HIT Entertainment, owned by private equity investment group Apax Partners, is one of the world's leading independent children's entertainment producers and rights-owners. HIT's portfolio includes properties, such as Barney™, Bob the Builder™, Thomas & Friends™, Pingu™, Fireman Sam™, Angelina Ballerina™ and Rainbow Magic™. HIT represents Chapman Entertainment's Fifi and the Flowertots™ and Roary the Racing Car™ in North America and Japan, as well as Wallace & Gromit™, Shaun the Sheep™, Timmy Time™ and Aardman Classics from Aardman Animations. HIT also acts as representative for The Wiggles® in the UK.
Launched in 1989, HIT's lines of business span television and video production, content distribution, publishing, consumer products licensing, live events and attractions and has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan. HIT is a part-owner of US preschool channel, PBS KIDS Sprout℠, and international preschool channel JimJam, (outside of the US, UK and China).
For more information, visit http://www.hitentertainment.com.
Rick Glankler, Senior Vice President, Global Brand Management, HIT Entertainment has more than 16 years of Brand experience in entertainment, toy and consumer packaged goods, licensing and product development. In his current role, Mr. Glankler is responsible for the long-term planning and strategic direction for Thomas & Friends™ and Rainbow Magic™ brands worldwide.
Prior to his current position, Mr. Glankler served as Vice President, Licensing, HIT Entertainment, overseeing all U.S. consumer products licensing for the Company's portfolio of world-class preschool brands, including Angelina Ballerina™, Barney™, Bob the Builder™ and Thomas & Friends. Under his direction, Mr. Glankler stewarded the Thomas & Friends brand into the #1 preschool property in the US (Source: The NPD Group / Consumer Tracking Service YTD Q2 2008).
Previously, Mr. Glankler served as Director, Hard Goods Licensing for HIT Entertainment. In this role, he developed and implemented product category strategies across all HIT brands and led both domestic and global toy partner relationships. Additionally, Mr. Glankler served as US Brand Director for Bob the Builder.
Prior to joining HIT, Mr. Glankler served as Senior Brand Manager, RC2. In this role, he managed new product development and integrated marketing campaigns for leading preschool licensees.
Mr. Glankler began his career in sales and marketing development for Frito Lay.
Mr. Glankler received his BS from Indiana University.