Industry Moves Wow! Stuff expands team with five new hires Wow! Stuff has made five new appointments, having consistently recruited over the last year, despite the challenges and restrictions that Covid-19 has presented. The new team members are Ross Coffield, who joins as design co-ordinator, having previously been product development manager at Consumer Electronics company Skoog and prior to Steve Carpenter Manmit Bansal Chris Jobson Ross Coffield Teddy Edwards that senior product design engineer at Vivid; Teddy Edwards, who will take on the role of senior product designer following experience at BNC Universal; Steve Carpenter, who joins as product design engineer, bringing expertise from working at a major licensed gifts manufacturer; and Chris Jobson, who joins as product designer, following a career including spells at Toys R Us and gifts and gadgets company Thumbs Up (UK). Manmit Bansal, who previously worked as a merchandiser’s assistant at Sainsbury’s, has also joined the Wow! Stuff internal Amazon team as a sales operation support officer, working on sales of the company’s key licensed brands. CEO Richard North said: “When we recruit new Wow! Stuff’ers, they have to be aligned with our culture of doing ‘Wow’, our beliefs and ambitions. We treat the process as a twoway interview. It’s a bit like a Wizarding World wand that chooses its new owner; when we find someone we think fits, it’s important they feel it too.”
SES announces raft of sales agents as expansion continues SES Creative has announced the appointment of a number of sales agents across the UK and Ireland, which it says will support the company’s continued growth and expansion. A spokesperson for the company, which specialises in arts & crafts, creative, role-play and infant toys, said: “These positions now give us excellent coverage and double down on our commitment to provide strong sales and aftersales support to all our partner retailers. As retail recovers in 2021 we are looking forward to working with our current customers and new partners. Our sales team benefits from many years of experience and is fully supported by us to ensure the highest levels of service and in store support are provided. “We have had a fantastic response to our range this year, and our environmental focus across our product range has been well received. As the brand continues to gain traction across the UK and Ireland, these appointments will assist as we grow our customer base. We look forward to working with interested retailers.” The agencies working with SES are: JSM Sales Agencies – areas covered: North West, North East, East Midlands, Midlands, North Wales, Scotland. Contact Stephanie Malinowski - sm@jsmsales.co.uk / 07984 446 272 CK Agencies – area covered: South East. Contact David Neale - david@ckagencies.co.uk / 07967 440 725 or Craig Kidd Email - craig@ckagencies.co.uk Mobile: 07770 728 261 Barry Smith Agencies – area covered: Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Contact Barry Smith bsmithagencies@gmail.com / 07980 652 269. RNC Gifts – area covered: South-West. Contact Richard Clark – rncgifts@hotmail.com / 07714 429 007.
Kirsty Barr to work with Ravensburger marketing team Ravensburger has announced that toy industry PR Kirsty Barr will be working with its marketing team. She will be responsible for Consumer PR and will work across the portfolio of brands including Ravensburger blue triangle, Brio, and ThinkFun Brain and Logic Games. Katy Fletcher, head of marketing and product development at Ravensburger, said of the appointment: “With her wealth of experience in toys, games and licensing, I am looking forward to working with Kirsty who will focus on the consumer PR for many of our new launches, and heritage products too.” Kirsty said: “I’m truly thrilled to be joining Ravensburger UK, working with Katy and her team. Having partnered with Ravensburger on several occasions in recent years, and seeing first-hand the media’s passion for its puzzles and games, I couldn’t be happier in working with everyone to support the business in the UK as it continues to grow.”
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8th Wonder team continues expansion with new key account manager 8th Wonder has continued to bolster its team with a new key account manager, as the company continues to enjoy substantial growth across an expanding portfolio of licensed merchandise and own brands. Kathryn Dowson has moved into the toy industry from the hospitality sector, and brings with her valuable experience in sales, as well as in depth knowledge of corporate social responsibility, having raised money for charities/community organisations, hosted events and been involved in fundraising. Kathryn commented: “I’m very excited to joy the team and can’t wait to get out and about and start to meet the toy trade face to face.” Now in its 24th year as a business, 8th Wonder has entered 2021 with a host of new licensing deals in the pipeline to support the planned growth of the business. These include a partnership with Little Tikes in the role play market, Paddington for plush and wood, plus L.O.L. Surprise!, Minions, Jurassic World and Battersea. Andrea Gornall, senior business and product development manager, added: “I’m delighted to welcome Kathryn. The already strong 8th Wonder portfolio has been bolstered by our new licensed ranges, widening the remit of our sales team. It’s great to see the team expand, giving the company even more opportunity to grow.”
