MUMBAI: Animation company Toonz Animation India has opened its new distribution division based in Los Angeles under the registered name of Toonz Entertainment, USA.

Toonz Entertainment will specialize in the worldwide sales and distribution of, animated feature films, direct to video content and television series. Toonz initial distribution slate will consist of Wolverine and X-Men Season 1 and 2, Speed Racer 2, Speed Racer Classic, Mostly Ghostly 2 and 3, Freefonix apart from other well known properties.

The company has appointed Matt Cooperstein as executive vice president of Toonz Entertainment, USA. He will be overseeing the strategic and operational functions of the company. Cooperstein has over 20 years of experience in launching innovative programs and distributing them throughout the US and world-wide marketplace. He has worked with studios such as ITC Entertainment Group, Polygram Television, Universal Worldwide Television, IndieArts Entertainment and Liberation Entertainment.

Toonz Group CEO P. Jayakumar said, "The establishment of a new distribution arm is in pursuance of our vision to grow as a full-fledged media house. We would be able to take to the world properties from our library as well as a portfolio of iconic properties."

Cooperstein added, "I look forward to this challenging opportunity and I am elated to be part of one of the most respected animation houses in the world. We already have acquired the rights to highly branded properties and will be aggressive in adding more titles in the future."