- A New Day in Arthur’s World? Beleaguered kids’ TV producer Cinar Corp., which produces the popular animated children’s show Arthur, named George Rossi to SVP and CFO. He joins Cinar from a U.S. unit of Astral Group, where he was president. Before joining Astral, he was CFO of Radiomutuel.
With Rossi’s appointment, Cinar is trying to get back on track after a rough year. Seven months ago, Hasanain Panju was fired from the CFO post over the alleged improper misuse of $122 million of the company’s funds. His successor, Jeffrey Gerstein, resigned in March to become VP of taxation. In August, the company dismissed founders Micheline Charest and Ronald A. Weinberg, who had been on administrative leave in March since investors learned of the missing $122 million. The company has yet to produce financial statements for the last fiscal year, and was forced to produce new financial statements for the prior two years. On top of everything, it was delisted from Nasdaq. Before Rossi’s appointment, auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers was performing interim CFO duties.
- Getting out of the Game: First went CFO Jeremy Lewis, and now British computer-game maker Eidos Plc announced that CEO Charles Cornwall resigned, less than a month after Lewis’s departure. The company said both executives left to pursue other interests. Eidos warned that profits will not meet market expectations, largely because of the late arrival of Sony’s PlayStation 2, one of the key consoles that accommodates the company’s games, which include Tomb Raider.
- Now You’re Talking: Robert C. Bicksler was named CFO of Global Metro Networks Ltd. Bicksler joins the Silver Spring, Md.-based communications company from AT&T Canada, where he was executive VP and CFO.
- Do I Feel a Road Trip Coming On? Recreational-vehicle maker Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. named Boyd R. Plowman SVP and CFO. He succeeds Paul M. Bingham, who is retiring after 30 years with the company. Bingham made $841,000 last year.
- And That’s a Wrap: Hollywood talent agency Artists Management Group said CFO Dave Merritt is leaving to start a business strategy company. Controller Dale Reed will take Merritt’s place as finance chief.