APPOINTMENTS Industry moves
This month, VTech bolsters its marketing team, Nickelodeon creates new role of VP, creative, marketing and communication and Jumbo increases its sales presence in the South East
NICKELODEON This month the broadcasting firm has made two key promotions within its consumer products team. ASHLEY HOLMAN (pictured bottom) has been promoted to the role of director of hard lines and business ops, while URSULA MORGAN (middle) steps in to the role of senior retail sales manager. Reporting directly to MARIANNE JAMES, VP consumer products UK and Ireland and European retail sales and marketing, both Holman and Morgan will continue to play a pivotal role in the Nick UK consumer
JUMBO GAMES The games and puzzle specialist has
bolstered
its sales team, welcoming a new sales agent for the South East. KEELY LARGE brings with her eight years experience in the toy sales arena. Large will now be responsible for driving market penetration in the South East. She commented: “The new role is an exciting opportunity for me. I look forward to drawing on my expertise to continue building on the Jumbo Games sales strategy.”
K’NEX Welcoming a new
addition to the team, K’nex Brands has
appointed ALISON HUBBARD as the firm’s new head of marketing. Having previously worked for the likes of Mattel, Tomy and Famosa, Hubbard boasts plenty of experience in the
product team. Meanwhile, Nickelodeon UK has promoted ALISON BAKUNOWICH (pictured top) to the newly created role of VP, creative, marketing and communications, UK and Ireland. Bakunowich previously held the position of VP of marketing and
communications. The creation of the new role follows the departure of the firm’s longstanding creative director, PETER DRAKE. Nickelodeon UK MD, TINA MCCAN, said: “Alison is a great leader, a true brand ambassador and champion for our company.”
toy sector. PAUL FROGARTY, managing director, K’nex UK, said: “Alison’s addition to our team demonstrates our commitment to developing the brand in the UK market. We are looking forward to working together.”
PLAYMOBIL UFFE KLOSTER has
stepped into the role of commercial
director, succeeding industry veteran GRAHAM BRENNAN who has left the company after 13 years. Originally from Denmark, Kloster boasts extensive experience in the European toy business having worked in executive roles in Denmark, Germany, Spain and the UK. KEES NEDERSTIGT, Playmobil vice president,
international sales, said: “We are extremely sorry to see Graham leave and wish him all the best.” Kloster added: “I am looking forward to joining the Playmobil team.”
GEMMA The UK licensed greeting cards
company, has
welcomed the appointment of VINCENZO GALLONE as its international sales manager. Boasting a wealth of experience, Gallone began his career in sales at Marchpole before joining Premier Brands as international sales manager. Gallone commented: “With a portfolio of successful licensed and generic characters, this is an exciting time to join Gemma.”
POETICGEM With its plans for expansion underway, licensed apparel firm, Poeticgem
has strengthened its sales operation with new account manager, KALEIGH DURNEY. The firm entered the licensed apparel scene in 2008 and now boasts a portfolio including Star
VTECHThe firm has strengthened its marketing team with the appointment of ANDREW WELCH and CARLA PROSSER. Welch joins as senior brand manager handling the InnoTab, Switch & Go Dinos and Pre- school Electronic Learning Toy brands. He boasts ten
Wars, Annoying Orange, Cut the Rope, LIFE, The FA and Family Guy. ELLIOT MATTHEWS of Poeticgem, said: “We are growing rapidly thanks to an increasing number of popular brands and products.”
BEANSTALK The firm has promoted LISA REINER to the role of MD of Europe and Asia Pacific. She will now be responsible for overseeing all international operations, including business development and marketing for Beanstalk and its newly launched digital division, Tinderbox. Reiner succeeds CIARÁN COYLE, who leaves the firm to pursue another career in the US. MICHAEL STONE, CEO of Beanstalk, said: “We look forward to Lisa’s fresh perspective on the agency’s international business and are confident that Beanstalk will continue to grow under her leadership.”
AG PROPERTIES CARLA SILVA has been promoted to the role of SVP of global licensing. She has been
years experience in toys, having been senior product manager at Bandai. Meanwhile, Prosser joins as digital marketing manager, boasting ten years of digital experience. Prosser will aim to expand VTech’s online presence, social media activity and develop the VTech Club. VTech marketing director, CLIVE RICHARDSON said: “I am delighted to have Carla and Andrew on board to strengthen the marketing team and focus on our fast growing areas.”
with the firm for six years and will now see her role expand to focus on strategic growth opportunities to broaden the consumer reach for the firm’s classic and new brands. She will report to new AGP president, SEAN GORMAN. He said: “Carla has played an instrumental role in the growth of AG Properties.”
TV MANIA MONIKA ALBERS, VP licensing for the firm, has taken on the overall
responsibility for licensing at the UK operation of the apparel specialist. Albers has a specific remit to expand into new target groups and product areas, as well as adding to existing relationships with key licensors such as LEGO, Disney and Warner Bros. Albers has worked at TV Mania for six years and has held previous roles at CPLG and German children’s TV channel RTL Disney Femsehen Gmbh. She said: “I am very excited to join.”
16 November
www.toynews-online.biz
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