Toonz Entertainment Bolsters Sales Team

Toonz Entertainment, the distribution arm of Toonz Media Group, has appointed Bernhard Stephan and Maria Romanelli to two newly created roles in its sales team.

Stephan has been tapped as director of commercial distribution to lead the business in French-speaking and German-speaking territories in CEE, as well as Russia, CIS and MENA. Romanelli has been appointed as senior sales manager for Italy.

Through his media career, Stephan has served as head of licensing at TV Loonland, manager of EMEA in the program sales and licensing division of Discovery Networks, country manager for Russia and CEE at Red Bull Media House, CCO of YFE and head of media at Animaccord.

Romanelli has over four decades of experience in developing international business and licensing and merchandising. She began her career at CPLG as head of international. She was later instrumental in setting up the Italian division of consumer products for Warner Bros. and restructuring the U.K. one. Later, she worked with Saban, Fox Kids and Jetix.

“I am excited to be part of this enterprising team at Toonz Entertainment, and I am looking forward to take Toonz and partners’ content to different geographies, as the potential is huge,” Stephan said.

“Coming with years of experience in developing international business, I am confident to build the business for Toonz in Italy,” Romanelli said. “With quality content for kids and families in Toonz slate, I am sure that exciting years are ahead for Toonz in the distribution slate.”

Bruno Zarka, president of the TV co-production, distribution and syndication division, added, “We are adding 258 hours of additional content to our distribution catalog this year, and together with our partners, we are optimistic about acquiring new business, as there is always demand for quality kids and family entertainment content.”