Category Archives: People

ZAG appoints Rafael Baltodano as VP, North America Retail Development

Posted on by

Award-winning global independent animation studio ZAG has announced the appointment of Rafael Baltodano, formerly with The Walt Disney Company, as Vice President, North America Retail Development. The announcement was made by Julian Zag, EVP Global Operations and Head of Consumer Products.

Reporting to Lisa K. Foster, Sr. Vice President, Licensing, North America, Rafael will manage strategic relationships across all tiers of retail throughout North America for the roster of properties under the ZAG Heroez label – an umbrella brand franchise that brings together the superheroes from ZAG’s animated properties, which include the global phenomenon Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, Power Players, and the company’s newest property, Ghostforce. He will help further ZAG’s mission in building best-in-class licensed programmes, supporting licensees with product placement and promotion.

Rafael’s initial focus will be to work with retailers on the autumn rollout of products for ZAG’s Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, for which over 200 million products have been sold during the past three years.

“Demand continues to be extremely strong for Miraculous, with sales exceeding expectations across the board,” says Julian Zag. “Rafael will lead the charge to expand placement for our partners, as well as securing promotional space for retailers around key events surrounding the brand.”

“I have been impressed by the tremendous growth of ZAG over the past couple of years and the quality of content and merchandise the company creates,” adds Rafael. “I look forward to working with the ZAG team, retailers, and our partners, to bring a whole new range of quality products to our Miraculous fans across North America this fall and throughout 2023.”

Numerous licensed Miraculous products are rolling out this year alongside the new autumn 2022 toy line from ZAG Lab and Playmates, which includes an expanded Heroez doll line with new characters and nineteen Kwami collectibles. Toys have been rolling out in planogram at retailers Walmart, Target and Kohl’s, to name a few. Other products rolling out this year include watches from Accutime, craft and activity products from Horizon, walkie talkies from Kid Designs, healthy snacking from Crunch Pak, and fruit snacks from Ferrara.

These new products will join numerous items already at retail, including publishing from Little Brown Books for Young Readers; colour and activity books from Bendon; an expanded apparel line and sleepwear from Bentex Apparel Group, Komar and BioWorld; girl’s apparel from Jerry Leigh of California; footwear from SG Companies; underwear from Handcraft; fashion and accessories products including hair accessories and jewellery from HER; puzzles and games from TCG; stickers from Trends International; outdoor and seasonal products from What Kids Want; beverages from Good to Grow; seasonal candy from Galerie; wound care from Aso, and the Miraculous Spinbrush and Orajel toothpaste from Church & Dwight Co., Inc.

Prior to joining ZAG, Rafael served in several key licensing and retail positions for The Walt Disney Company, Pixar, and Marvel, spanning over 15 years.  Most recently he served as Director of Retail Brand Development, creating the overarching go-to-market retail strategies for the Disney and Pixar franchises.

LMCA promotes Ciarán Coyle to CEO

Posted on by

Global brand extension agency LMCA has announced a shift in its top management as the agency experiences rapid growth and expands further internationally.

The LMCA Board has announced the promotion of Ciarán Coyle, formerly President & COO of the agency, to the role of CEO. He will also become a Principal of the firm and join the LMCA Board. Coyle will oversee all aspects of the operations of the business globally.

Allan Feldman, Founder and formerly CEO, will become Executive Chairman, working closely with Coyle on the agency strategy and key partnerships.

“Ciarán has brought a sharp business focus and discipline to LMCA over this past year and established an incredibly strong foundation for the agency’s continued international growth as a leader in strategic brand extension licensing,” says Feldman. “The decision of the LMCA Board to elevate Ciarán to the position of CEO reflects the confidence we have in his ability to realise LMCA’s full potential and add significant value to our clients.”

Ciarán Coyle commented: “I’ve greatly enjoyed working with our super clients, partners, and the wonderful LMCA team over the past year and am very excited for what lies ahead. I’m truly honoured by this opportunity to take on the CEO responsibilities and look forward to working with all our LMCA stakeholders to deliver continued success.”

 

Laura Freedman-Dagg appointed Head of Retail, Licensing, by Global Licensing Group

Posted on by

Global Licensing Group has appointed Laura Freedman-Dagg to the newly created role Head of Retail, Licensing.

Prior to taking maternity leave, Laura held the position of event manager, Brand Licensing Europe, where she was integral in growing the trade show’s retail proposition, successfully attracting an increasing number of high-quality European retailers to attend the event each year.

In her new role as Head of Retail, Licensing, Laura will work across the business’s global event portfolio, including Licensing Expo, the European and North American Brand & Licensing Innovation Summits and Brand Licensing Europe, to continue to deliver incredible content and meaningful meetings for retailers and exhibitors.

“The new Head of Retail role reflects the continued investment from Informa Markets to focus on driving retail attendance at our industry-leading licensing events,” says Anna Knight, VP, Licensing.

“We know from talking to our customers that meeting and engaging with retailers is a huge priority for them, hence our introduction of many new initiatives over the last few years, including the Retail Mentoring Programme, Retail Trends Lounge with exclusive content sessions, VIP matchmaking concierge service, category specific show features (publishing, heritage and interiors and gaming) and the focus on location based experiences planned for Licensing Expo 2022.

“Equally, retailers also rely on our events to facilitate introductions between them and brand owners. As BLE event manager, Laura nurtured incredible relationships with key retailers, and I know she’ll continue to deliver ROI for them and our exhibitors and partners.”

Laura Freedman-Dagg added, “It’s brilliant to be back working with the Global Licensing Group. I loved developing the BLE retail proposition, and to be able to recreate that globally across our other event brands will be fantastic.

“One thing I’ve learnt over the years is that the retail buying calendar isn’t homogenous so it’s important that the whole portfolio of Global Licensing Group events can deliver value when – and where – it’s needed. Not only do we have world-class events already scheduled in the calendar, but we also have the reach and flexibility to innovate and introduce new, creative solutions.

“Our ethos has always been to stay close to our customers (retailers and exhibitors) so that we can understand what the market needs from us and act quickly to deliver it. This role will allow to us to do this even more effectively.”

The Light Fund announces Master Sponsors for English Channel Relay fundraiser

Posted on by

This summer, on a day between the 30th of June and the 3rd of July when the weather conditions are right, two boats of six swimmers will be racing each other across the English Channel to France in aid of The Light Fund charity. All the participants will be from the licensing industry, trying to be first to make it from Dover to the French coast – a 21-mile journey that could end up closer to 40 miles if you include tidal shifts.

The Light Fund has attracted a large and growing number of sponsors and donations for its forthcoming English Channel Relay fundraiser, and it can now proudly announce the Master Sponsors – the two groups that have taken on the biggest sponsorships available for this year’s Light Fund challenge.

Playmates Toys and Wow! Stuff have both guaranteed five-figure sums to support the pivotal role of the two pilot boats transporting, supporting and protecting both six-member swim teams during the relay.

A Light Fund spokesperson says: “For over 55 years, Playmates Toys’ commitment to quality and excellence in the design, development and marketing of character-rich toys has inspired imaginative play for generations of children worldwide. Wow! Stuff is a name globally synonymous with toy innovation for licensed brands. The names of both Master Sponsors will now appear on the two vessels: Pilot Boat Optimist and Pilot Boat High Hopes.

“The Playmates Toys and Wow! Stuff sponsorships won’t just support the hire of the boats, they will pay for the pilot, crew, observers, Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation (CS&PF) registrations and access to the internal marina at Dover as well as pick-up collections, car parking and – of course – a licence for swimming across the busiest shipping channel in the world – with around 1,000 vessels per day in transit.

“Both sponsorships also include a more-than-generous donation towards this year’s Light Fund Challenge target of £250,000, which will be shared by principal beneficiary the RNLI and a number of other organisations and projects supported by the charity that is inspired, and run, by the licensing industry.”

Playmates Toys and Wow! Stuff are in distinguished company. Some 70 other businesses working in the licensing industry have supported the swimmers with sponsorships varying from hundreds to thousands of pounds – and covering everything from drinks bottles to deep sea water training, towels to film and drone technology.

The money raised and pledged so far has taken the two teams almost two-thirds of the way to their target of £250,000 – which will be a record for any single Light Fund challenge.

The generosity of all the companies backing the cross-Channel swim will be saluted both on and beyond the day of the swim itself. Every sponsor will be namechecked in a special thank-you video that will be among the highlights of this year’s Licensing Awards ceremony.

With only four months until the English Channel Relay takes place, there are still many sponsorship opportunities available. Interested parties can find out more about corporate sponsorship options here. Individuals are very welcome to donate via the event’s Just Giving page, where you can also follow the teams preparing for the big day. There’s also an Instagram feed and a Facebook page containing team photos and updates.

On the day itself a limited-access live feed is also planned in tandem with GPS trackers on each pilot boat: watch out for announcements on how to follow the challenge as it happens.

Michael Chan of Playmates Toys says: “We jumped at the opportunity to give our backing to this extraordinary challenge and play a role in bringing essential support to these two brave and committed teams. It’s a real honour to be a Master Sponsor for the licensing industry’s biggest charity challenge of the year.”

Richard North, CEO, Wow! Stuff, says: “When we heard that the licensing industry was supplying two teams to do a relay swim across the Channel we thought two things: ‘Are they mad?’ and ‘How can we help?’ The Light Fund helped the toy industry initiative ToyAid, which Joel Silverman and I set up during the height of the pandemic. This is Wow! Stuff’s thanks for that involvement and our commitment to be with the mad team of Light Fund swimmers every step – or stroke – of the way.”

As Stephen Gould, who will be captaining one of the two teams, says: “Without the dozens of sponsors and hundreds of smaller donations from so many people in the licensing industry this wouldn’t be happening. If you’ve backed us already, our sincere and grateful thanks. If you haven’t as yet, there are many more opportunities to support our teams and the many very worthwhile causes backed by the licensing industry’s very own charity.”

The Light (Licensing Industry Giving Help Together) Fund was born when a group of like-minded people from the UK licensing industry came up with the idea to form a committee to help those less fortunate than themselves. The Light Fund is a registered charity, which raises monies to fund worthwhile charity projects that help children, women and men. Since its inception, back in 2004, The Light Fund has raised over £1.7 million and funded hundreds of different charity projects.

https://www.lightfund.org

 

WildBrain CPLG creates Partnerships team led by Meike de Vaere

Posted on by

Entertainment, sport and brand licensing agency WildBrain CPLG has created a new Partnerships team to offer its multi-territory licensors an increasingly unified and strategic approach to drive growth and success through its expansive global network.

Led by WildBrain CPLG’s Meike de Vaere, who has been promoted to the newly created position of Vice President, Partnerships and Business Development, the Partnerships team will incorporate all operations from the previous Client Services unit, now also including Business Development, and will steer the strategic alignment of processes for partners to maximise opportunities for growth and efficiency. De Vaere, who was previously Business Development Director, joins WildBrain CPLG’s senior leadership team and reports to Maarten Weck, EVP & Managing Director.

Leveraging WildBrain CPLG’s expertise and capabilities across its global network of territory offices, the team will streamline integrated partner solutions in marketing, retail, creative, legal and financial services across the agency’s portfolio, including WildBrain-owned brands such as Teletubbies and Strawberry Shortcake. Business development will continue to be integral to De Vaere’s role and team focus, driving increased integration from the acquisition of new rights and onboarding of partners, through to sustaining and growing partner relationships in the long-term.

Within the new Partnerships structure will be a Key Partnerships team led by WildBrain CPLG’s Brenda Draaisma, who has taken on a global role as Director of Key Partnerships. Previously Managing Director, Benelux, Draaisma will oversee key partners in the business and be responsible for building and maintaining strategic relationships. John Taylor, VP Northern Europe, will continue to lead operations in the Benelux region.

WildBrain CPLG’s portfolio of Lifestyle and Corporate brands will continue to be managed under the agency’s dedicated Lifestyle division.

Maarten Weck, EVP & Managing Director at WildBrain CPLG, says: “As we continue scaling up and significantly expanding our global footprint, we’re committed to ensuring we’re the best strategic partner for all brands and licensors in our portfolio. The launch of our Partnerships team, with the hugely talented Meike at the helm, will offer a unified and seamless approach for partners looking to fully benefit from our comprehensive global capabilities and local expertise.”

Meike de Vaere adds: “We have a fantastic and valued portfolio of brands at WildBrain CPLG, and we’re deeply committed to offering the best possible partnerships. This exciting step will offer partners an unrivalled integrated and proactive approach across all our services globally, and I look forward to continuing to grow and sustain valuable relationships driving success for the long-term.”

Before rejoining WildBrain three years ago as Retail Director of Benelux, De Vaere held several senior global Retail & Marketing positions including at Mattel, Rituals Cosmetics and Parabel Foods.

Bethan Garton appointed Chief Commercial Officer of The Point.1888

Posted on by

Retail-focused licensing agent The Point.1888 has gone through a leadership restructure as Bethan Garton is appointed Chief Commercial Officer. The move comes following a hugely successful year in 2021 with the signing of 14 new brands and the launch of two new sister companies, Story.1888 and Spotlight.1888.

Bethan Garton will take over the overall running of The Point.1888, including all commercial aspects, brand management, licensee partnerships, product development, retail, legal and finance, as well as the more recent focus on international growth. She has worked across brand owners, agencies and licensees, and brands such as Star Wars, Fisher-Price, Coca-Cola, L.O.L. Surprise, CoComelon and many more, and has huge category experience.

Will Stewart, CEO and founder of The Point.1888, will have a different focus to help build the new businesses and any future businesses, under the True Purpose Enterprises umbrella. Both Story.1888, the creative marketing agency, and Spotlight.1888, the new retail agency, are now attracting a large number of clients thanks to the complementary nature of all three businesses.

Will Stewart, CEO and Founder of The Point.1888, says: “Bethan has a long-distinguished career in licensing, with more years of experience than me, and is therefore the right person to take the business forward. With her experience, she is perfectly placed to take The Point.1888 to the next level, while inspiring and motivating the amazing team we have built at The Point.”

Bethan adds: “Over the last 12 months, while Will and I have been planning the future of the business, I have already been acting as CCO and wherever possible taking on the running of The Point.1888 to allow Will to focus on new business areas. I’m delighted to take on the role and look forward to working with our incredible team to continue to create leading licensing programmes that excel at retail for our clients.”

 

 

Christina Milian, Dr Seuss Enterprises and Random House come together for charity initiative

Posted on by

Actress, singer, and songwriter Christina Milian is teaming up with Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Random House Children’s Books to commemorate Hats Off to Reading, an annual celebration that encourages the love of reading in young kids, with a very special reading of GREEN EGGS AND HAM for U.S. charity initiative The Birthday Party Project. 

The Birthday Party Project is a national non-profit organisation that creates birthday experiences for children experiencing homelessness, and during the month of March, for every monetary donation made, Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Random House Children’s Books will be gifting one book to the organisation. Christina Milian’s reading was specially created for the kids of The Birthday Party Project to enjoy, but Dr. Seuss fans everywhere are invited to check it out as well.

 

Christina Milian said, “I’m so inspired by the work The Birthday Party Project has done to make a difference in the lives of kids experiencing homelessness. Their mission to ensure that every child knows that they are worth celebrating really resonates with me, as I’m a mom of three and fully understand that moments like this matter. I’m proud to support their mission and help spread some joy with this fun reading of one of our family’s favourites Green Eggs and Ham!”

In addition to the donation campaign throughout the month of March, Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Random House Children’s Books are also endeavoring to give the gift of reading to kids experiencing homelessness and transition through a financial donation to The Birthday Party Project. Additionally, they will provide a selection of Dr. Seuss books as birthday gifts for “birthday kids” at The Birthday Party Project’s agency partner-hosted parties, as well as a selection of Dr. Seuss books and a Happy Birthday to You! Big Book to use for story times and parties at participating agencies. There will also be a special edition promotional printing of Dr. Seuss’s Happy Birthday to You! activity booklets for a year’s worth of “Birthdays in a Bag”, a programme The Birthday Party Project started during the pandemic to keep celebrations going without in-person events.

The Birthday Party Project is a Dallas-based organisation that partners with more than 67 agencies across the country to bring joy through the magic of a birthday celebration to children experiencing homelessness. Those who would like to contribute to The Birthday Party Project can donate on their website.

 

Cyber Group Studios bolsters core team with industry veterans

Posted on by

Cyber Group Studios (CGS), producer and distributor of animated series for children and families worldwide, has named three industry veterans to lead its production, development and R&D. The new hires are in response to the company’s strong business growth which is now at a historical high, with 10 series in production and 10 more in development this year. 

The newly named executives are Laurence Barret, appointed Vice President Studio Operations (Paris); Stéphanie Legraverant, promoted to Managing Director of CGS’ Roubaix studio (Hauts-de-France); and Andreas J Carlen, elevated to Chief Technology Officer for the entire group. All three will report to Dominique Bourse, COO and Co-founder of Cyber Group Studios.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with such a talented team of executives at an exciting moment of growth for our company, where new opportunities are constantly arising in this very fast-evolving industry worldwide,” said Bourse.

Laurence Barret, in her new role as Vice President Studio Operations, will be in charge of managing the Paris studio. She will also supervise all production budgets and the allocation of resources for all the company studios. In addition, Barret will determine and allocate production resources to new projects in development for the company. Barret was previously Head of Production & Studio Director at Ellipse Studio and Head of Production at TeamTO.

Stéphanie Legraverant, previously Production Director at Cyber Group Studios’ Roubaix (Hauts-de-France), has been promoted to Managing Director, Roubaix Studio, in charge of developing the company’s facilities and resources. During her tenure, the Roubaix studio developed a unique 2D production expertise and forged ahead into real-time production with the development of an Unreal native pipe, inaugurated with the studio’s first digital program, Giganto Club (26×11’). Produced in 2021/2022, the digital series exclusively for AVOD platforms and social networks, launched worldwide in partnership with YouTube, on February 3, 2022.

Andreas J Carlen, a veteran software engineering wizard and a Technical Director with more than 25 years of experience in the animation production and videogame industries, has been promoted to Chief Technology Officer of the group. Together, Andreas and his team will be responsible for furthering the real-time production pipe initiated in 2021 to create the Giganto Club; as well as industrializing the production process while keeping it creative-driven for the entire group worldwide.

 

Mattel names Ruth Henriquez Head of Consumer Products for EMEA

Posted on by

Mattel has announced the appointment of marketing veteran Ruth Henriquez as Head of Consumer Products for the EMEA region. In this role, Henriquez will oversee the entire consumer products portfolio across all Mattel IP brands, as well as further integration of the CP division into franchise marketing.

Henriquez has had a successful decade at Mattel EMEA with expert knowledge across the company’s portfolio, having worked on every Mattel brand both at local and regional level.

She joined the Mattel finance department in 2011 before moving into marketing and heading up marketing teams in both Italy and the Iberia region, where she successfully accelerated the business in both her appointments. In her most recent role, where she relocated to the UK, she was Marketing Director for EMEA Infant and Preschool Brands including Fisher-Price, Thomas & Friends and Fireman Sam.

Roz Nowicki, Head of Global Consumer Products and Franchise Marketing, says: “We are delighted to appoint Ruth in this role with her wealth of experience in the European market. Together with her team, she will focus on accelerating growth and amplifying the value of the Mattel brands through engaging Consumer Products programmes.”

In the last financial reporting, Mattel EMEA was the fastest-growing region for the corporation. For the quarter, Gross Billings increased 18% with POS up Mid-Single Digits, and for the full year, Gross Billings gained 20% with POS up Low Double Digits.

 

 

Moonbug Entertainment appoints Susan Vargo as Head of Live Events

Posted on by

Moonbug Entertainment Ltd. has appointed Susan Vargo as Head of Live Events. She will be work across all the Moonbug properties, including Blippi, CoComelon and Little Baby Bum.

In the newly created role, Vargo will lead, oversee, manage and drive all of Moonbug’s brand and franchise specific live shows, branded areas, character events and experiences in locations such as theme parks, water parks, attractions and more. Vargo will be based in the UK head offices, working closely with the Moonbug team in the USA.

Vargo is the Tony Award nominated and Drama Desk Award winning executive producer of The SpongeBob Musical on stage and for television. Before joining Moonbug, she oversaw global creative development for Nickelodeon live entertainment, including stage adaptations, theme park programmes and resort entertainment.

During her time at Nickelodeon Vargo was also responsible for the strategic expansion of the live theatrical business from one domestic US touring theatrical to multiple simultaneous domestic and international tours, including preschool megahit adaptations of Paw Patrol Live! and Dora The Explorer Live!

Previously, Vargo managed licensing of stage adaptations for Paramount Pictures, including Ghost the Musical, The First Wives Club, Mad Hot Ballroom, Leap of Faith, and Clueless.

Earlier in her career, Vargo worked on Broadway general management for shows including Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry Jam, Beauty and the Beast, Chicago and more. She has also advised theatrical producers Fiery Angel Productions, Limelight Productions and Cinema Gypsy Productions on creative development, global licensing expansion and property acquisition and continues to develop independent projects for the stage.

“I am thrilled to be joining Moonbug at such an exciting time of the company’s growth,” Vargo says. “There are so many opportunities to bring the joy of our brands to parents and preschoolers across the globe via events and attractions. I can’t wait to get started.”

Simon Philips, Managing Director Global Consumer Products at Moonbug Entertainment, comments: “In just three years we have become an award-winning global entertainment company with a portfolio of leading children’s brands. Susan’s Vargo’s recent appointment is a key role in our continued growth and reflects our commitment to bringing the best quality content both online and offline to parents and preschoolers across the globe. Susan has a wealth of experience and expertise, and we are excited for her to join us on the next stage of the Moonbug journey.”