Brunico Communications, publisher of Strategy, has made several management changes in conjunction with its launch of Kidscreen, an international business magazine.

The first issue of Kidscreen will appear in January 1996.

The monthly magazine is targeted at all those involved in reaching children through entertainment software.

‘We have identified an excellent opportunity to enter the international market from our operational base in Canada, and this opportunity builds upon the expertise we have already developed with our current publications’, says Brunico President James Shenkman.

In addition to Strategy, The Canadian Marketing Report, Brunico also publishes Playback, Canada’s Broadcast and Production Journal, Playback International and Canada on Location.

Kathy Hamill has been named vice-president and group publisher of Brunico, of which she is also a shareholder.

‘Kathy’s immediate focus will be to not only consolidate, but continue building upon the strong leadership position we have established in the Canadian production and communications sectors,’ Shenkman says.

‘She’s been with us for six years, is a key part of the senior management team, and once we have our new product up and running, she’ll be taking on more publications,’ he says.

‘During the upcoming launch phase, however, I’ll be devoting a great deal of my own time to Kidscreen, and both [Kidscreen Editor] Mark Smyka and [Kidscreen Publisher] Ken Faier will be dedicating almost all of their energies to the new magazine.

‘We don’t want to underestimate the challenge of publishing on an international basis, and we certainly don’t want to miss a beat with our current papers.’

Patrick Allossery moves up to editor of Strategy from news editor, and Mary Maddever moves up to editor of Playback from managing editor.

Both will now report directly to Hamill.

Allossery has worked on Strategy since its first year of publication in 1989 and has been news editor since 1993.

Maddever joined Brunico and Playback in 1987, moving over to the editorial department in 1988 and became managing editor in 1994.

Alex Beckett, who has written for Strategy for the past year, becomes news editor, while Pamela Cuthbert moves up to associate editor of Playback.

Barbara Smith has also returned from a four-month sabbatical to her previous role of Strategy special reports editor.

Mark Smyka, founding editor of Playback and Strategy and also a Brunico shareholder and vice-president, becomes editor of Kidscreen, as well as chairman of a newly formed Brunico editorial committee, which is involved at the level of editorial plans and policies for each of the company’s publications.

Smyka is withdrawing from the day-to-day editorial activities of Strategy and Playback in order to fully immerse himself in the children’s communication sector.

Shenkman and Smyka founded Brunico nine years ago and this will be Smyka’s third launch.

Shenkman describes as ‘invaluable’ Smyka’s abilities to quickly identify the issues of interest to readers and make the important editorial contacts within any new business sector, as well as his talent in recruiting writers, columnists, and editors.

Ken Faier, who until now has been associate publisher of Strategy and Playback, and who joined Brunico six years ago, will be publisher of Kidscreen.

Faier identifies four major trends influencing the timing of this launch.

‘First, the children’s entertainment market is growing by leaps and bounds,’ he says.

‘Second, licensing and other ancillary merchandising, as well as the advent of new media, have changed the economics and structure of every deal.

‘Third, consumer marketers are targeting children more and more as they gain purchasing power, and as the extent of their purchasing influence is increasingly recognized.

‘And fourth, the marketplace continues to become increasingly globalized.’

Kidscreen will provide a single source of news about the use of motion picture, television, home video, and new media to reach the children’s market.

Its coverage will tie together the many different aspects of the business, including news and trends about content, scheduling, ratings, advertising, promotion, licensing, and other ancillary merchandising opportunities.

‘Only about 6% of Kidscreen’s circulation is expected to be in Canada, with over 75% located in the United States,’ Shenkman says.

‘The controlled circulation in the United States will include producers, broadcasters, national marketers, retailers, and ad agencies,’ he says.

‘International circulation, including in Canada, will be aimed primarily at broadcasters and producers.’

Shenkman also notes that while, currently, there are trade magazines in the various related disciplines, such as production, distribution, advertising and licensing, none of these focus on children alone, and none offer the overall perspective of Kidscreen.

Replacing Faier as associate publisher of Strategy and Playback is Shelley Middlebrook, who has been national sales manager of Playback for the past two years.

Joanne Nevison becomes district sales manager, with all Toronto and Montreal advertising representatives reporting to her.