Genius Brands International (GBI) has appointed Cindy Kelly to serve as head of advertising sales and co-chief revenue officer role for its rapidly growing OTT Kartoon Channel!.
Beginning today, Kelly reports to Kartoon Channel! president Jon Ollwerther and will focus on advertising sales and brand, content and event sponsorships for the channel.
She’s working alongside Todd Steinman, a former Disney exec who joined GBI as chief revenue and marketing officer for its new ad-free subscription streaming service Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse on January 20. He’s also overseeing subscriptions and marketing for Kartoon Channel! now.
Kelly joins GBI from production and distribution company Entertainment Studios, where she served as president of advertising sales. She also previously worked as an account exec at Cartoon Network and as a broadcast account supervisor at Ogilvy & Mather Advertising, leading media strategy for the likes of Mattel Toys and Paramount Pictures.
This hire comes right on the heels of GBI promoting Kerry Phalen into a newly created chief brand officer role at the end of January.