industrymoves
Mattel UK has announced that Dominic Geddes has been promoted to VP and country manager for UK, Ireland and Nordics, reporting directly to Geoff Walker. In this new position Dom will also become a member of the European Leadership Team for Core Europe. Geoff Wallker, general manager UK, said: “Dom’s wealth of experience will play a critical role in accelerating growth within the UK market within our new Europe structure, and we are confident that with Dom’s knowledge of the UK toy market and the strong relationships he has with all our key partners, he is uniquely positioned to continue the momentum for Mattel UK.”
Gibsons has appointed two new members to its team. Priya Patel joins the company in the newly created role of operations assistant and Carrie Scott as office assistant. Priya will support the head of operations in sourcing and supplying their extensive range of puzzles, games and playing cards. Carrie will provide administrative support to the entire team including sales order entry and new account openings.
Rachael Craig has joined MGA Entertainment as European marketing manager for Little Tikes. This appointment forms part of a restructure of the company’s UK marketing department, following the recent retirement of Gerry Tekerian from his position as European manager. Rachael has a background in the FMCG industry, working on high profile brands such as Huggies, Kleenex and Walkers crisps. She has a wealth of marketing experience, in particular within the parent/family sector.
BinWeevils.com has appointed Yinka Akindele as head of PR and communications to lead its communications strategy across trade and consumer media. Yinka will be responsible for maximising the site’s profile amongst its core audience of kids aged 6-12 years old, and growing brand awareness with parents.
Coolabi has appointed Valerie Fry as its new director of sales. In this newly created position, Valerie will be responsible for the commercial exploitation of Coolabi’s key brands and growing portfolio of properties including Poppy Cat, Purple Ronnie and Scarlett & Crimson. Valerie joins Coolabi with a wealth of industry
experience. Most recently she was commercial director at Champan Entertainment.
18 Toyworld
InspirationWorks has recruited Paul Joyner as its new Technology sales manager. Paul joins InspirationWorks from Sanyo Electronics, where he spent over 20 years in senior sales management positions. He will oversee the Technology customer base, working closely with the national account managers and marketing team, and also work on new channel development.
Wilton Bradley has announced the appointment of Simon Hampton as its new sales and marketing manager. Simon brings more than 20 years of sales and marketing experience to the role, having previously worked as head of sales for Animal. He has extensive experience within the sports and leisure industries, covering both multiple product categories and sales distribution channels, including independents through to national accounts.
Mind Candy has appointed Jocelyn Stevenson as the executive creative producer to lead on creative on all film and TV projects, including the first Moshi Monsters Movie and Moshi TV. Jocelyn has almost 40 years experience in children’s television where she began on Sesame Street and went on to work as a creator/ writer/producer for the Jim Henson Company.
Plum has appointed Rebecca Snape as its new product manager on indoor toys. Rebecca will be helping to develop Plum’s indoor range to create a collection of traditional wooden toys with real play value. Plum is expanding its range of indoor play for Q4 2013. Rebecca will play a key role in developing the range, which will help encourage children to enjoy active and imaginative play all year round.
FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) has appointed Carl Lumbard in the newly-created role of head of licensing strategy and business development, kids and family entertainment, EMEA. Carl will be the link between the LA-based kids and family entertainment content team and the licensing, home entertainment and television distribution teams across EMEA. He will also work with the FremantleMedia brand management and marketing team led by Kate Schlomann. Carl joins FME from 20th
Century Fox where he
spent nearly 14 years, most recently as SVP and managing director licensing and merchandising, EMEA.
Tomy has recruited three new members to its marketing team. Libby Wybrow has joined as senior brand manager in the Mother, Infant
and Toddler team. Libby will be responsible for marketing and communications for a number of Tomy’s nursery lines. Lauren Byrne has joined from Hasbro as brand manager for Boys toys and train play. She will be responsible for the development and implementation of marketing strategy. Paige Willis will take on the role of marketing assistant providing support across the whole Boys toys portfolio.
Ludorum has announced three UK promotions. Natalie Setton has been promoted from international sales and licensing manager to head of international sales. Natalie will manage Ludorum’s international sales operations with particular emphasis on its Asian operations. Dawn Bushnell has been promoted from product
development and approval manager to senior product development and approval manager. Dawn will be working closely with Tomy to ensure that all future toy product development best reflects the new creative and marketing directions Ludorum is implementing for Chuggington. Laura Bond has been
promoted from associate product development and approval manager to brand executive. Laura will continue to support Dawn Bushnell in product development and will also report into Natalie Setton with brand management responsibilities for European markets.
Mothercare has hired Matt Smith as its new finance director at a critical time in the maternity retailer’s turnaround under its chief executive, Simon Calver. Matt will join Mothercare’s board at an unspecified date once he has exited an equivalent role at Argos.
Golden Bear has announced two new members of its sales team. Joining the company as senior national account manager is Paul Mabbs. He brings with him a wealth of experience; particularly in the younger children’s sector, having been in the toy industry for many years and most recently at VTech. Joining the company with immediate effect, Paul looks forward to building on his experience of working with major brands in creating success for the properties in the Golden Bear and GB Toys portfolios. Also joining is Lorna Bennett who takes up the role of national account manager to cover Becky Matthews while she is on maternity leave. Lorna previously worked in the gift industry on brands such as Wedgewood and Royal Doulton, and welcomes the new challenge of working in the children’s sector.
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