WOMEN IN TOYS


Jane Garner, Director, Kilogram media


As director of licensing specialist PR agency Kilogrammedia, Garner has worked with some of the biggest licensors, licensees, agents, production companies and others involved in the industry. Founded in 2001, Garner has built up an expansive client base of firms. Recently, Marketme listed Kilogrammedia in its influential list of top ranking social media agencies. The firm came in at a respectable 212.


Zara Grindrod, Sales Director, Rainbow Designs


Grindrod has been in the toy industry for almost two decades. She has always worked with licensed soft toys and for small growing businesses. Her foray into the toy industry was as a receptionist at Giftware International where she worked her way up to become the company's operations director. Grindrod spent six years at Gosh, before joining Rainbow Designs where she has been for the last eight years.


Alison Hubbard, Head of Marketing, K’NEX


Hubbard has dedicated much of her career to the toy industry and has spent time at companies including Mattel, Tomy and Famosa. Now as head of marketing for K'Nex UK she is applying her second-to- none industry experience and knowledge, along with an absolute passion for the industry, to putting together the strong re- launch plans for the brand that were so well received at Toy Fair earlier this year.


www.toynews-online.biz


Marinna Gorey, VP Production, Super Awesome


As a key member of the senior team in SuperAwesome (the kids’ digital marketing platform, reaching 18 million kids each month), Gorey has been responsible for the rollout of the breakout hit, Box of Awesome, which exploded onto the scene last year (and which has been featured many times by ToyNews). Prior to joining SuperAwesome, she spent time at Edelman Digital and was head of production in Wax Agency.


Amanda Gummer, Good Toy Guide


Dr. Gummer has nearly 20 years of experience working with families and children. Eight years ago, she established FUNdamentals, a research- based consultancy that helps providers of children’s products and services to understand more about child development. Her latest project is The Good Toy Guide – an online play advice service providing research, reviews and advice on play and child development.


Rosemary Hughes, Sales Rep, John Adams


Hughes has worked as a sales representative for John Adams for many years. Covering the South East Midlands and South East territories, she has made great friends of many of her customers over the years. Last year saw her celebrate an impressive 30 years with the company and the celebrations were topped off when she received the Golden Teddy award at the TRA Awards last year.


Andrea Gornall, Senior Buyer, Shop Direct


Gornall has worked in the industry for over 20 years. She started in the buying office, working for Index Catalogue stores where she was a trainee buyer, before becoming buyer for girls toys. Gornall continued to grow with the business as it became Littlewoods Home Shopping and then Shop Direct. Last year she was promoted to senior buyer and has been instrumental in helping Shop Direct win the recent award of Online Toy Retailer for 2013.


Lindsay Hardy, Marketing Services Director, Flair


Hardy has enjoyed an illustrious career in the toy industry, having previously worked at LEGO, Tomy and Hasbro. Hardy joined Flair when it was a start up in 1999 and during her tenure, managed the award-winning Sylvanian Families brand for over three years, and helped to treble its turnover. In her current position,


Hardy looks after media, PR, creative/production, research, licensing the exhibitions for the growing Flair portfolio.


Liz Ireland, Director, Bigjigs Toys


Joanne Gray, Marketing Director, Tomy Europe


Gray has been with Tomy for eight years. She was nominated for bringing ‘incredible energy and enthusiasm that filters down through the team’. The team continues: “Joe's knowledge of the industry is impressive and she always on hand to help with any problems, no matter how big or small.” She has been described by the team as an 'unstoppable force.' Gray has also held


managerial positions with United Biscuits.


Wendy Hill, Marketing Director, Mattel


Hill has played a major role in the toy industry since she started at Mattel over a decade ago. She has risen up through the ranks, working on Fisher-Price and Hot Wheels brands and has now reached the position of marketing director through her strong vision, tireless drive and can-do attitude. A colleague offers: “In all the 11 years I have worked with Wendy she has always been courteous, professional and an amazing ambassador for Mattel.”


Marianna Ivancsics, Senior Marketing Mgr, Disney Channels


Ireland started Bigjigs alongside her husband Peter Ireland (now semi-retired) back in 1985 by designing, hand cutting and painting different sized jigsaw puzzles. These were then sold at markets and craft fairs – and as demand grew, so did the business. It now has a range of over 1,500 toys which are sold in over 35 countries. Her passion, desire and business acumen has enabled the firm to grow substantially.


Ivancsic’s Linkedin profile demonstrates a solid background in marketing in TV/broadcast, DRTV and pharmaceutical industries. She has been part of a team that has launched, renamed, rebranded and built number one kids TV propositions in Central Eastern Europe and Emerging Markets. One third party small business owner who she advised last year described her as “so enthusiastic”.


Sponsored by:


Kay Green, UK Marketing Director, Hasbro


Green took on her current role in August 2011. Prior to this, she headed up the toy giant's European marketing team. She is "extremely passionate about the toy industry" and has been championed by Hasbro for “bringing an element of fun to everything she does and is hugely respected by her peers across the sector and her colleagues”. Ryan Blane, Hasbro’s sales director, credits Green for her “inspirational leadership style”.


Suzie Howes, Head of Marketing, Winning Moves


Howes only joined Winning Moves in January. She moved from Vivid Imaginations, where she spent over 12 years, most recently as senior brand manager. Howes helped launch the Moshi Monsters product range to the UK market in 2010. In her new position with Winning Moves, Howes works many of today's leading brands including Top Trumps, Hasbro licensed games, and Bananagrams among others.


Nikki Jeffery, UK Marketing Manager, Famosa


Jeffery is responsible for popular brands including Nenuco, I Love Minnie, Feber and Pinypon. She is a popular personality in the industry described as ‘one of its marketing all rounders, happy juggling TV campaigns and products as sitting with buyers presenting product and selling hard.’ She worked for many


years at RC2, rising from marketing assistant to head up product categories.


March 27


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