TV-Loonland today announced that the company has expanded its senior executive ranks by appointing Bernd Conrad as new Head of Licensing and Merchandising (L&M).

With this appointment TV-Loonland continues to advance the planned build-up of its business as brand managers. TV-Loonland’s L&M business is now set for expansion and will significantly contribute to the planned growth of the company both revenue- and profitwise.

Bernd Conrad

Bernd joins TV-Loonland from Jetix Consumer Products Germany, where he was previously Licensing Director, responsible for the Merchandising and Home Video business in German speaking countries.

Commenting on his appointment, Bernd Conrad said: "After nearly seven years within the licensing industry, my new role as Head of Licensing and Merchandising at TV-Loonland definitely is a step in the right direction. Especially in the last few months, the company has proved its potential for significant growth, based on well-established properties like "Pettson & Findus". The growing portfolio of properties, incuding. "Little Princess" and further projects to be announced, definitely have the potential for a successful licensing program. With the highly motivated and experienced team, we will broaden the L&M activities of TV-Loonland in international markets."

Reporting to TV-Loonland´s COO Olivier Dumont, Bernd will be devising and implementing the company´s strategy on marketing and L&M opportunities as well as being responsible for the selection and management of licensing agents internationally. Furthermore, he will directly handle L&M in German speaking Europe and pan-international deals.

Commenting on the appointment, Olivier Dumont said: “We are thrilled to have Bernd join us. His input into projects in development will help us ensure the best possible licensing and merchandising opportunities and his experience in managing brands will deliver new business to TV-Loonland and strongly support our growing L&M business. His appointment further reflects the clear positioning now of TV Loonland as a major Brand Management company.”

Within his previous role as Licensing Director Bernd was overseeing renowned brands such as ´Princess Sissi´ and ´Monopoly´ and there amongst other achievements established from scratch ´Pucca´ as a widely distributed lifestyle brand for kids and teenagers. Originally Bernd joined Jetix Consumer Products as Sales Manager Licensing and was involved in particular with the successful development of branded L&M activities for third party licensors such as the Hasbro Properties Group.

Bernd Conrad will be operating from the Munich office, effective from the beginning of January 2007.