Category: You’re Hired

 Mattel, Inc (NASDAQ: MAT) announced today that Michelle Mendelovitz has been named Head of Mattel Television Studios. Mendelovitz will oversee the development, production, and distribution of Mattel’s robust slate of episodic content on broadcast and streaming globally. Mendelovitz reports to Josh Silverman, Chief Franchise Officer, Mattel. Ynon Kreiz, Chairman and CEO of Mattel, said: “Michelle is a powerful creative leader with a wealth of experience working with top studios and creators to make innovative, quality content across genres and platforms. We are excited for her to join at a time of such momentum for the company, and for the important role she will play in developing stories that resonate in culture and growing Mattel’s global fan base.”

WildBrain CPLG, one of the world’s leading entertainment, sport and brand licensing agencies, has added two highly experienced executives to bolster its in-house services and commercial teams in London and Munich, respectively. In London, Clare Vosper Mortimer has joined WildBrain CPLG’s in-house services team in the new role of VP, Finance and Operations, overseeing the company’s finance function and enhancing its global in-house service offering for partners as it continues to see significant growth. With new offices opened recently in Indonesia and the Philippines as part of the company’s expansion into APAC—bringing the global total to 23 offices driving business in over 100 territories—WildBrain CPLG’s in-house services team is scaling to better support its partners around the world. Clare’s focus will be on enabling even stronger partner-centric financial and operational services, augmenting WildBrain CPLG’s best-in-class suite of other in-house services which include creative, legal and partnerships. She reports to Maarten Weck, EVP, Global Partnerships and Licensing.

Global independent animation studio ZAG continues to build its brand roster on a global scale and has created a new Franchise Marketing Director role, with the appointment of veteran industry marketing executive Michael Berreth to the position. The announcement was made by Jeremy Zag, Founder and CEO, ZAG. Michael Berreth joins ZAG with over 20-years of experience working on some of the world’s most beloved consumer brands including Disney’s Winnie-the-Pooh and girl property Strawberry Shortcake. In this new role, reporting to Julian Jacob Zag, EVP, Global Operations and Head of Consumer Products, he will be responsible for steering franchise marketing strategy for ZAG’s brands. These include the globally popular Miraculous™, which follows the adventures of secret superheroes Ladybug and Cat Noir as they defend their beloved city of Paris from evil villains; and the cinematic CG-adventure series Ghostforce, which centers on three elementary school students who secretly form a superhero team—the Ghostforce—to fight the ghosts of New York.

Falcon’s Beyond Global, Inc (FBYD) (“Falcon’s” or the “Company”), a global entertainment powerhouse and visionary innovator in immersive storytelling, has announced its largest recruitment effort in the company’s history for its Falcon’s Creative Group business unit, with a goal to double its headcount. The company intends to hire nearly 200 new team members to support unprecedented company growth of creative projects across the globe. Currently headquartered in Orlando, Falcon’s Creative Group is one of the world’s leading themed entertainment and master planning firms, having planned over $100 billion in award-winning experiences where creative vision, compelling design, immersive media, and cutting-edge technology intersect to bring imagination to life. The division is launching its bold plan to recruit hundreds of design, media, and technology specialists in advance of the top industry trade conference, IAAPA Expo, in Orlando.

Spin Master, a leading global children’s entertainment company, has announced that Chris Beardall, President, Toys and Chief Commercial Officer will retire as of December 31, 2023. Doug Wadleigh, currently Head of Global Toy Brands, will succeed Chris as the new President, Toys beginning in January 2024, reporting to Max Rangel, Global President & CEO. “During Chris’ illustrious 23-year career with Spin Master he has been a driving force behind the introduction of thousands of toys to the market while also deepening and diversifying our portfolio and expanding our global footprint,” said Spin Master’s Global President & CEO, Max Rangel. “Chris leaves a legacy of amazing innovation that will forever be imprinted on the toy industry, and we wish him health and happiness in his next chapter. We’re grateful to have Chris’ support as we transition our Toy creative centre leadership to Doug, a seasoned toy industry executive. Doug has already made a meaningful impact at Spin Master, helping to strengthen our global toy brands and acquire new licensed partnerships. Under his leadership we will continue to unlock future growth within our toy business.”

WildBrain Ltd (“WildBrain” or the “Company”) (TSX: WILD), a global leader in kids’ and family entertainment, announces senior leadership changes and a streamlined business structure under a focused strategy designed to optimize its existing 360° IP management expertise and drive the growth of key WildBrain and partner franchises across its core capabilities of Content Creation, Audience Engagement and Global Licensing. As part of these changes, Nick Gawne has joined WildBrain as Chief Financial Officer, effective November 8, bringing over 20 years’ experience in finance, operations and business development in the media space with a focus on kids’ and family IP, including almost 15 years with eOne. A Chartered Professional Accountant, Gawne was most recently Executive Vice President and General Manager at eOne for three years following the acquisition of eOne by Hasbro. In that role he oversaw international teams in finance, HR and communications as well as three operating units across location-based entertainment, app publishing and animation.x

StickTogether Products has named toy industry veteran Bill Benda as its new consumer national sales manager. In this role, Benda will help grow the footprint of the company’s recently-launched Puzzle Face in brick-and-mortar and online stores nationwide. The one-of-kind Puzzle Face innovation allows young and old alike to create an unlimited number of different faces – their face, a friend’s face, a famous face from history – all with one 300-piece puzzle that can be assembled and reassembled again and again.   “Puzzle Face is truly a remarkable – and magical – innovation that makes an ideal gift for any home, classroom, or office,” said Sylvia Stein, president of StickTogether Products. “As we work to bring Puzzle Face to more stores and consumers nationwide, we know that Bill’s leadership and experience in the industry will be invaluable. We are thrilled to have him join our team.”

 YuMe Toys (part of Maxx Group), a shining star in the world of toys and collectibles since 2017, is thrilled to announce the arrival of a marketing maverick, Ryan Kravontka, who takes the helm as Global Marketing Director. With a remarkable career spanning entertainment and media, Ryan is poised to bring a fresh perspective and a wealth of invaluable experience to propel YuMe’s growth well into 2024 and beyond.  Ryan Kravontka, formerly the Senior Director of Business Development and Strategy at the prestigious creative agency XX Artists (now part of Media.Monks), is a seasoned expert in crafting innovative solutions and global marketing strategies.