Turner appoints Melissa Tinker as VP for Cartoon Network Enterprises

Licensing expert will have the mandate to grow Asia Pacific business; she will report to Sunny Saha, Senior VP and MD, Entertainment Networks, Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | June 11, 2012

Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific has named Melissa Tinker as Vice-President of its licensing and merchandise division, Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE). Her appointment coincides with CNE's robust expansion across the region which includes branded learning centres and themed destinations in addition to the growth of traditional categories of toys, apparel, home entertainment, publishing and lifestyle products.

Ideally placed to drive further growth for CNE in Asia Pacific, Tinker brings over 15 years of industry experience focused on crafting licensing strategies for brand expansion, and was a major force behind the success of many popular kids' and family entertainment brands.

Reporting to Sunny Saha, Senior Vice-President and Managing Director, Entertainment Networks, Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Tinker will assume the leadership of CNE's regional licensing and merchandise strategy, planning and network collaboration for Turner's hit franchises such as Ben 10, Adventure Time, The Amazing World of Gumball and The Powerpuff Girls.

“Melissa is joining the CNE team at a time of unprecedented growth for our business in Asia. With Melissa's proven track record within the industry, CNE will be taken to even greater heights as she identifies innovative partnerships that create more opportunities for brand engagement,” said Saha.

Tinker joins CNE after six years at Chorion in Australia where, as Senior Vice-President of Licensing, Asia Pacific, she turned an underperforming region into one that exceeded annual sales targets for brands including Mr Men and Little Miss, Noddy, Octonauts, Beatrix Potter and Olivia.

Prior to Chorion, Tinker was Business Manager at Haven Licensing where she managed a portfolio of leading international and domestic licensors: Universal Studios, MTV Networks/Nickelodeon and ACP.

“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Cartoon Network and to be working alongside such a dynamic and experienced team. I see endless opportunity with such powerhouse brands and the exceptional content Turner has to offer. I am very much looking forward to developing regional initiatives to support the franchise partners and introducing new partners to the business,” said Tinker.

Over the past four years, Cartoon Network Enterprises has experienced significant double-digit growth in Asia Pacific, and last year achieved a 27 per cent year-on-year increase in revenue.

Over 350 million products were purchased across the region for Cartoon Network's key properties including Ben 10, Ben 10 Alien Force, Ben 10 Ultimate Alien, Gwen, The Powerpuff Girls and Generator Rex. This year, the award-winning The Amazing World of Gumball and Adventure Time will launch ranges expected to be equally as popular.

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