September 03, 2010
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Your Entertainment Franchise Personnel News SourceFranchise News Watch brings you the latest in entertainment franchising personnel news from around the web. As a news aggregator for the entertainment franchise industry, Franchise News Watch streams the latest ground breaking franchise articles, features, guides, blogs, news and more directly to your desktop.  Entertainment Franchise Personnel NewsAlamo Drafthouse Founder Returns to Spotlight as New CEOThe creator of what Texas Monthly has dubbed "the most important film festival in America" announces he is returning to his starring role as CEO of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema brand, effective immediately. Tim League, founder of the... Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas Names New COOAlamo Drafthouse Cinemas, the nation's oldest cinema-eatery concept showing first-run films - named best movie theater in America by Entertainment Weekly - is proud to announce Craig Paschich as the company's chief operating officer, a newly created... Blockbuster Further Strengthens Commitment to Multi-Channel Entertainment DeliveryBlockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI, BBI.B), a leading global provider of media entertainment, today cemented its commitment to multi-channel delivery of entertainment by hiring former Philips executive Kevin Lewis as Senior Vice President, Digital Entertainment. Chuck E. Cheese's Announces New Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer of International DevelopmentCEC Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: CEC) today announced the appointment of Michael Beacham as Senior Vice President-Chief Operating Officer of International Development. Beacham is responsible for directing the company's growth internationally as well as... The Travel Franchise Group Announces Shifts for LeadershipToday, The Travel Franchise Group – North America's largest travel agency franchisor with over 1,700 franchised locations under four brands – announced that two key members of its executive management team would shift into different roles with CEC Entertainment Announces Executive PromotionsThe Board of Directors of CEC Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: CEC) today announced that President Michael H. Magusiak will become Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company effective December 29, 2008. Richard M. Frank, currently Chairman and... Gamer Doc(TM) Video Games Expands Franchise Development TeamGamer Doc(TM), the retail video game store that delivers a new and interactive customer experience, today announced that Darren Monahan has been tapped to fill the newly-created director of franchise development position. He reports to David Walker... Gamer Doc(TM) Video Games Adds Brian Seligman to Area Developer TeamGamer Doc(TM), the retail video game store that delivers a new and interactive customer experience, today announced that Brian Seligman has joined the company as the Area Developer for Northern Virginia and Atlanta. EagleRider Appoints Director of Corporate OperationsEagleRider, the world's largest motorcycle rental company, is happy to announce the appointment of Barry Breckon as Director of Corporate Operations. Christophe Alaux appointed Chief Operating Officer Hotels FranceChristophe Alaux will join Accor as Chief Operating Officer, Hotels France, effective August 11, 2008. Pump It Up Expands Management Team Following Merger with BounceUPump It Up, the nation's largest franchise of interactive, indoor inflatable playgrounds for private parties, announced today that it has added two highly experienced franchising executives to its management team, including a Vice President of... H3 Enterprises, Inc. Announces New Management TeamH3 Enterprises, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: HTRE) ("H3" or the "Company") announces the revamping of its management team to focus on building strong internal controls to help manage the Company's expansion efforts. IHG continues to boost Asia Pacific marketing and sales team with seven key appointmentsIHG Asia Pacific today announced seven key appointments to its marketing and sales leadership team in the region, specifically designed to drive brand performance and support the accelerated expansion of the IHG brands in the Asia Pacific region. Blockbuster Recruits Seasoned Entertainment Executive Jeffrey Calman to Head New Media Content & Studio RelationsBlockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI, BBI.B) announced it has appointed Jeffrey Calman to the newly created position of Vice President Studio Relations and New Media. Blockbuster Inc. Names Rebeca Johnson Chief Marketing OfficerBlockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI, BBI.B) announced the appointment of Rebeca "Becky" Johnson as Chief Marketing Officer. H3 Enterprises, Inc. Announces New Chief Technology OfficerH3 Enterprises, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: HTRE), the world's first publicly traded hip-hop company, has hired Jordan Edelson as Chief Technology Officer and Digital Entertainment Director to spearhead H3's video gaming and web property development. IHG appoints David Tessier, Senior Vice President and CFO for the Americas RegionIHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)], one of the world's largest hotel groups by number of rooms, has named David Tessier to be senior vice president and chief financial officer in the Americas region. Gamer Doc(TM) Adds David Walker and Pat Harriman To Executive TeamGamer Doc(TM), the retail video game store that delivers a new and interactive customer experience, today announced that it has added David Walker and Pat Harriman to its executive team. Red Roof Inn Adds Two New Senior VPs To Growing RanksRed Roof, an innovative leader in the economy lodging segment, announces the addition of two key members to their growing ranks. Retired Four-Star U.S. Army General Tommy Franks Appointed to CEC Entertainment, Inc. Board of DirectorsCEC Entertainment, Inc. announced today that retired four-star U.S. Army General Tommy Franks has been elected to its board of directors effective March 26, 2008. Cruise Holidays Names Jim Pascale as Director of Franchise DevelopmentToday, Cruise Holidays announced that Jim Pascale is its new director of franchise development. Accor appoints Michael Issenberg as Chairman And Chief Operating Officer, Asia PacificAccor announced today the appointment of Michael Issenberg as Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Accor Asia Pacific and as a member of Accor Executive Committee effective 4 February 2008. Play N Trade Adds Tom McMahon to Executive TeamPlay N Trade Franchise, Inc., one of the fastest-growing franchises worldwide, today announced that Tom McMahon has been named to fill the position of chief operating officer, bringing more than 20 years of benchmark-setting retail growth and expansion... Play N Trade Names Jeff Broviak Vice President of Brand StrategyPlay N Trade Franchise, Inc., one of the fastest-growing franchises worldwide, today announced that retail video game expert Jeff Broviak has been named to fill the newly-created position of vice president of brand strategy... Jeffrey Palmer Named Senior Vice President Of Sales And Marketing For Motel 6 And Studio 6Accor North America, one of the largest hotel chain owner and operators in North America, announces the hiring of Jeffrey Palmer as senior vice president of sales and marketing for Motel 6 and Studio 6. IHG Names David Greydanus, Senior Vice President, North America OperationsIHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)], one of the world's largest hotel groups by number of rooms, has named David Greydanus, senior vice president, North America Operations. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Board AppointmentInterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) today announces that Ms Ying Yeh has been appointed an additional independent Non-Executive Director of the Company. Play N Trade Names Roger Lloyd New CEOPlay N Trade Franchise, Inc., one of the fastest-growing franchises worldwide, today announced that Roger Lloyd has been named the new CEO. He replaces Yuvi Shmul, who will remain on the board of directors. AmericInn International, LLC Names Thomas Giuliano Director of Franchise Sales and DevelopmentAmericInn International, LLC announces the appointment of Thomas Giuliano as director of franchise sales and development. Giuliano joined the franchise sales team October 15, 2007 and will cover the New England and Mid-Atlantic states. Dana Peluso Named Senior Legal Counsel For Accor North AmericaAccor North America, one of the largest hotel chain owner and operators in North America, announces the promotion of Dana Peluso to Senior Legal Counsel. Blockbuster Inc. Names Eric H. Peterson EVP, General Counsel & SecretaryBlockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI)(NYSE: BBI.B) today announced the appointment of Eric H. Peterson as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Blockbuster Inc. Names Thomas M. Casey EVP & Chief Financial OfficerBlockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI)(NYSE: BBI.B) today announced the appointment of Thomas M. Casey as the company's new Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Accor North America Announces Executive ChangesAccor North America, the largest hotel owner operator in North America, today announced key executive changes. Blockbuster Announces Departure of Chief Operating Officer Nick ShepherdBlockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI)(NYSE: BBI.B) today announced that Nick Shepherd, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), will leave the company as of the end of September. Blockbuster Inc. Names Keith Morrow Chief Information Officer and David Podeschi Senior VP, Merchandising, Distribution and LogisticsBlockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI)(NYSE: BBI.B) today announced it has appointed two senior level executives to its management team. |
Features & Special ReportsFranchising With Family Members Can Be Fraught With Danger Or Filled With SuccessIt can be difficult enough to get a franchise up and running on your own, or with other operational and investing partners, but it can be downright arduous if family members are involved in the deal. But that's the route some franchisees take and when done properly this management model can provide years of personal and professional harmony. But there are some secrets to making it work. Go in unprepared and you could break up a business and a family. The Winner's ColumnAs savvy franchise companies continue to flourish in this challenging economy, FUSR will continue to bring you good news each month, highlighting brands that are adding units, increasing comp store sales, striking deals with investors, and continuing to grow despite the economy - maybe even because of it. And, as the U.S. struggles through its "jobless recovery," growth-oriented franchisors continue to look overseas for expansion opportunities. Sales Intelligence for Superior Performance, Part 2Aggressive growth companies measure the performance of their sales personnel just as they do their advertising. With high recruitment expenses you can't afford mediocre selling performance, which costs dearly in lost franchise deals. A policyholder survey by Prudential Insurance revealed that the greatest influencing factor in the buying process is the sales person. Turning Around Struggling FranchiseesTwo years of tight credit and reduced consumer spending have left many franchisees reeling and put a serious crimp in franchisors' royalty streams. Workout professionals and bankruptcy attorneys experienced in franchising discuss what franchisors can do to help turn around distressed units - without spending scarce funds or getting themselves into legal hot water. New Gift Card Regulations Kicked in August 22ndLast year when President Obama signed the Credit Card Act of 2009 (the Act") into law, the nation's attention largely focused on those provisions of the law that aim to change the way credit card companies do business with consumers. However, since the Act imposes requirements on gift card issuers, it also changed the way many retailers and franchise companies will do business with consumers. Strong Cultures Sell More Franchises!Every franchise organization has a culture, the same way every person has a personality. If your franchise brand is serious about growth and development, ask yourself these two questions: 1) Does our franchise system have a strong, positive culture?; and 2) Is it a culture that promotes selling franchises? Special Operations: Franchising in a Strange LandOpening franchise units in nontraditional locations has been the domain of specialists--but not anymore. With the economy still slumping, lending still tight, and suburban expansion at a standstill, many multi-unit franchisees are exploring the viability of sites such as airports, hotels, colleges, senior centers, highway rest stops, hospitals, and military bases. Rolling with the Punches: Franchisors Continue Adapting to ChangeThe rules and methods for franchise sales are changing daily with the general public's increasing awareness of the economy, deficits, lending, the housing market, and more. As some of us "graybeards" can remember, this isn't the first time the rules have changed--and it won't be the last. Change on the HorizonJust like any business, the franchising business is one that I have seen evolve tremendously over the past 30 years. While many of the cornerstones and crucial elements - product, simplicity, control, and support - remain the same, so much is changing. Hiring Entrepreneurs: A Case Study of Hiring the Spirit of SuccessAs we continue to mine Dave Melton's book, <i>Hire the American Dream,</i> I thought it would be interesting to highlight a case study that demonstrates just how successful smart hiring can be. Here Melton describes his experience hiring an immigrant.
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