Wyncor, the newly established global toy company committed to creating innovative and imaginative toys aligned with its intellectual properties and premium brands, proudly announces the appointment of two distinguished sales executives to join the company’s sales team. Ami Dieckman, a former executive at Entertainment One and Just Play, has been named Vice President of Sales for EMEA and APAC; and Steve Markey, a seasoned professional most recently with Hog Wild Toys, will lead sales efforts across North America and LATAM as VP of Sales, Americas. Both executives will report directly to Wyncor’s Chief Operating Officer, Helena Perheentupa.
With products already available in 45+ countries at leading retail outlets such as Target, Fred Meyer, Meijer, and Amazon, Wyncor’s mission is to offer speed and flexibility to retailers and partners, exceptional product development in collaboration with partners’ IP content, and deliver premium quality and innovative products to consumers. Wyncor works closely with partners’ creative teams to ensure that products are a natural extension of their content, offering a rich, immersive, and fun experience for their fans. Wyncor donates a percentage of global toy sales to Gustave Roussy, the leading comprehensive cancer center in Europe, for research against cancer. Perheentupa spearheads all operations for Wyncor, which is owned by Jstar Capital.
“Ami and Steve are accomplished leaders with global experience who can expertly guide our global sales strategy, planning, and execution,” commented Perheentupa. “We’re excited to announce these top-level appointments following an outstanding launch at the Nuremberg Toy Fair for our diverse range of innovative products, including patented toys such as the Miraball, ReClay, and SwopPop (patent filed), as well as other unique offerings that include Mon Ami, and Oozy Squeezy. With unprecedented interest in our toys from buyers around the globe, including products for world-leading brands from Paramount, Hasbro, ZAG, and Emoji Company, our path forward is to be bold and fearless, and we have the team in place to execute this mission.”
“It’s an incredible opportunity to join the newly established Wyncor and be part of the original team, led by Helena, to bring rich and immersive products to children around the world,” added Dieckman. “We have such an incredible portfolio of innovative toys and powerhouse brands, including PAW Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, SpongeBob SquarePants, Peppa Pig, My Little Pony, Transformers, Monopoly, Emoji, and Miraculous, that will soon be at retail everywhere, offering rich, immersive, and fun experiences to fans.”
“Wyncor is uniquely positioned to become a major force in the rapidly evolving toy business with its advanced approach to product development and manufacturing, which allows the company to respond promptly to evolving market trends and offer brands the opportunity to regularly offer new limited edition product lines for collectability and seasonal play,” said Markey. “This is an incredibly exciting time to join the company and work closely together with Helena and Ami to bring Wyncor’s inventive and relevant products to retail.”
Most recently, Dieckman served as VP of Customer Engagement EMEA & Latin America for Just Play following her 10-year tenure at Entertainment One, where she served as SVP of International Licensing, overseeing a global merchandising portfolio of lifestyle, family, and entertainment brands including preschool brand Peppa Pig and the superhero success story PJ Masks. She previously served in the content distribution sector, including roles at TV Loonland, ITV, and Entertainment Rights.
Markey has more than 20 years of expertise in the toy industry. He served most recently as VP, Sales and Marketing at Hog Wild Toys overseeing the company’s internal sales team as well as creating an international distributor network in 30+ countries. He has also served as Vice President of Sales at Green Toys, Head of Global Sales at Crazy Aaron’s, and Vice President of Sales and Marketing at PlanToys.
Wyncor holds global rights from powerhouse companies Paramount, Hasbro, ZAG, and Emoji Company, for new product launching in Spring/Summer 2024.
· For Paramount’s multi-billion-dollar brands Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and SpongeBob SquarePants, and Spin Master’s PAW Patrol, the Miraball and ReClay.
· For industry titan Hasbro, the Miraball for Peppa Pig, My Little Pony, Transformers (excluding Japan), and Monopoly.
· For Emoji Company, one of the most iconic, expressive and influential lifestyle brands in the world, the Miraball and SwopPop will continue to spread their fun, enthusiasm, and emotions around the world.
· And for ZAG’s globally popular Miraculous brand, products already at retail include the Miraball, SwopPop, and Mon Ami Kwamis; with ReClay launching Spring 2024.
COO Perheentupa has an extensive industry background. Through her 13-year tenure at Mattel in Frankfurt, Germany, she rose through the ranks to become Head of Licensing, overseeing Mattel properties such as Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, Monster High, Uno, and Matchbox; and Hit Entertainment properties Thomas & Friends, Fireman Sam, Bob the Builder, Pingu, and more. Prior, she served for eight years at blue-chip giant Procter and Gamble in business planning and strategy roles, and most recently at ZAG.