People News - all the movers and shakers

Jon Elliott Mark Hunt

Character Options announces two senior staff promotions

Character Options has announced the promotions of Jon Elliott and Mark Hunt.

Jon has been promoted to R&D commercial director. He will work alongside creative director Al Dewar and senior R&D manager Gary Parker in the company’s in-house development team.

Mark has been promoted to marketing director, reporting to group marketing director Jerry Healy. Mark’s primary objective will be to focus on the continuing development of Character Options and proxy new marketing directives on all product ranges to maintain their growth across all marketing platforms.

Character Options managing director Joe Kissane said: “I hope you will join me in congratulating both Jon and Mark for this well-deserved recognition and wish them every success in their new roles.”

Mike Brighty moves on

University Games senior vice president of international sales Mike Brighty has retired from the company and the toy industry.

Mike has been a mainstay of the UK toy industry scene since joining Hasbro in 1989. His career has taken him on international stints with Hasbro as well as Jakks Pacific and Toy Lobster. From 2006 to 2014 Mike served as the head of international sales for Colorific, where he established the Australian company in Europe, US, and Canada and more than two dozen other international markets.

In 2015 he became the first vice president of international sales for University Games, where he held a leadership role serving on the board of directors and building the company’s international business.

University Games is commencing a search for a new head of international to fill Mike’s shoes.

Toynamics recruits

sales agent for North and Scotland

Toynamics UK and Ireland has announced the appointment of Stephanie Malinowski as sales agent for the Northern area and Scotland.

Stephanie brings a wealth of selling experience and knowledge to the role. She will be exclusively selling all Toynamics brands including Hape, Hape/Baby Einstein, Skip Hop, Nebulous Stars, DinosArt, TIMIO, and Nanoblock.

Toynamics managing director David Allan said: “I welcome Stephanie to the sales team; her area knowledge and enthusiasm for our ranges convinced me that she will grow our business as part of our team.”

Stephanie added: “I’m super pleased and excited to have gained the Toynamics UK agency. There are so many great brands, and I believe that the Northern and Scotland area has never seen its full potential and has so many opportunities.”

To contact Stephanie, email her at sm@jsmsales.co.uk or call her on 07984 446 272.

Vivid Goliath

Group expands sales team

Mark Standen has joined Vivid Goliath Group as national account manager working on its toy and games portfolio.

Mark has been in the toy industry for more than 17 years, working on global brands. From his most recent role at Rainbow, he brings a wealth of experience in the independent sector across the buying groups Toymaster and plaY-room (the toy division of AIS).

Sales director Gerbie Quilter said: ‘With the latest acquisition of Endless Games and a striking lineup of new games, new categories and new innovations in toys, this is an exciting time for Mark to join.”

Mark added: “There is a lot to learn as the games portfolio has diversified into lots of exciting market segments, and toy brand innovations are taking the company into new categories.”

Jeff Goldstein joins Wilton Bradley

Wilton Bradley’s new recruit, country manager US and Canada Jeff Goldstein and his team of agents will be manning a Wilton Bradley prominent stand on Level 3 of Toy Fair New York. They are keen to introduce themselves and the supplier’s brands to new customers.

Jeff will be based in New Jersey and will be responsible for managing growth in the US and Canada. He has a wealth of experience in the toy industry, having previously held senior sales positions with Hasbro, Ohio Art and more recently Kid Station Toys.

Wilton Bradley head of international sales Laetitia Westerman commented: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Jeff as a key member of the team. His insight and experience are invaluable, and he joins a dynamic team that continues to drive Wilton Bradley’s international growth and presence forward as a force within the industry.”