Category: You’re Hired

Leading premium children’s apparel brand, Hanna Andersson, announced that Grace Wong, a former marketing executive for Apple’s Beats by Dr. Dre and the Gap, has joined the company as Chief Brand Officer. Wong will oversee the brand marketing strategy, grounded in its deep heritage and core values including quality, sustainability, and unparalleled comfort. Reporting to CEO Aimée Lapic, Grace Wong brings over 20 years of strategic brand building experience to Hanna Andersson’s marketing team. In her new role leading brand marketing, she will develop strategies that scale the brand and the business. Wong will lead creative development of all brand and product assets producing impactful storytelling across the brand’s ecosystem from strategic ideation to content creation for key initiatives in support of the brand vision.

Hidden Pigeon Company (HPC), the dynamic new multiplatform kids and family content company that is furthering the reach of award-winning author/illustrator Mo Willems’s beloved character brands, has named Kristofer Updike, a veteran children’s entertainment executive with deep expertise in development and production, content creation, and more, Senior Vice President, Creative. Updike reports directly to CEO Karen K. Miller.

Mattel, Inc (NASDAQ: MAT) has promoted PJ Lewis to Senior Vice President, Global Head of Action Figures and Fisher-Price Entertainment. It was announced by Mattel Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer, Lisa McKnight to whom Lewis reports. Lewis is taking on an expanded role as Executive Lead for Action Figures and Fisher-Price Entertainment, including management of Action Figures, Plush and Preschool Entertainment, inclusive of Barney and Imaginext.

Southard Communications, a New York-based communications and public relations agency, celebrates its 30th anniversary, commemorating a legacy of impactful storytelling and media relations. Founded in 1994 by visionary Bill Southard, the company has been instrumental in shaping the narratives of businesses ranging from burgeoning startups to industry stalwarts.

Mattel, Inc (NASDAQ: MAT) announced three key appointments to Mattel Television Studios’ executive team. Sidney Clifton has been named Head of Creative, Animation, Cory Bennett Lewis has been named Head of Production, and Amy Suh has been named Head of Creative, Live Action – Scripted & Unscripted. All three will report directly to Michelle Mendelovitz, Global Head of Mattel Television Studios.

IMC Toys is seeking a VP of Sales to join their team and help grow their presence in the US. IMC Toys US is a subsidiary of IMC Toys Spain. See below for details:

The team is small and dynamic, made of self-starters that truly enjoy the start-up nature of the company. Each day is something new as the foundation is built in the US market, setting the company up for future growth. Under the direction of the Chief Commercial Officer (Spain-based), the VP of Sales builds and executes the growth strategy for all US and Canada accounts. The role is home-based with a requirement of regular travel to accounts with occasional travel to the global headquarters in Barcelona. This is a great opportunity to join the IMC Team in an exciting and dynamic role while we continue our growth in the US Market!

Dallas Market Center has announced two promotions within its Apparel Leasing team. Jill Cunningham has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Apparel Leasing; and Bailey Watson has been promoted to Vice President of Apparel Leasing. Eva Walsh will continue to handle New Business Development as she spends more time with her family. These position changes will be effective May 1.

Mattel, Inc announced today that Brian Fitzharris has been appointed as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Fisher-Price, effective April 22, 2024. Fitzharris will lead the Fisher-Price Infant and Toddler Core brands and serve as leader of the company’s East Aurora, NY campus. Fitzharris will report to Lisa McKnight, Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer at Mattel.

Academy Award-nominated French animation studio Xilam Animation has promoted Chloé Menier to the newly created position of Brand Manager, effective immediately. Menier is based in Xilam’s Paris headquarters and reports into Safaa Benazzouz, EVP Distribution at Xilam Animation. Menier will now handle brand development across Xilam’s catalogue of brands – including Oggy Oggy, Zig & Sharko, Lupin’s Tales, Oggy & the Cockroaches – on a 360-degree scale. As part of her role, she will collaborate closely with the company’s sales, marketing and digital teams. She will also continue to work with Xilam’s licensees on the artwork and product approvals, to ensure awareness and consistency across the company’s brands.