Margaret Loesch, David Neuman Join Kartoon Channel!

Genius Brands International has appointed Margaret Loesch, founding president and CEO of Fox Kids Networks Worldwide, as executive chairman of Kartoon Channel!, while David Neuman, former president of Walt Disney Television, has been named chief creative officer of the digital channel.

During her time at Fox Kids Networks Worldwide, Loesch grew the channels across all metrics (it was eventually sold to the Walt Disney Company for $5.5 billion). Prior to Fox Kids, Loesch served as president and CEO of Marvel Productions and previously as president of The Jim Henson Company and founding president and CEO of the U.S. Hallmark Channel and Crown Media U.S. She also served as president of the Hub, which was a joint venture between Hasbro and Discovery.

As president of Walt Disney Television and Touchstone Television, Neuman oversaw The Wonderful World of Disney, Boy Meets World, Ellen and Home Improvement.  Prior to that, as VP of comedy at NBC, he oversaw iconic series, such as Cheers, Family Ties, Golden Girls and Alf.

“I have known and admired Margaret and David for many years,” said Andy Heyward, CEO of Genius Brands. “There are no two more accomplished executives in our industry than Margaret Loesch and David Neuman. One doesn’t become the president of multiple children’s networks, or the president of Walt Disney Television, respectfully, without a reputation of being ‘Best in Class.’ Their collective knowledge and relationships with the advertiser community, the creative community, and the distribution community in kid’s broadcasting is at the pinnacle of the field. They play to win, and nothing less. Having Margaret and David leading Kartoon Channel!, along with General Manager Caroline Tyre and Director of Content and Acquisitions Mark Shoeman, is going to be a tremendous jump start to creating viewership and market share, advertiser demand, and attracting the most powerful creative content and marketing in the field.”

Heyward added: “There is a huge appetite for quality children’s content that is family-friendly and safe. No less important is having it available for free and with no subscription fees will be compelling now to more and more parents who are looking to provide quality children’s entertainment options for their kids.  It will be equally important to advertisers, who are increasingly finding fewer channels to reach viewers, in a universe dominated by pay services such as Netflix and Disney+. Kartoon Channel! will be like a Netflix for kids, except it is free.”

Loesch commented: “I have admired David’s accomplishments and reputation as an innovator and magnet for talent for years and have had the good fortune to work extensively with Andy over the years. This is a wonderful opportunity to work with both David and Andy and the Genius Brands’ team where I will oversee and provide advice on the creation of a new destination for kids and their families.”

Neuman added: “The creative community is poised for new content and new ways of delivering it to today’s kids who have grown up in an on-demand nonlinear world, and I look forward to hitting the ground running as we gear up for a massive June 15 launch.”