MTVNI Names SVP of Consumer Products

NEW YORK/LONDON: MTV Networks International (MTVNI) has brought on Michael Connolly to serve as its senior VP of consumer products, to be based in New York.

Connolly is responsible for MTVNI’s consumer products operations and related global strategies outside the U.S. His responsibilities cover all retail partnerships and key category relationships, including toys, home entertainment, consumer electronics, video games and publishing. He will focus on the international growth and new strategic initiatives that include growing the company’s entertainment brands’ licensing opportunities and further retail development. He will dually report to Pierluigi Gazzolo, the COO of MTVNI, and Leigh Anne Brodsky, the president of Nickelodeon Consumer Products. Connolly joins from Disney Consumer Products, where he served as VP of marketing and season merchandise for North America.

“Michael’s extensive international and domestic experience in merchandise planning, licensing, and retail solutions across diverse lines of business is a tremendous asset to the organization as we continue to drive the global growth of our properties and brands through innovative partnerships and deeper collaboration amongst key stakeholders,” commented Gazzolo.

“His brand passion and insight will lend themselves perfectly to deliver the most innovative and compelling product around our evergreen and new content to consumers and partners,” added Brodsky.