news Hot Wheels seeks World’s best driver
Hot Wheels has ramped up the second phase of its high-impact brand campaign with the launch of the World’s Best Driver initiative. Eight Team Hot Wheels drivers will be competing against each other in a number of adrenalin-fuelled challenges, but ultimately only one will win.
Launching across the brand’s social media channels, the campaign will create excitement
with boys and encourage social interaction. Plus, there are special behind-the-scenes videos released each week featuring the individual drivers, cars, and stunts, as well as plenty of content to showcase the planning and preparation involved. The footage can be viewed at
www.teamhotwheels.co.uk. Hot Wheels will also be bringing the action to life this Summer with a tour visiting over 30 key locations across the UK helping to drive brand engagement. Kids will be able to take part in challenges and can enter to win the ultimate road trip; a ride to school in a Hot Wheels car driven by a Team Hot Wheels driver.
industrymoves
Re:creation has announced that Seth Bishop will now lead the company’s national accounts team alongside his existing marketing responsibilities. The company recently undertook a review of its sales and marketing structure with a view to streamlining management responsibilities. At the conclusion of this review, the company announces that, with immediate effect, Seth Bishop would undertake his new duties. The recent addition of a number of product ranges to the company’s portfolio highlighted the need for a tight integration between sales and marketing. Michael Lehrter, chief executive, said: “We have
reached a stage where our single-minded focus on innovation has earned us an enviable portfolio of toy brands. Now our sales team needs to capitalise on this momentum and get retailers buzzing with the same excitement that we feel. I congratulate Seth on his extended role, and believe he will bring a huge amount of energy to it. I am certain that our highly competent national accounts team will benefit from being passionately led by one of the company’s original founders and a veteran of both retail and toy industries.” Michael added: “As a result of this management
change, Ian Wickham, who was director of sales for re:creation for just over a year, left the company by mutual consent. We thank Ian for his contribution to a sales platform that is gaining momentum.”
Vivid has appointed Mary Wood as marketing director; she will start in her new role on 4th June 2013. Emma Weber will
also become Vivid’s international licensing director following her return from maternity leave in November. Commenting on the appointments, Neil Bandtock, Vivid managing director, said: “Mary
has a wealth of toy experience, having spent 10 years with Mattel in sales and marketing positions, she was also general manager and EVP of marketing for Zapf. Mary will be joining us from HTI, where she has been marketing director since 2010. Mary has been instrumental in helping to drive product development and international sales, so is well suited for our rapidly growing international business and our increasing number of in-house development projects. “We’re also delighted that Emma is returning later
in the year. Emma is a very talented and experienced member of the Vivid senior management team and her extensive market knowledge and licensing experience are very important to our European and international growth plans.”
Kiddimoto has increased its salesforce with the addition of James Bromley. James will join Kiddimoto’s UK salesforce supporting toy stores across the country to develop their ranges of balance bikes, helmets and gloves. Simon Booth, chief Executive of Kiddimoto, said: ‘James brings a wealth of experience that will be brought to bear on our growing list of customers. We have significant growth plans in both our products and customer base over the coming years, and James’ expertise will help to realise that growth.’ James brings more than thirteen years of sales
experience to Kiddimoto, with a large amount spent in the toy industry for Trunki.
Gibsons has strengthened their sales team with the appointment of Wendy Jones as sales administrator. Wendy joins Gibsons from Tomy where she spent 27 years working as a sales support administrator and brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience. Wendy will
be responsible for entry of customer orders and for their transmission to the warehouse. Wendy said: “It is wonderful to be back in the toy industry and I am enjoying the opportunity to be working with customers who I have known for many years.”
Carte Blanche Group has announced that Samantha Kelly has joined the business as head of licensing (UK). With a solid licensing pedigree, Sam has held senior roles at BBC Worldwide, Dreamworks and Target Entertainment Group amongst others, and most recently at Coca-Cola, managing their Olympic and Paralympic Games Licensed Merchandise and Retail operation. Her interim role will be to manage the day to day sales and retail business, and further develop the long term licensing strategies for Carte Blanche’s Me to You, Tatty Teddy & My Blue Nose Friends, and Tiny Tatty Teddy brands.
Ragdoll Worldwide has appointed Hina Sanghrajka to the newly-created position of brand manager. Hina’s role is to assist in driving licensing revenue, to manage the creative and product development process, work closely with licensees, promotional partners and retailers as well as formalising strategic brand plans for Ragdoll Worldwide’s portfolio of pre-school brands including The Adventures of Abney & Teal and BAFTA- winning In the Night Garden, Teletubbies and Dipdap. Stephen Gould, commercial director at Ragdoll Worldwide, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Hina to our team. Her considerable knowledge and experience will be invaluable to the growth of the Ragdoll brands during a key period of expansion and diversification.” Hina takes up her position with immediate effect and is based at Ragdoll Worldwide at Pinewood Studios.
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