joined the team, and will report to Nicola Andrews, the managing director of BKN New Media.

Ferguson will serve in a consulting capacity, focusing on the U.K. and Ireland. Ferguson arrives from Entertainment Rights, and prior to that she worked at Saban Entertainment, where she consolidated the Power Rangers licensing program and implemented the strategy for the launch of the Digimon licensing program.

Kennedy will serve as VP of international licensing and merchandising. She previously worked in 4Kids Entertainment’s London office as director of international licensing and marketing.

“Jackie and Jane will add a great deal of expertise to BKN having worked on such major brands in the U.K. and internationally,” said Andrews. “We are delighted to have both of them.”

In Barcelona, David Recasens has joined as VP of licensing and merchandising for Spain and Portugal. Irene Civico has also been promoted to licensing and merchandising manager supporting all sales activities. Both will report to Laura Tapias, the managing director of BKN New Media.

“David has already licensed several categories for the Zorro brand in Spain and many more deals are in the works to be announced soon,” said Tapias. “With this expansion, and the new high definition animation studio ? in Barcelona, this is a very exciting time for BKN in Spain.”

—By Ned Berke