PlayMonster has named Richard Gill as vice-president, International, or Chief Explorer Monster as the company playfully calls him.
Gill brings more than 30 years of experience to his new role, and will use that to develop and lead PlayMonster’s international division, covering all markets outside of the U.S., Canada and UK. Interplay, which the company acquired in 2018, will continue to be run as a separate subsidiary, managed by UK Managing Director Adrian Whyles.
Prior to joining PlayMonster, Gill successfully co-owned and managed McGill Assocs., an international sales and marketing consultancy, for nearly 20 years. With products placed in more than 50 markets worldwide, McGill Assocs. provides instant international development function to small- to medium-sized toy industry clients looking for international partners, licensees, or distributors. For the last seven-plus years, Gill has consulted and worked with PlayMonster to expand its games into 50 countries outside of the U.S. and Canada. This included the 5 Second Rule, which to date, has reached 44 countries in 28 languages and is a top-seller both in and out of the U.S. market.
Born in the UK but living primarily in the U.S. since 1993, Gill was responsible for overseeing the international successes of both Trivial Pursuit and Pictionary for 15 years, before the sale of the Pictionary business in 2001. As the former co-owner and developer of the Pictionary brand, Gill built an international network for the game into more than 60 markets and 35 languages while successfully extending the brand into a syndicated TV show, publishing, electronics, the gaming industry, party goods, and the confectionary businesses, among others.
“Having known and respected Richard for over 20 years now, I am very excited to have him as part of the PlayMonster team,” said Bob Wann, CEO and Chief PlayMonster. “His vast experience and track record of success with our brands and others will be key in the company’s rapid growth and successful international expansion.”
“I’ve enjoyed working with PlayMonster over the last several years and am thrilled to be part of the team,” said Gill. “It feels like the right time to join the company to focus on their international expansion goals. PlayMonster is a perfect fit for me with its culture of playfulness and determination, and commitment to innovation. It’s an honor to join the respected management team here and I look forward to working more closely with them to create a stronger global presence.”