Industry Leader Willie Ito Added to the Cambridge Who's Who Network
Willie Ito Has Showcased 45 Years of Animation Experience with Walt Disney and Warner Bros.

MONTEREY PARK, CA, July 27, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Willie Ito, who retired from The Walt Disney Company as Animation Artist, Cartoonist and Director of Character Art International, has been recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for showing dedication, leadership and excellence in all aspects of animation.

Mr. Ito has enjoyed a colorful 45-year career, concluding his time at Walt Disney in 1999. As a member of the comic strip and consumer products division, he was responsible for drawing cartoons, mentoring up-and-coming artists around the world, designing merchandise and collectibles, and ensuring licensed products meet standards of quality. Previously, Mr. Ito lent his talents to such media giants as Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., Hanna-Barbera, and Sanrio CO., LTD. He also worked for a year with Bob Clampett on the series "Beany and Cecil," and contributed to the development of the classic cartoon characters Bugs Bunny and the Road Runner.

Now in business for himself, Mr. Ito co-founded a publishing company, Yabitoons Book, LLC. It has already published one children's book, "Hello Maggie," which aims to educate future generations of Japanese-Americans about the wartime incarcerations of their parents and grandparents. He is currently working on a sequel, as well as a series of sketchbooks showcasing the works of his former colleagues in animation. Mr. Ito, who had wanted to be a cartoonist since he was a boy, attributes the fulfillment of his childhood dream to his passion for his profession and to the mentorship he received from another Japanese-American cartoonist, who served as an inspiration to him.

A graduate of the City College of San Francisco, Mr. Ito earned his Associate of Arts in General Studies in 1954. He also completed coursework at the Chouinard Art Institute. He is a member of Motion Picture Screen Cartoonists (now The Animation Guild) and the Comic Art Professional Society. Honors of which he is a recipient include a Golden Award Lifetime Award for Dedication, Perseverance and Hard Work from the National Japanese American Historical Society and the 24 Carrot Award from Warner Bros. in recognition of outstanding contributions to W.B. and the animation industry.

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Ellen Campbell
Cambridge Who's Who
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