Applause (Woodland Hills, California, 818-992-6000): Pat Pattison is the new director of strategic alliances. Pattison will be responsible for new business development.

BBC Worldwide (London, England, 44-181-576-2000): Colin Jarvis has been named director of programming and operations for international television at the BBC. He will oversee BBC Worldwide’s television investments. Also, Elaine Sperber, formerly head of drama at Buena Vista Productions, has been named executive producer of drama for BBC Production, children’s programs.

BKN (New York, New York, 212-213-2700): Veronique Angelino was promoted to senior VP, worldwide licensing and developing.

CBS Television (New York, New York, 212-975-4321): Jim McKairnes has been promoted from director to VP of program planning and scheduling.

Discovery Communications (Bethesda, Maryland, 301-986-1999): David Falcone is the new director, advertising and promotion at Discovery Digital Networks.

Disney Channel (Burbank, California, 818-569-7500): Thom Noble, formerly regional VP of Pierre Smirnoff Company, has been named U.K. marketing director. He replaces Mike Spencer, who left to start up a consulting firm.

Expand Images (Monte Carlo, Monaco, 377-93-30-23-01) Véronique Perrin has joined as senior brand manager of Expand Licensing. She formerly headed up publishing sales at BBC Worldwide France.

Hasbro (Pawtucket, Rhode Island, 401-431-8697): Herbert Baum has been named president and COO of Hasbro. Baum was formerly chairman and CEO of Quaker State Corporation, and executive VP of Campbell’s Soup Company.

HIT Entertainment (London, England, 44-171-224-1717): In a drive to increase revenue from licensing and merchandising, Norman Walker has been appointed to HIT’s board as a non-executive director. He was formerly chairman and COO of K’NEX International and president of Hasbro International.

itsy bitsy Entertainment Company (New York, New York, 212-989-3660): Ilissa Howard has joined as associate marketing manager, children’s entertainment. Previously with Nickelodeon’s consumer products division, Howard will now oversee the areas of social expressions, gifts and collectibles for itsy bitsy licenses like Teletubbies, Noddy and Animal Shelf. Leslie Hoffman has also come aboard as associate marketing manager, children’s entertainment, working in the toy division. Prior to joining, Hoffman was product development coordinator at Disney Consumer Products. Within itsy bitsy’s existing children’s entertainment department, Brigitte Occhi was promoted to marketing manager, children’s apparel and accessories, domestics and housewares and social expressions, and Laura Spector was upped to associate marketing manager, toys.

National Geographic Society (Washington, D.C., 202-857-7000): Linda Berkeley has been named executive VP of National Geographic Ventures, a separate entity that manages all for-profit initiatives for Nat Geo’s television, interactive and maps departments. Formerly the chairman of MCA’s merchandising groups and senior VP, business development/corporate marketing at MCA Inc., Berkeley is now responsible for managing NG’s newly formed licensing and merchandising division, the Enterprises Group.

Nelvana (Toronto, Canada, 416-588-5571): Patricia Burns, formerly supervising producer at Nelvana’s Toronto-based studio, has been promoted to VP, production at Nelvana Enterprises (Paris). Burns is now responsible for the supervision and planning of all Canadian-European co-productions.

New Line Video (New York, New York, 212-649-4900): Michael Mulvihill has been named executive director of home video production and DVD development. He is the former director of operations at New Line.

Pearson Television North America (New York, New York, 212-541-2800): Richard Mann is the new senior VP of creative services at Pearson Television. He will oversee marketing and promotional development of all Pearson syndicated programming.

Penguin U.K. (London, England, 44-171-938-2200): Margie Chan has been promoted to VP, U.S. brand management for Frederick Warne, Penguin’s classic character division. She is responsible for managing a new team to support Warne’s properties in the U.S. market.

PBS Home Video (Alexandria, Virginia, 703-739-5000): Jonathan Siegel is the new director of retail marketing at PBS Home Video. He will oversee the promotion and retail marketing of PBS videos.

Primetime Television Associates (London, England, 44-171-935-9000): Jayne Pitts, formerly international sales manager at EMAP-owned TV World, has been named deputy head of TV program sales at Southern Star-owned distributor Primetime.

Scholastic (New York, New York, 212-343-6100): Katherine Evans, formerly president of her own consulting firm, has been named director of video marketing and

distribution.

Sony Corporation of America (New York, New York, 212-833-6000): Howard Stringer has been named chairman and CEO of Sony Corporation of America, Thomas Mottola has been named chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment and John Calley takes the chairman and CEO reins at Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Sony Signatures Licensing (Culver City, California, 310-244-7788): Recent promotions at Sony Signatures include: Sharon Sartorius to executive director of business affairs and counsel, Marci Gordon to executive director of licensing, and Liz Tenney to manager of international licensing. As well, Adam Langsbard has been appointed director of marketing, Christiane Friess has been hired as creative director, and Evan Greene has been appointed manager of product development and promotions.

Sony Wonder (New York, New York, 212-833-8100): Laura Sullivan is the new senior director, marketing at Sony Wonder. She was formerly senior director of children’s marketing at PolyGram Video.

The WB Television Network (Burbank, California, 818-977-5000): Susanne Daniels has signed a five-year contract with The WB as president, entertainment. Daniels, who is also responsible for Kids WB!, named Jordan Levin as executive VP, programming, the position she previously held. Daniels will take over from Garth Ancier, who chose not to renew his contract.

THQ (Calabasas, California, 818-223-3116): Former director Jeffrey Lapin is the new vice chairman of the interactive entertainment software company. Steve Ryno is the new chief creative officer and Michael Rubinelli has joined as VP, product development. Tiffany Ternan has been promoted from national sales manager to VP of sales.

Uncle Milton Industries (Westlake Village, California, 818-707-0800): Ravi Patel has been named VP, operations and chief financial officer of the toy company responsible for producing toy lines inspired by Disney/Pixar’s A Bug’s Life. Also, Scott Rubenstein has been named national sales manager.

Universal Studios (Universal City, California, 818-777-1000): Stacey Snider is the new president of production at Universal. She formerly held the same position at TriStar Pictures. Additionally, former senior VP of production at TriStar Kevin Misher is the new co-president, production.

Walt Disney Company (Burbank, California, 818-560-1000): Chris Pula has been named president of Buena Vista Pictures Marketing. He is the former head of theatrical marketing at Warner Bros. Laszlo Cebrian has been named VP and managing director of Walt Disney Company in Germany. Cebrian will also retain his former position as managing director for Disney in Spain and Portugal. Finally, Judson Green has been appointed chairman of the newly formed Walt Disney Attractions unit. Green, formerly head of the theme park and resorts segment, has named Paul Pressler as president of the unit.

Warner Bros. (Burbank, California, 818-954-6000): Jodi Nesis has been named VP, corporate strategic planning and development. She will be responsible for developing strategic initiatives and business relationships with Warner’s television divisions. As well, Ricky Mintz has been named to the newly created position of senior VP at Warner’s in-house creative advertising agency, The Idea Place.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products (Burbank, California, 818-954-7890): Howard Kreitzman has been appointed executive VP, merchandising for Warner Bros. Studio Stores. He was formerly senior VP, general merchandise manager at DFS Merchandising.

Warner Bros. International Television (Burbank, California, 818-954-4068): Lisa Gregorian is the new senior VP of marketing at Warner Bros. International Television Distribution. She is responsible for all advertising, promotion, program publicity and research for the division.