Both ADV Films and Tokyopop announced major executive hires today.  ADV has hired Frank Wolbert as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, with primary responsibility for sales and marketing of home video, music, and published material.  Wolbert comes from Advanced Marketing Services, where he was Vice President of Marketing, Business Development.  AMS is the parent of Publishers Group West (distributor of Viz to the book trade), as well as a major wholesaler to mass merchants.  It also has recently acquired distribution entities outside of the U.S..  Before his stint at AMS, Wolbert also spent time in management positions at Baker and Taylor.  In addition to being a major producer of U.S. editions of anime DVDs and anime soundtracks, ADV recently added publishing to its portfolio, with the release of the American edition of Newtype (see 'Newtype Print Run Doubled').  With the hire, ADV's Kevin Corcoran has been named Executive Vice President and retains CFO and COO titles. 

 

Tokyopop has hired Steve Galloway as Executive Director of Development, with responsibility for developing and selling Tokyopop properties into domestic film and TV media.  Galloway comes from Nelvana, Universal Music Group, and Pioneer Laser Entertainment.  He will report directly to Tokyopop CEO Stuart Levy.