Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), owned by Viacom Inc (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), has appointed Tanya Visano to the newly created position of Senior Director, Nickelodeon Consumer Products (NCP) for Canada, effective immediately. The news, which underlines the company’s strategic commitment to expand and further deepen its licensing and merchandising operations in Canada, was announced today by Jon Graham, Vice President and General Manager, Viacom International Media Networks Canada and Mike Connolly, Senior Vice President, Consumer Products, VIMN, to whom Visano will dually report.

Based in Toronto, Visano will be responsible for driving the licensing and merchandising business through day-to-day collaboration with Canada’s long time exclusive licensing agent, Studio Licensing Inc., and in close partnership with the division’s global consumer products partners in the region, including THQ, Fisher Price, Simon & Schuster and Paramount. In addition, Visano will look to develop and maximise retail strategies for cross store activities with key licensees as well as growing the MTV brand licensing portfolio and acting as point person between Studio Licensing Inc. and Nickelodeon Consumer Products operations in New York.

“This appointment builds on the huge momentum and success we’ve already achieved in Canada through key partnerships with Corus Entertainment, CTV and Studio Licensing,” commented Graham. “Tanya’s strong relationships and deep understanding of the Canadian market and her top licensing credentials make her the perfect addition to our team and will be instrumental in taking our business to the next level in a key region.”

The NCP Canada division has established and elevated iconic animation SpongeBob SquarePants and beloved pre-school character Dora the Explorer, to evergreen status in the market. With more than 150 licensees, NCP Canada will continue to build on this success with licensing programmes planned to roll out across Canada for new properties including Victorious, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Winx Club, along with the recent breakout MTV reality show, Jersey Shore.

Visano joins NCP Canada from Mega Brands, where she was Director, National Accounts. Prior to this, Visano held the position of Manager, Retail Business Development at The Walt Disney Company where she was awarded the 2009 Disney, North American Sales Person of the Year accolade and managed relationships with key accounts such as Toys “R” Us and Costco.