FremantleMedia has today announced the appointment of Rick Glankler to the role of EVP/General Manager of Kids & Family Entertainment (KFE).

Based in New York and reporting to FremantleMedia’s Chief Operating Officer, Sangeeta Desai, Glankler will take responsibility for all areas of FremantleMedia’s KFE business: production, consumer products, TV sales and brand management. He will oversee all creative and commercial aspects of the business with the overall responsibility of continuing to grow FremantleMedia's outstanding portfolio of brands into successful global franchises. Under the new structure, Bob Higgins, EVP Creative and Production, Carl Lumbard, Head of Global Licensing & Consumer Products, Joss Duffield VP Distribution & Sales and Tessa Moore, VP Brand Management will continue to lead in their respective business areas, reporting directly into Glankler. Rick Glankler said: “FremantleMedia is one of the most exciting new players in the kids’ space, with fantastic existing content and exciting future plans. I’m very much looking forward to working with the team to continue to create relevant and meaningful franchises that kids and families will engage with across all media platforms.”

Sangeeta Desai, Chief Operating Officer, FremantleMedia said of Glankler’s appointment, “Rick is one of the most respected professionals in the entertainment and toy industries. He is a great all-rounder, with an impressive track record in brand management, sales, licensing and product development, and has worked on some of the most sought-after properties in this space. He will play a major role in taking our impressive slate to the next level.”

Glankler joins FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment (KFE) from Mattel/Fisher Price, where he helped lead the integration and global brand management of HIT Brand’s properties within the Fisher-Price division as part of Mattel’s acquisition of HIT Entertainment.

As Senior Vice President (SVP) at HIT Entertainment, Glankler’s brand, licensing and production leadership helped to build some of the most successful kids’ global franchises ever - including Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Angelina Ballerina and, the newest, Mike the Knight.

Glankler began his career in consumer packaged goods with market leading companies such as PepsiCo, Kraft and J. Walter Thompson, before entering the world of kids’ entertainment.

He takes up his position with FremantleMedia with immediate effect.