HIT ENTERTAINMENT OPENS CANADIAN OFFICE
By Adnews Staff
U.K.-based family entertainment company HIT Entertainment has opened a Canadian office. Toronto-based HIT Entertainment Canada Inc. is headed by vice-president Pam Westman. The office's full-time staff also includes director of sales and marketing Andrea Carpenter, account executives Lani Zigelstein and Lina Goncharenko and manager of Canadian operations Steven Beaton. The office will be responsible for video, DVD and audio sales and distribution for HIT's brands in Canada, which include Barney the dinosaur, Bob the Builder, Angelina Ballerina, Oswald, Kipper, Pingu and The Rubba Dubbers. Pingu and The Rubba Dubbers will begin airing in Canada in 2003 and 2004. HIT also distributes the preschool program The Wiggles in Canada. HIT Entertainment Canada Inc. will also be responsible for marketing, consumer products, licensing and broadcast sales for the brands. HIT's programming airs on YTV, Treehouse, TVO, TeleQuebec and SRC. Public relations for HIT Entertainment in Canada are handled by Aerial Communications Group of Toronto.