Hong Kong – Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE), the merchandising and licensing arm of Cartoon Network, has appointed Ilissa Howard as director, North and South Asia CNE and Asia Pacific Product Development. In the newly created position based in Hong Kong and reporting directly to Dulce Lim-Chen, vice president of CNE Asia Pacific, Howard will be responsible for the overall CNE business in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, South Asia and Taiwan. In addition to the management of local teams in her respective markets, Howard will also take on the key task of spearheading Cartoon Network’s product development initiatives, working closely with the creative team on developing new portfolios for Cartoon Network Originals, acquisitions and regional properties. Previously global brand director for Toys R Us, Howard has a proven track-record in licensing, toys, promotional licensing, retail, sourcing, and product development with industry leaders in her native USA and in Asia Pacific. She also served as global toys manager at Disney and Mattel/Fisher-Price.