The pastel pinks and greens and blues of Hello Kitty are just too cute. In a recently issued press release, Sanrio Digital announced that former Turbine executive Robert Ferrari has joined their team as vice president of Publishing and Business Development. After a lengthy stay at Turbine pushing their products (AC, DDO, and LOTRO) to a global audiene, Bob joined up with the Hello Kitty Online publishers to help drive their upcoming release of the kid-friendly MMO and their other upcoming projects.

Here's the entire release:

Sanrio Digital (www.sanriodigital.com) announced today the appointment of Robert Ferrari as vice president of Publishing and Business Development. Ferrari will be based in Boston, MA and will assemble a US team and network of partnerships to drive Sanrio Digital’s Hello Kitty Online (www.hellokittyonline.com) and other initiatives in virtual worlds, gaming, and social networks on PC, console, and handheld platforms.

Ferrari brings a wealth of global business experience to Sanrio Digital. Ferrari, a highly respected veteran and executive in the online games industry, was previously vice president of Business Development at Turbine Inc., a leading publisher and developer of massively multiplayer online games. Having joined Turbine in 2004, Ferrari was instrumental to the company’s strong growth and global expansion. He was responsible for strategic partnerships, the company’s transition to self-publishing, licensing, digital distribution, and traditional retail channel initiatives. His efforts contributed to the success of Turbine’s award-winning online games, including The Lord of the Rings Online™, Dungeons & Dragons Online™: Stormreach™, and Asheron's Call®. Prior to his tenure at Turbine, Ferrari held senior executive roles at interactive media and consumer product companies, including the positions of vice president of Sales and Business Development at Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG), vice president of Business Development at Websurfer Inc, and executive vice president of Sales and Marketing at Merinta Inc.

“I am pleased to welcome Robert to Sanrio Digital,” said Yat Siu, chief executive officer of Sanrio Digital. “We are excited to secure such a well-respected and experienced industry professional on our team. Robert’s established background and reputation in MMOs and social gaming make him the ideal driver for our publishing and business development efforts across the Americas, Europe and other markets. I am certain he will contribute greatly to our global strategy and success.”

Ferrari commented, “It is an honor to join Sanrio Digital and have the opportunity to shape the future of social gaming. I have known this organization for years and hold it in the highest respect. There is no company better positioned for the convergence of online gaming, virtual worlds, and social networks than Sanrio Digital. I very much look forward to working in such a dynamic studio and taking social gaming to the next level.”