Tag Archives: Mark Kingston

ViacomCBS Consumer Products to share Diversity & Inclusion insights plus new toy research during BLE Day 2 keynote

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ViacomCBS will share insights from its corporate Diversity & Inclusion efforts with a specific focus on its recently conducted toy research study during Brand Licensing Europe’s second day keynote.

Mark Kingston, Senior Vice President, International, ViacomCBS Consumer Products will lead the keynote and review the impact on culture, community and industry when there’s a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging. The keynote will also include Ameeta Held, Vice President, Insights and Business Strategy, Consumer Products, ViacomCBS, referencing original toy research detailing the importance of authentic representation in dolls and the impact on choice.

The keynote, which takes place in-person at BLE from 13:00-14:00 on Thursday 18 November, will also set the background as to why the consumer products and licensing community plays such a pivotal role in diversity and inclusion.

“As an organisation we are dedicated to creating content that reflects the global audiences we serve, and within consumer products we are especially committed to ensuring our products are inclusive and representative,” says Mark Kingston. “Our latest research shines a light on the important role our industry plays in our continued conversation around Diversity & Inclusion and I look forward to presenting our thoughts and findings alongside my colleagues at BLE.”

Ahead of ViacomCBS’ keynote, representatives from Black Lives Matter Licensing UK will take to the stage to talk about the group’s purpose, goals and activity in the sector to date.

Informa Markets’ VP of Licensing Anna Knight says, “It’s not possible to underestimate the importance of this keynote to our industry and I implore everyone who is attending BLE to pre-register now and secure a spot. Consumer products has a huge responsibility – and opportunity – to represent, embrace and empower diversity if we are to build a more inclusive and equal future for consumers across the world.”

ViacomCBS is one of over 150 exhibitors currently confirmed for BLE, which takes place in-person at ExCeL London from 17-19 November followed by an online event on 30 November to 1 December. The Exhibitor list features companies from all three licensing categories – Character & Entertainment, Brands & Lifestyle, and Art, Design & Image – and with strong representation from Europe, the UK and wider afield.

You can view the show’s exhibitor list here.

ViacomCBS names Jennifer Pang vice president and head of licensing for Greater China

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ViacomCBS Consumer Products has appointed Jennifer Pang to lead its business in Greater China. Pang will be based in Hong Kong, reporting to Mark Kingston, senior vice president, International Licensing, while Claire O’Connor, vice president, consumer products and retail marketing, Asia Pacific, will exit the business.

In her role, Pang will lead VCP’s overall licensing business across markets in Greater China for all ViacomCBS franchises. She is responsible for managing the team, VCP’s master licensee agent as well as global partnership activity locally, while sourcing and executing local licensing and promotional deals.

She will also oversee retail sales and marketing, driving revenue through key account management.

Kingston said: “Asia is an important area of focus for us as we continue to engage with our audiences and extend our most loved IPs and brands beyond linear. With Jennifer’s insight and familiarity of the region as well as her expertise, we are looking forward to aggressively pursuing new partnerships and capitalising on opportunities in this key market.”

Pang has over 11 years of experience in licensing, brand management and strategy across Asia. She was most recently with Hasbro Consumer Products where she served as head of category licensing for North Asia, managing the licensing programme for eOne and Hasbro brands.

Prior to that, Pang was with Entertainment One where she was senior director, Licensing – Asia, Family & Brands.