CBS is creating a new licensing and merchandising unit under its Entertainment Group, called CBS Consumer Products.
CBS has tapped former Sesame Workshop General Manager Elizabeth Kalodner as its executive vice president and general manager.
In her new role, Kalodner will oversee the network’s worldwide licensing and merchandising business. She is responsible for driving new revenue streams, building brand awareness and expanding audience communities for current series from CBS, CBS Paramount Network Television and CBS Television Distribution.
In addition, Kalodner will oversee the company’s retail stores, online sales of programming merchandise, and create new products and franchises for CBS. She reports to Nancy Tellem, president of the CBS Paramount Network Television Entertainment Group.
“With this move, we’ve created a consumer products operation that is singularly focused and more closely aligned with the programming to better identify and create new business opportunities for our content assets,” Tellem said in a statement.
Kalodner joins CBS from Sesame Workshop, where she was the organization’s executive vice president and general manager, Global Consumer Products. There, she handled the company’s $1.2 billion global-retail business, including theme parks, touring shows, video/audio, toys, gifts, apparel and home furnishings.
Prior to that, Kalodner worked 10 years at the Walt Disney Co. in a number of divisions, including Walt Disney Records, Disney Consumer Products and Film and Television Licensing.
In related news, CBS’s DVD business will become a separate unit, CBS Home Entertainment. Ken Ross, executive vice president and general manager, will head up the new division, which will be part of CBS Television Distribution.
Previously, Ross had managed licensing, merchandising and home video operations for CBS properties.
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