Disney taps global license prexy

Ten-year vet de Kanter upped from Miami

By MARC GRASER

HOLLYWOOD -- Disney Consumer Products vet Stephen de Kanter has been tapped prexy of the studio's newly created global licensing origination, which will oversee Disney's worldwide merchandise licensing operations.

Bo Boyd, chairman, and Anne Osberg, prexy of Disney Consumer Products, made the announcement Thursday.

De Kanter has led Disney Consumer Products Latin America since 1989, out of Miami. In his new role, de Kanter will be responsible for planning, strategy and licensee management for Disney's licensing activities.

He will be based in Burbank, working jointly with the newly formed Walt Disney Intl. in overseeing local product assortment and marketing functions outside the United States.

"Stephen has made huge contributions to our organization in the last decade," Boyd said. "Under his leadership, our Latin American business has grown more than 30% annually, and this year will generate retail sales of more than $1.5 billion."

During his 10-year stint at Disney Consumer Products Latin America, de Kanter opened the regional headquarters in Coral Gables, Fla., and nine Disney-owned satellite offices throughout Latin America.

Prior to joining Disney, de Kanter was a marketing executive with Heublein Intl.