Zodiak scores kids deals as pair exit

Zodiak Rights has renewed its deal with Discovery Kids Latin America for kids’ series Mister Maker Comes to Town, though the distributor is one of two Zodiak Media units losing executives this week.

Discovery Kids has acquired the first two seasons of the show, which Zodiak-owned prodco The Foundation produces. It has also renewed Mister Maker seasons one and two, which has been broadcasting since 2008 last year.

However, Zodiak Rights is concurrently saying goodbye to senior VP Alex Piel, who is joining Arte as deputy head of its drama unit on September 1. Zodiak is seeking a replacement.

In further news, Robert Marsh is exiting his role as digital unit Zodiak Active’s UK managing director.

“Zodiak Active’s UK operations have recently been re-focused in order to be much more aligned with Active’s HQ operations in Italy, and are strongly focused on two business areas: online automated advertising and online video. Marsh will not be replaced as managing director, as both business lines are now reporting directly to Active’s HQ in Italy,” a company spokesperson said.