MCA Names Consumer Products Unit Chief

MCA Inc. named James J. Klein, president and chief operating officer of toy marketer Applause Enterprises, to the new position of president of its Consumer Products Group.

Klein has been at Applause--known for selling plush toys and other products licensed from the entertainment industry--since 1991.

Klein will develop a strategy for MCA’s retail consumer products business as well as overseeing licensing and merchandise activity. He will report to MCA Executive Vice President Sandy Climan.

Separately, the company named former Carolco Pictures executive Lynwood Spinks as executive vice president of MCA Motion Picture Group, and Robert Rubin was appointed senior vice president of business affairs at MCA’s Universal Pictures unit.

At MCA Music Entertainment Group, Paul Cooper was named vice president. He previously was a senior vice president with Warner Music U.S.

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Rita Chiappetta Thibault has been promoted to senior vice president of finance and operations for New Line Home Video.

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David Mumford has been promoted to executive vice president of planning and operations for Columbia TriStar Television Distribution.

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Dick Askin has been named president and CEO of Tribune Entertainment Co.

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LaVerne Evans has been promoted to vice president of legal and business affairs for North America for BMG Entertainment.

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Andrew J. Mandell has been named vice president of operations planning for Walt Disney Co.

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Helen Boehm has joined MTV Networks as senior vice president of public responsibility and network standards.

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Brian Neimark was promoted to director of worldwide operations for MTM Worldwide Distribution.