GBI names toy exec as sales chief

Genius Brands International (GBI) has appointed toy industry executive Marc Rosenberg to oversee sales of its growing portfolio of children’s properties.

Marc Rosenberg

Rosenberg, former head of marketing at Hasbro Toys and Tiger Electronics, has been appointed president of global brands and chief marketing officer at the US-based children’s producer and distributor.

More recently, Rosenberg was the chief marketing officer at Zizzle, where he helped lead product launches for several licensed toy lines, including Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean and High School Musical.

Rosenberg will continue to own his company Edge Desk, with the current management operating the day-to-day business under his oversight.

The appointment comes after Caroline Tyre, GBI’s senior VP of international distribution and head of its Genius Brands Network, recently joined Canada-based children’s content giant WildBrain as VP, global sales and rights strategy.

GBI has launched digital network Kartoon Channel in the US, featuring thousands of episodes of kids’ programming.

GBI chairman and CEO Andy Heyward said: “With Rainbow Rangers, Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, Llama Llama, Stan Lee Universe and new properties shortly to be announced, Marc’s pedigree and leadership will ensure that we maximise revenue generation from the powerful brands we will be bringing to market.”