Nickelodeon has restructured its consumer products business to closely align with its core business, with global, cross-platform property plans as the driving force behind the new organizational model. The new structure emphasizes toys and apparel, and retail marketing becomes integral to Nickelodeon’s overall marketing organization.

The strategic business operations, headed by Nickelodeon Group COO Sarah Kirshbaum Levy, will oversee the toys, interactive and consumer electronics, and soft goods, headed by Manuel Torres and Hal Snik. The Nickelodeon digital team—led by Steve Youngwood, executive vice president, digital, Nickelodeon Group—will manage Nick’s U.S. publishing and home entertainment businesses, headed by Paula Allen and Sherice Torres.

Retail marketing, which is overseen by Ron Johnson, will now report to Pam Kaufman, chief marketing officer, Nickelodeon Group. Packaged goods will report to advertising sales partnerships, led by Sharon Cohen, senior vice president of integrated marketing and ad sales, Nickelodeon Group. All international consumer products operations will continue to be led by Michael Connolly and report to Pierluigi Gazzolo, COO of Viacom International Media Networks. Manuel Torres and Paula Allen will have a dual report into Connolly for all international aspects of their businesses. Nickelodeon Creative Resources will continue to lead all creative components, managed by Russell Hicks, executive vice president and executive creative director, Nickelodeon Group.

Disney Consumer Products (DCP) President Bob Chapek today announced Josh Silverman as executive vice president of global licensing for Disney and Marvel. Silverman is currently senior vice president of global strategy, business development and brand management for Marvel Entertainment.

In his new role, Silverman will ensure business maximization through collaboration with internal partners, licensees, and the newly combined retail organization throughout The Walt Disney Company. Internationally, he will work closely with regional licensing teams to leverage DCP’s scale and best practices.

Silverman began his career at Marvel Entertainment in 2001 as a corporate attorney in the business and legal affairs group and by 2006 was vice president, business affairs, responsible for structuring strategic partnerships and licenses. In 2008, Silverman was promoted to senior vice president, global business development and licensing operations, and again in 2010 to his most recent role, where he has been responsible for leading integration into Disney; working across Marvel divisions on global strategic and tactical matters; and corporate brand management. Currently based in New York City, Silverman will soon relocate to Southern California and will be based in DCP’s Glendale headquarters.

Robert Eckert has informed Mattel’s board of directors of his decision to retire as CEO, after 11 years with the company, effective December 31. The board has named Bryan Stockton (pictured), who has held the position of COO for the past year, to succeed Eckert as CEO, effective January 1, 2012. Eckert has agreed to continue in his role as chairman of the board, and the board has elected Stockton as a member of the board, effective January 1.

For the past year, Stockton has served as COO, with responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the company, including its business units: Mattel Brands, Fisher-Price, American Girl, and the North American and International divisions. Stockton has also been responsible for the operations and corporate responsibility functions. Stockton joined Mattel in November 2000 as executive vice president of business planning and development, and was responsible for identifying and developing strategic opportunities for the company, as well as managing all merger and acquisition activity. He gained responsibility for the International division in 2003, where he began driving Mattel’s business outside the U.S., including sales and marketing for Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Fisher-Price. He was promoted to president of International in 2007.

Firefly Brand Management is a full-service global brand management and licensing agency specializing in entertainment, interactive, technology, art and lifestyle properties, including:

• Anne Geddes, an artist whose photography has been published in 83 countries with over 18 million copies sold worldwide. The brand and various licensing programs have a strong following all over the world, and Firefly is seeking new product lines for the home, infants, maternity, and young girls.

• Hell’s Kitchen, the cooking competition show on Fox. The brand’s new lines are in housewares, food, beverage, apparel and other categories.

• Mr. Bubble, which for 50 years has been the best selling bubble bath in the U.S.

• Spam, which has graced American dinner tables for nearly 75 years, is an iconic American brand.

• Yummy You by Twinkie Chan, a line of silly, food themed scarves and accessories.

• Emily Green, whose imagination brings creative, fun designs to an array of products including children’s place mats, bowls, tumblers and other unique gifts.

Please contact Eve LeMaster for licensing news and opportunities.

New York City is slated to become the next stop on the global licensing circuit as the Toy Industry Association (TIA) launches its new Brand & Entertainment Showcase in February. Co-located with the 109^th American International Toy Fair, February 12-15, the showcase offers an impactful and convenient content connection for entertainment licensors and brand owners alike. The event provides opportunities for exclusive access to top-tier media, marketing agencies, and an audience of 30,000+ tradeshow guests from more than 90 countries. Adventure Publishing Group is the exclusive media partner of the Brand & Entertainment Showcase.

The new Brand & Entertainment Showcase satisfies increased demands from the licensing community to collaborate in a formalized setting at the show. Content providers will be able to simply show up and show off in small, private meeting spaces or large, public theaters. Turnkey presentation solutions and an audience of marketers ensure that all participants’ needs will be met.

As the largest and most important gathering for youth entertainment in the Western Hemisphere, Toy Fair last year welcomed an unprecedented surge in entertainment executives (+31 percent) and licensors (+8 percent). In 2010, licensed toys represented 25 percent of total industry sales.  In addition, the co-located Brand & Entertainment Showcase gives participants access to the important ancillary advertising, marketing, and promotion-oriented industries that are concentrated in and around the media epicenter of the world.

Adventure Publishing’s signature publications—The Licensing Book and The Toy Book—and its online communities will be a primary conduit of information and updates about the Showcase to the global community, and the key vehicles for brand advertisers during the event itself.

For more information about participating in TIA’s Brand and Entertainment Showcase, contact Jennifer Coleman, sales executive and producer (973.760.8181, jennifer@jcinc.biz); for information about advertising opportunities, please contact Jonathan Samet at Adventure Publishing (212.575.4510, jsamet@adventurepub.com).

Atlantyca Entertainment announced this week the inauguration of the Geronimo Stilton Scholarship Program, a €10.000 fund created to encourage women to study international business and trade exchange between Italy and China.

The scholarship will be awarded to two women, one from China and one from Italy, who are pursuing Master of International Business degrees. The Chinese student will be invited to attend the Master of International Business (MIB) of Università Cattolica di Milano. The Italian student will be invited to attend Fu Dan University of Shanghai. Both students will be offered a full year of study in international business at these prestigious universities.

The Italian student will be chosen this month, and the Chinese student will be named in March.

“We are eager to encourage more young women to enter the challenging field of international business in an even more challenging market like the Chinese one with a scholarship that will help young women achieve independence in a field typically dominated by men,” said Atlantyca Entertainment CEO Claudia Mazzucco “To invest in this educational endeavor demonstrates our confidence in the Chinese marketplace, a country that continues to offer us enormous success and tangible business opportunities.”

Mazzucco was bestowed with the 2010 Manager Woman Award by Fondazione Italia Cina, in recognition of her continued dedication to creating and implementing a flow of innovative ideas to consistently support the expansion of children’s literacy between China and Italy. Fondazione Italia Cina in partnership with Milano Finanza, bestowed the award at the annual awards ceremony held November 2010 in Milan.

Atlantyca Entertainment maintains an office in Beijing, which opened in 2010, dedicated to business development activities with primary focus in publishing and translation rights internationally. Atlantyca represents some of today’s leading literary properties, including Mondadori’s top properties and works with leading publishers including Qingdao Publishing, Tianjin Chinese World Books, and People’s Literature Publishing House. Translation agreements, for the company in China, surpassed more then 360 in Atlantyca’s first year of establishing the office.

In two weeks, two of the biggest names in the licensing industry have moved out of their positions. First, Andy Mooney left Disney Consumer Products; now, according to several confirmed reports, Leigh Anne Brodsky has been forced out at Nickelodeon Consumer Products.

Brodsky, who was inducted into the LIMA Hall of Fame in June, will not be replaced, according to a KidScreen report by Lana Castleman. The consumer products business will no longer operate as a separate line of business from the ad sales, marketing, and digital groups, Castleman writes.

Brodsky joined Nickelodeon in 1999. Read our June interview with her here, in which she talks about how her now-former position allowed her to fulfill her childhood dream of performing on Broadway.

The Licensing Awards for the United Kingdom were handed out last night at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel… and wouldn’t you know, we have a full list of winners. That’s just how we roll.

Best Licensed Toys or Games Range
Star Wars Talking Plush Range from Underground Toys 

Best Licensed Dress Up or Party Range
Sesame Street Dress Up Costumes from Smiffy’s

Best Licensed Children’s Apparel Range
The Gruffalo SS11 Range for Sainsbury’s TU from Brecrest Babywear

Best Licensed Adult Apparel Range
Where’s Wally? Underwear and Nightwear for Next from Somerbond

Best Licensed Written, Listening or Learning Range
Peppa Pig Electronic Learning Range from InspirationWorks

Best Licensed Paper Products or Stationery Range
Star Wars Classic Poster and 3D Poster Range from GBeye

Best Licensed Giftware Range
Hello Kitty Nerdy Range from Blueprint Collections

Best Licensed Home Décor, Tableware or Housewares Range
Sophie Conran Buckets Of Fun from Burgon & Ball

Best Licensed Food and Drink Range
Nando’s Food Gift Range from Kimm & Miller UK

Best Licensed Brand Range
Red or Dead Bicycle Collection from Raleigh

The Innovation Award
Volkswagen T1 Camper Van Tent from The Monster Factory

The Retailer Awards

Best Pre-School Retailer of Licensed Products
Asda (includes George@Asda)

Best Kids Retailer of Licensed Products
Next

Best Brands Retailer of Licensed Products
John Lewis

Best Direct Selling Retailer of Licensed Products
Amazon

Top Retailer Award
Next

The Licensed Property Awards

Best Pre-School Licensed Property
Fireman Sam

Best Schoolers/Tween or Teen Licensed Property
Ben 10

Best Brand Licensed Property
JCB

Best Sports Licensed Property
London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Best Celebrity Licensed Property
JLS

The Best Classic Licensed Property
Star Wars

Best Licensed Marketing Communication 2011 Award
Mr Happy Should’ve Gone To Specsavers from Chorion

Honorary Achievement Award
John Sinfield

The Walt Disney Co. has elevated Robert Chapek, formerly the head of its distribution division, to the role of president of Disney Consumer Products. Chapek replaces Andy Mooney, who resigned last week.

In his new role, Chapek will consolidate Disney’s retail and licensing efforts across its businesses, including Walt Disney Studios, Pixar, Marvel, Media Networks, Interactive Media and Consumer Products.

“Bob’s vast experience, talent and proven track record will be key to implementing a consolidated approach to retail resulting in a more efficient and effective organization,” said Robert Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “As the retail market becomes more centralized, it is important to provide the consumer with an array of choices in a seamless, coordinated way.”

Chapek was previously the president of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

Andy Mooney has resigned as chairman of Disney Consumer Products, effective immediately. He had led the company for 12 years, when he joined as president in 1999 and was promoted to chairman in 2003. A press release announcing the news includes the following email Mooney sent to DCP employees:

“It’s never easy to leave a place you love, but today I informed Bob Iger that I’ve made the difficult decision to resign as Chairman of Disney Consumer Products. After 30 years contributing to the success of two of the world’s most valuable brands in Disney and Nike, I believe this is the perfect time to take that experience into a leadership role with another organization and corporate boards.

It has been a tremendous honor to have worked for a company like Disney for more than 11 years and for a leader like Bob. But what I will miss the most and what I will always treasure is the experience to have worked with such a talented group of people at DCP.

Together, we have radically changed the licensing business, created new brands and franchises like Disney Princess and Disney Fairies, creatively re-energized the Disney Store chain and launched new businesses like Disney English. All of this has resulted in year upon year growth and doubling of our creative output.

I’m proud and grateful to have had the honor of calling each one of you a colleague and am confident that DCP is well-positioned to continue this momentum for many years.

I thank Bob for his understanding in my desire to pursue other ambitions as well as his guidance and friendship over the last 11 years.”