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Vivid appoints Ben Hogg as UK marketing manager marketing manager

Ben Hogg has joined Vivid Goliath Group’s UK team as marketing manager across its toys and games portfolio.

He brings a wealth of marketing experience from his previous role at Asmodee UK, where he worked for more than 10 years.

He will be responsible for brand and marketing activations across Vivid Goliath’s portfolio including ranges such as Ryan’s World, Love Diana, Reaxion, SuperSand, and its portfolio of kids, family and adult games. He will also manage a team of brand managers and work closely to steer Vivid’s TV, PR and digital marketing output.

Vivid marketing & licensing director Emma Weber said: “We are delighted to welcome Ben to the Vivid Goliath family. He is an experienced marketer and brings a fresh perspective and new ideas to our marketing campaigns as we take our business to the next level. Ben joins at an exciting time as we grow the business across our toys and games portfolio.”

BBC Studios promotes Andrew Carley

BBC Studios has promoted Andrew Carley to the newly created role of director of global licensing, which will see Andrew help drive the long-term strategy to capitalise on the explosive expansion of children’s preschool brand Bluey.

Andrew will be responsible for leading a fi ve-year strategic growth plan for BBC Studios’ global licensing business, in partnership with the regional licensing teams.

Andrew joined BBC Studios as senior vice president, sales, last year and has more than 25 years of experience in licensing and consumer products. Prior to joining the company, he was executive vice president, global licensing at eOne where he and his team built a global licensing programme around shows including Peppa Pig and PJ Masks.

His career in licensing and consumer products began at Marks and Spencer where he worked in the buying team on children’s clothing. He later set up the brand and licensing consultancy TILT Licensing with clients including Penguin Random House, Roald Dahl and the BBC.

Alison Whitfi eld Kate Mulliner

Toynamics UK & Ireland expands team

Toynamics UK & Ireland has appointed Alison Whitfi eld as operations manager and promoted Kate Mulliner to the role of business development manager.

Alison joins with a wealth of experience, having previously worked for Geodis Distribution on the Mattel account. She is keen to apply her expertise in inventory and stock management, process mapping and quality control to her new role.

Kate was previously a sales area manager for Toynamics. Commenting on her new post, Kate said: “I’m excited about developing new business, especially ecommerce as it’s a big growth driver for us in 2021.”

MD David Allan added: “In line with our plan to support new business growth, I’m delighted to promote Kate and bring Alison on board to help drive our business forward.” ● Toynamics UK & Ireland is strengthening its UK marketing efforts with the hiring of award-winning communications agency Playtime PR to deliver PR support for both the Hape and Skip Hop brands as well as supporting Nebulous Stars and Nanoblocks in the UK.

DKB Toys & Distribution recruits James Luff

In response to a surge in new account signings, DKB Toys & Distribution has named James Luff as account manager to focus on independent trade accounts.

Having previously spent fi ve years as a buyer at Toys “R” Us working across a wide range of categories including outdoor, wheeled, sports, arts & crafts and preschool, James brings a wealth of industry experience to the DKB Toys team. He most recently launched and grew the toys and merchandise category across four selling channels as consumer products manager at Zoom.co.uk: Amazon, eBay, mail order and Zoom.co.uk. Responsible for managing all buying and marketing, he worked with licensees including LEGO, Hasbro and Spin Master.

His new role will enable him to focus on relationships with independent trade accounts - a key growth area for the DKB team - and work directly with MD Chris Lohmeyer to devise and implement initiatives to grow and develop the business.