New York/London, 17 January 2011: Leading family entertainment producer, distributor and licensor, Chorion, is expanding its Americas team with the appointment of key executive talent. Bob Traub returns to Chorion as SVP, Licensing for the Americas; Joan Grasso is appointed Vice President, Toys and Games Licensing, and Lindsay Martinez is Vice President Brand Management and Marketing.
Bob Traub is charged with building the Americas licensing program through developing retail first strategies designed to deliver long-term growth across Chorion’s extensive portfolio of classic and TV brands. Prior to Chorion, Bob served in key sales and licensing positions including Director of Sales at Nestle and Marvel Entertainment and more recently as SVP Retail Development at BBC Worldwide and prior Nickelodeon where he launched brands including Blue’s Clues, Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants.
Joan Grasso is responsible for building Chorion’s toys and games business for the Americas and strategically managing partnerships with global master toy partners for OLIVIA, The World of Eric Carle, Noddy, and Mr. Men and Little Miss.
Joan has extensive toy experience having worked for major toy and entertainment companies such as Mattel/Fisher-Price Friends, Nickelodeon and American Greetings. Her expertise includes managing toy line development for some of the most premiere kids’ entertainment brands such as Winnie the Pooh, Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants, Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears.
As Vice President of Brand Management and Marketing, Lindsay Martinez is responsible for the strategic development and execution of brand plans and spearheading brand marketing initiatives across consumer and trade for Chorion’s portfolio in the Americas. Lindsay joined Chorion from HiT Entertainment where she was responsible for the global brand management of Barney and Angelina Ballerina and previously she was Director, Retail Marketing and Promotions. Prior to HiT, Lindsay worked at American Greetings Properties as Director, Marketing and Brand Management and before that at United Media as Brand Manager.
Commenting on the appointments, Steve Cipolla, EVP Global Licensing and Sales at Chorion says: “We are thrilled to bolster our Americas team with seasoned executives whose expertise align with Chorion’s short term growth initiatives and long term business goals.”
For further information contact Blueprint PR:
Janet Balmforth Tel: +44 (0) 8868 0511 or Email: janet@blueprintpr.co.uk
About Chorion 
Chorion is a leading provider of quality family entertainment for the global marketplace. Chorion brings a combination of brand management savvy and creative vision to the development of literary copyrights across all media. Chorion’s portfolio includes classic children’s brands such as Mr. Men and Little Miss, Beatrix Potter, Paddington, Noddy, OLIVIA, and The World of Eric Carle as well as art and lifestyle brands. Chorion also owns and manages the literary works of Agatha Christie, Raymond Chandler and Georges Simenon, among others. Chorion’s animated television productions include OLIVIA, The Mr. Men Show, Famous Five: On the Case and Noddy and Noddy in Toyland. New productions for 2010 include The Octonauts and Gaspard and Lisa. Chorion has offices in London, New York and Sydney. For more information, please visit www.chorion.co.uk