Posted: Mon., Jan. 19, 1998, 11:00pm PT

Knowledge taps Simon as senior veep

She'll focus on acquisition and development in new role

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Knowledge Universe, an edutainment content provider recently founded by Oracle Corp. chieftain Larry Ellison and ex-Wall Street darling Michael Milken, is staffing up at its L.A. headquarters.

KU prexy Tom Kalinske announced that the outfit, which is focused on lifelong learning rather than just that of kids, has tapped ex-Philips New Media exec Sarina Simon as senior VP of content, research and development, effective immediately.

Simon's portfolio will be to focus on kickstarting the company's acquisition and development tracks, while also overseeing inhouse research efforts.

Simon comes to KU (not to be confused with similar-sounding Knowledge Adventure, based in La Crescenta) from Philips, where she most recently was prexy of the electronics giant's home and family media division.

She also has worked for Lowell House Publishing as editor-in-chief, and for the Walt Disney Co., where she was executive film producer in its domestic kids' product division.