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People News - all the movers and shakers
Tara joins Casdon Toys
Casdon Toys continues the growth of its team with the appointment of Tara Mortimer as senior national account manager. Tara brings a wealth of knowledge and industry experience from previous roles at Sainsbury’s Argos, Tesco and Smyths.
Casdon has gone from strength to strength, growing from a team of 18 to 39 over the past two years.
Phil Cassidy, managing director at Casdon Toys, said: “We are excited to welcome Tara to the Casdon family. With the variety of industry experience she brings, I have no doubt that she will help us achieve the plans we have for the coming year and beyond.”
Commenting on her new role, Tara said: “I am thrilled to be joining Casdon, a company I have known and worked with for many years, albeit on the other side. Their product range has always been very impressive, but this year more than ever. I am thrilled to be part of the team at such an exciting time.”
Tomy announces new addition to the sales team
Boasting 17 years of experience in the toy industry, Samantha Whittaker has joined Tomy as national account manager.
Samantha brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm for toys and games.
She will work exclusively across Tomy’s growing games portfolio, including Drumond Park, Zanzoon and Tomy Games, which contains names such as LOGO 2nd Edition, Articulate!, and Pop-Up Pirate.
Tomy UK sales director Kingsley Matthews said: “It was important that we found just the right person that will help us maintain the fantastic work already achieved, while continuing to help us develop and grow within the category.’’
MGA Entertainment appoints new trio
MGA Entertainment, Inc. has announced the appointment of three new account managers to its UK team. Jamie Gordon joins as senior national account manager, responsible for grocery and discounter channels. Having previously worked as an Asda implant and having led the Morrisons account for Hasbro, he joins MGA with vast experience in this sector. Laura Leigh-Mills joins in the role of ecommerce national account manager, having previously held the position of national account manager with Carte Blanche. Andrew Kay is the third new addition to the MGA team, as national account manager. His previous experience includes 13 years with toy company Funko.
Sambro has created a new ethical and sustainability manager role, which has been filled by Lisa Longley.
Lisa comes to Sambro with more than 10 years’ experience in the manufacturing industry, and will oversee the implementation of a new sustainability programme and manage the ethical compliance of the toy company’s supply base. She will work closely with suppliers and vendors to ensure that Sambro’s ethical sourcing requirements are met, and that all factories meet the needs of Sambro, its customers and licensors. Her first job has been to create an ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) committee and draw up a policy with clear objectives which she will ensure are met. These include responsible sourcing and supply chain management; safeguarding the health, wellbeing and safety of Sambro employees; proactive management of consumption of resources and energy; and sourcing goods and services that generate a positive impact with customers. Lisa will also take responsibility for overseeing the prevention of discrimination and the promotion of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, as well as the company’s anti-corruption and anti-bribery measures.
Toymaster welcomes new member
Salmons Department Store in Ballinasloe, County Galway, Ireland, has joined Toymaster. Salmons, which celebrates 60 years in business this year, has departments covering toys, arts and crafts, giftware, books and many other categories.
Toymaster said they would like to welcome Salmons to the Toymaster family and wish Megan, Donna, Bernie and Dermot the best of luck!
Spin Master
brings in new head of global toy brands
Spin Master has appointed Doug Wadleigh as head of global toy brands. The newly created position within Spin Master’s Toys creative centre is part of the company’s new organisational design, which is being implemented to enable and accelerate future growth.
Wadleigh will oversee the development and health of all global toy brands, reporting to Chris Beardall, Spin Master’s president of toys and chief commercial officer. He will be responsible for profitable growth across all toy categories and will lead product development and drive alignment with the sales and operations teams.
“Doug has deep experience with industry-leading toys and games manufacturers, coupled with a strategic mindset and proven track record of accelerating growth,” said Chris. “With Doug’s leadership, combined with the strength of our diversified toy portfolio, Spin Master is well positioned for continued growth and to deliver on our vision of creating play experiences that spark creativity and imagination in kids around the world.”
Doug is an industry veteran, having held leadership positions within prominent global companies, including Mattel and Warner Bros. During his 20-plus year career at Mattel, he successfully set both creative direction and brand strategies for some of the world’s best-known brands including Hot Wheels, Disney Princess, and WWE. Most recently, he served as president and global CMO of Goliath, where he established a new toy innovation and marketing studio in Los Angeles and was responsible for developing category, brand and product strategies for the existing portfolio.
Creative Kids appoints UK MD
New York-based craft and activity company Creative Kids continues its expansion in the UK with the appointment of Grant Gie, who will head up operations in the UK as managing director. Grant has worked in the toy industry for more than 14 years. He joins the company following his most recent role as international sales director at Melissa & Doug, having previously held senior roles at Sambro and Hasbro.
Creative Kids is already established within the UK and is becoming known for its extensive arts & crafts and STEM toy ranges, with both successful owned properties and an increasing licensed property portfolio.
The company has also just signed a multi-year, multi-national licensing partnership deal with Hasbro to produce a range of Play-Doh products.
Grant said: “I never fail to be inspired by the ingenuity and innovation from toy companies, and Creative Kids is such an exciting company to be a part of.’’
Ferreira moves up at Fanattik
Fanattik, the UK-based pop culture gift licensee, has appointed Luiz Ferreira to the position of sales director. Luiz started with Fanattik as a consultant three years ago, before taking on the head of sales role. As sales director he will be managing relationships with gift retailers throughout the UK, mainland Europe, MENA and Australasia.
Fanattik is a gift, home décor, barware and collectables licensee for Hasbro, CBSViacom, Universal Studios, Microsoft, Bethesda, Capcom, Studio MDHR and many more.
Luiz suits the Fanattik ethos well; a gaming and film fan, he brings more 20 years’ experience working with pop culture merchandise to the role.
Danny joins Moonbug
Moonbug Entertainment has appointed Danny Spronz as head of global loyalty & promotions and EMEA retail development. In this role Danny will be responsible for driving the loyalty and promotions programmes at Moonbug as well as developing the EMEA retail strategy across Moonbug’s portfolio of properties, including Blippi, CoComelon and Little Baby Bum.
The newly-created role will include setting the strategy for Moonbug’s loyalty, rewards, QSR (quick service restaurants) and third-party promotional programmes. He will build global programmes with key international partners to both expand brand awareness and affinity with the Moonbug target audiences. For the retail element of the role, he will be overseeing all EMEA retail activity. Spronz is based in the UK head offices, working closely with the Moonbug team in the US.
Prior to Moonbug, Danny was managing director EMEA at PocketWatch, where he was responsible for all business operations, advertising sales, consumer products licensing and content sales across EMEA. Before this, he was vice president digital partnerships & influencer marketing EMEA at The Walt Disney Company, where he managed overall talent strategy, partnerships and management for the company’s on-screen and digital influencer talent.
Moonbug Entertainment is an award-winning global entertainment company. Moonbug’s line-up also includes Little Angel, My Magic Pet Morphle, Supa Strikas, Go Buster, Playtime with Twinkle, Gecko’s Garage, ARPO and many more.
Melissa & Doug introduces new sales director
Melissa & Doug has strengthened its international team based in Rickmansworth, Herts, with the recruitment of Jeremy Robinson as sales director for the Northern Europe region.
Reporting to managing director international Francisco Anselmi, Jeremy will have responsibility for managing existing and new business within the UK, DACH [D-Deutschland (Germany), A-Austria, CH-Confœderatio Helvetica (Switzerland)] and the Nordics.
Francisco commented: “I’m absolutely thrilled to have Jeremy joining our international team. We only hire people we believe will make a difference here. Jeremy not only brings a wealth of industry experience, but also growth and team mindset.”
Jeremy added: “This is an exciting time to be joining Melissa & Doug, and I’m delighted to be part of the developing team. There is a huge amount going on, including the addition of licensed ranges, the move into new product categories and the acceleration of the company’s FSC programme. We will be working harder than ever to support our existing clients, and I’m excited at the potential we have to develop new trading relationshops.’’
