INDUSTRY YOUNG GUNS 41
The toy business is brimming with young talent and we thought this should be celebrated. Here, ToyNews presents just some of the industry’s rising stars, from marketing and sales execs, through to retail buyers, product designers, entrepreneurs and inventors…
KIMBERLEY STANTON, 29 Senior Brand Manager, Wheels Mattel
Stanton joined Mattel in April 2007 as assistant brand manager working on the Fisher-Price Baby Gear brand. And she certainly made an impact, with her work –including exclusive range launches with the two biggest retailers – contributing to 32 per cent growth for Baby Gear. A promotion to brand manager
for Barbie followed in 2009, with Stanton being integral in the development and implementation of the 50th anniversary marketing programme in the UK. Among other activity, she planned and executed the Barbie and Ken
STACY HUNT, 27 Category Controller Worlds Apart
Hunt has worked in the toy business for eight years, both buying and developing product across boys, infant and pre-school, games and outdoor toys. Before his role at Worlds Apart, he spent time at Argos, Tesco and Mothercare/ELC in toy buying. Hunt joined Worlds Apart to
steer the product team through new developments in 2011, immediately becoming heavily involved in the development of the Blue Nose
collectable line, the firm’s first master toy range. His years as a
buyer has brought a valuable commercial insight and focus to the firm, impacting on all aspects of business – from design and development through to packaging, POS and customer relationships.
‘Should she take him back?’ campaign and kicked off the national sales promotion with The Saturdays. Stanton then
moved to manage Mattel Wheels, promoted to senior brand manager in September 2011. She has already developed integrated marketing plans for 2012, encompassing the Team Hot Wheels campaign messaging, as well as a launch plan for a new segment within Hot Wheels R/C.
ASHLEY HOLMAN, 29 Senior Category Manager Nickelodeon Consumer Products UK
Having worked in the UK licensing industry for over seven years, Holman has a wealth of experience under his belt and is a popular face within the business. Holman has been a member of
the consumer products team at Nickelodeon for five years, recently taking on responsibility for the toy category. In 2012, his key focus will be to grow evergreen brands Spongebob Squarepants and Dora the Explorer, while also launching toy ranges for Teenage Mutant Ninja
LAURA HODGE, 26
Assistant Category Manager, Toys & Stationery, UK & Ireland The Walt Disney Company
Hodge started her career at Disney as an intern in the marketing department of its TV distribution group while she was still at university. Following her graduation, Hodge returned to Disney – after a brief stint at a media agency – working as marketing assistant for boys and pre-school in the regional toys team. In 2010, she moved to the UK
toys team as marketing coordinator, managing Disney’s toy trade press supplements and the novelties
business, before being promoted to assistant category manager for outdoor toys, consumer electronics, calendars, diaries and posters in November 2010. In addition, Hodge also looks after Halfords and manages the Club Penguin franchise activity across the UK consumer products business.
FEBRUARY 2012
Turtles, Victorious and Winx Club. His
achievements have already been noted in the licensing business, with the Spongebob Squarepants Real Musical Instrument range – resulting from his deal with John Hornby Skewes – picking up the Innovation Award at the 2009 Licensing Awards.
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