Leveraging global growth of its preschool properties and third-party distribution banner, The Jim Henson Company has promoted two members of its global distribution team and brought aboard a new hire.

Casie Friedman has been promoted to senior director of global distribution, sales, where she will be responsible for worldwide home entertainment and digital sales.

Her successor Amy Takahara (pictured), steps into the role of director, global distribution, sales. She comes to Henson from her post as manager of distribution and marketing at FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment.

Meanwhile Katie Mullins has been upped to coordinator of global distribution, where she will support EVP of global distribution and international consumer products Richard Goldsmith.

The recent staff shuffles are the result of a restructure that started with the previous promotion of Karen Lee Arbeeny to VP of business operations, global distribution. Arbeeny joined the company in 2012 and her responsibilities now include oversight of contract negotiations, business systems and client servicing within the global distribution arm of the company.

Henson currently has five preschool series (Hi Opie!, Dinosaur Train, Doozers, Sid the Science Kid and Pajanimals) airing in territories around the world.

Also on air and represented under the HIP (Henson Independent Properties) third-party banner are Lily’s Driftwood Bay, produced by Northern Ireland’s Sixteen South, and Elias: Rescue Team Adventures, produced by Norway’s Animando in partnership with Iceland’s CAOZ Animation.