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Veteran licensing expert Nancy Fowler joins Nelvana
MUMBAI: Nelvana, leading international producers and distributors of children’s programming and products, have announced the appointment of consumer products industry veteran Nancy Fowler as senior VP, worldwide licensing.
Fowler will be reporting to Nelvana executive VP of business development Doug Murphy and will oversee licensing, marketing and creative services teams in her new role.
“Nelvana has an exceptional reputation within the global licensing industry,” said Fowler. “I’m genuinely proud to be joining the Nelvana team and contributing to the company’s growing consumer products business.”
Fowler brings more than 16 years of consumer products experience to Nelvana. Recently, as president of Worldwide Consumer Products for Burbank-based DIC Entertainment, Nancy oversaw the development of licensing programs for brands including Madeline, Trollz/The Original Trolls and the relaunch of American Greetings’ Strawberry Shortcake franchise, which has reached over $1 billion at retail. While at DIC, Fowler directed a team that managed more than 700 licensees worldwide, and successfully completed the company’s acquisition effort to obtain the global entertainment and licensing rights to McDonald’s brands.
Fowler has earlier served as vice president of Worldwide Licensing for Viacom Consumer Products, the licensing arm of Paramount Pictures Corporation, where she was responsible for a variety of entertainment brands, including Star Trek, South Park, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Tomb Raider. Prior to her eight-year stint at Viacom, Fowler established the licensing division of Alliance Atlantis and was director of marketing for SEGA of Canada.
“Nelvana has made enormous strides these last three years, emerging as a world-class consumer products organization stewarding global brands such as Babar, Beyblade, Miss Spider and now The Backyardigans,” commented Doug Murphy, “We are delighted to welcome Nancy back to Canada and very excited to add her talent and experience to our licensing team.”
Nelvana has also announced several promotions in its licensing division. Mark Northwood, formerly VP of Licensing for North America, is now VP of licensing, the Americas. Previously manager,international licensing Lily Yan is upped to senior manager, international licensing. And former licensing coordinator Lisa Green has been promoted to account executive, licensing.
Nelvana’s is owned by Corus Entertainment, a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in both specialty TV and Radio. The company’s other interests include music, television broadcasting and advertising services.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
