INDUSTRY YOUNG GUNS 43
JEN RUSTON, 25 Toy Consultant Aardvark Swift
Ruston has been covering the toy market for recruitment firm Aardvark Swift for two years, securing business and successfully filling vacancies for the likes of Mattel, Hasbro, Flair, Disney and LeapFrog. In addition, she is helping Aardvark move into the licensing sector, working with companies including CPLG, 4Kids and eOne. About to exhibit at her second Toy Fair,
Ruston has also played an instrumental part in the Alternative Toy Fair Party, which is being held on the second night of the show. Also, an interesting fact, according to her nominator, Ruston used to play the baddie characters at Disneyland Paris, which has possibly stood her in good stead for being the only toy consultant among Aardvark’s main games business.
ELLA WILLIAMSON, 29 Product & Marketing Specialist BBTradesales
Williamson has worked in the industry since graduation, beginning at e-tailer I Want One of Those, becoming a buyer within three years of joining. She arrived at BBTradesales in 2011, having worked closely with the firm for almost five years during her time at IWOOT. She is responsible for raising product and brand awareness, and working alongside designers. Williamson’s role at BBTradesales is just one string to her bow, however. She is also the resident toy expert for Argos TV, gadget columnist for Look Magazine, occasional gadget girl for BBC2’s Something for the Weekend and a freelancer for VTech and Duracell.
MATTHEW SHAW, 25 Product Manager, Pre-school, Platforms & Licences – VTech
Shaw was nominated because of his considerable progress over the past 12 months, leading VTech’s digital marketing efforts, including building its following on Facebook and Twitter. Shaw also looked after the
marketing plans for InnoTab, as well as being responsible for VTech’s live consumer events.
MATT JONES, 27
Head of Member & Special Events BTHA
Jones looks after the various events that the BTHA runs outside Toy Fair. Within his remit are the Toy Industry Awards, the BTHA AGM & Industry Day, and Toy Trust fundraising events. In addition, Jones organises
the BTHA’s presence at external events. As a BTHA rep on the Toy Trust Committee,
Jones is also involved in event planning including the Big Kids Bike Ride, the Alternative Triathlon and this year’s Three Peaks Challenge.
RICKI CURTIS, 27 Key Account Manager Hornby
Curtis has worked his way up from marketing assistant at Corgi, getting his first break in sales working on the premiums side of the business (b2b selling). He smashed his target in the 2010/11 financial year setting a new high for this section of the business. His new role sees him cutting his teeth on
national accounts, as well opening new accounts. According to his nominator, Curtis earns respect and wants to exceed every goal – two crucial requirements to be an outstanding sales person.
PETER GRIFFIN, 28 Development Director, EMEA Winning Moves
A newcomer to the toys and games business compared with some in our listing, Griffin joined Winning Moves in 2011 after completing an MBA at Imperial College London and working at Google. In just eight months he has built up a new
corporate and custom games division at the firm. He has also created a new EMEA distribution network for its Affinity Editions of Hasbro’s games, including Monopoly, Twister and Cluedo.
STEWART BETTS, 28 Senior Designer John Crane
Betts joins John Crane from Sue Ryder, where he designed its wooden products – mainly dolls houses and furniture, stools and bedroom accessories. Career highlights include
developing guitars with The Shadows’, Mark Griffiths; designing a wooden castle and plastic figurine toys for a Sue Ryder token promotion with The Daily Mail; as well as doing POS, packaging and product photography.
ROBYN MORGAN, 27 Licensing Director Underground Toys
Morgan has been involved with Underground Toys since its early days, beginning as MD Andy Oddie’s PA. She has since worked her
way up, helping the firm become a player in a competitive market. Morgan handles product development, with a focus on licensing and brand enhancement, while also managing the US division of Underground’s licensing acquisitions and activities.
ANDY CLARK, 24
National Account Sales Manager The Macaw Partnership
One of the youngest on our list, Clark is described as a ‘human dynamo’ by his boss Andrew Wood. First discovered in Wood’s
local pub three years ago, Clark joined as trainee national account sales manager, working with Tesco, Argos, Toys R Us, Sainsbury’s and Asda to name a few. Clark has helped to grow the firm’s business
with Ty UK and RMS, and has visited Hong Kong and Nuremberg toy fairs several times, building up contacts and his reputation.
30 UNDER 30 HONOURABLE MENTIONS We had a flood of nominations from all sectors of the business, meaning a number of no less worthy youngsters didn’t get a spot in the final listing. Some of those were: Nicola Whelan-Stuttard, The In Thing; Jen Wilson, Amscan; Emma Raye, Hornby; Nicola Woodward, John Crane; Stewart Cole, Worlds Apart; Richard Venner, Vivid; Richard Belford, Simba Smoby Toys; Vernon Kerswell, Extreme Toys; Selina Dangerfield, Norton; Lydia Ford, Norton; Lauren Green, Evolution PR; and the ranks of Mattel’s army of youthful talent, Rebecca Harris, Julia Slater, Kimberley Good, Katie Warren, James Bents, Danielle Lovegrove, Rebecca Clewes, Olivia McMahon, Simta Sandhu and Laura Codling.
FEBRUARY 2012
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