SMC Entertainment Group Ramps Up Digital Focus

CHATSWORTH: SMC Entertainment Group has formed a new division to manage online and social media strategies for the company and its brands, alongside hiring Heather Smith Noback to serve as its VP of interactive and digital media.

Noback takes on responsibility for the development and execution of brand strategies and for overseeing the licensing and merchandising categories. She will manage traditional licensing partnerships along with partnerships with developers and gaming and digital distribution. Another focus will be to build retail partnerships and promotions with online retailers and digital partners. Noback comes to the company from Encore Software, where she was managing outbound licensing and business development for such brands as Carmen Sandiego, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy and Scrabble. She will report to Lisa Streff, the senior VP of licensing.

The new appointment comes alongside the formation of a dedicated division to oversee online and social media marketing strategies across all brands. An updated SMC Entertainment Group website has been launched and Facebook and Twitter pages have been launched for SMC and all of its brands, including The Jungle Book, Dance Academy and H20: Just Add Water. The dedicated team appointed to the division will report to Streff.

“Heather has demonstrated a keen understanding and exceptional ability to manage a multitude of brands and partnerships in the interactive and digital media realms, which will be a huge asset to SMC as we look to grow and expand our licensing operations,” said Streff. “Her strong relationships in the children’s entertainment and licensing communities, as well as her enthusiasm and creative spirit, combine to make Heather an integral member of the SMC team.”