Category: You’re Hired

TCG Toys has announced the appointment of Lindsay Karbum, as Vice President Global Sales joining the Toronto-based company as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. In her role, Karbum is charged with driving and growing TCG’s key product categories, including SURE-LOX puzzles, Imaginmats play mats and FleXfigs collectible figures, as well as other key brands, with an omni-channel strategy, and focus on providing accounts with newness and unique positioning.

Katie Huber joins Fred Rogers Productions as Senior Director of Licensing, positioning the iconic children’s media organization for further growth ahead. Huber brings deep market knowledge that will provide additional capacity for new opportunities across the company’s portfolio. In her role, Huber is charged with developing and executing comprehensive brand licensing strategies. She will work alongside Matt Shiels, vice president of business and legal affairs, and Micah Southwood, director of product development.

Sesame Workshop, the global impact nonprofit behind Sesame Street, named Dannette (Danni) Hill to the newly created role of Chief People Officer overseeing Human Resources functions. Hill will be responsible for leading a division that supports innovative best practices and organizational excellence for Sesame Workshop. Hill will report to President and Interim CEO Sherrie Westin. “Through her extensive leadership roles and accomplishments across a variety of organizations, Danni has demonstrated an expertise in optimizing the employee experience, recruiting top talent, and building an exceptional Human Resources team,” said Westin. “We’re excited to have her guide the strategy and operations of the organization’s HR department, to help us deliver on the Workshop’s mission of helping all children grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.”

The Mighty Jaxx Group (‘Mighty Jaxx’, ‘the Group’), a global network of brands and companies that aims to bring tomorrow’s pop culture, content, and experiences right into your home and hands, is pleased to announce the appointment of Matt Buss as its General Manager (Americas) to drive its brand growth, licensing and retail business in the Americas. Based in Los Angeles, Matt is an accomplished business leader and innovator with a track record in brand development, product innovation, and strategic expansion, and has more than 15 years’ experience dealing with all major / mass global retailers.

Learning Resources, a trusted and family-owned manufacturer of educational toys, games, classroom products and pet enrichment toys, is proud to announce the appointment of Jon Horn as its new Vice President of Brand Management. In this role, Horn will contribute his strategic vision to develop impactful marketing campaigns and strengthen the company’s partnerships with retailers and distributors. With his wealth of expertise across mid to large-scale Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) brands, Horn is poised to propel the company’s brand visions forward, reinforcing their standing as pioneers in educational toys.

The Toy Association has announced the 2024 election of seven new members and two term renewals to its Board of Directors, including the election of Sharon Price John, president & CEO of Build-ABear Workshop, as chairperson. The announcement was made during The Toy Association’s Annual General Meeting, which was open to all toy industry stakeholders. The meeting included updates on the ways in which the organization is listening to, engaging with, and bringing together the industry; the Association’s fight against harmful legislation and other obstacles threatening the toy and play community’s ability to get toys effectively and safely into consumers’ hands; and details about the upcoming LA Fall Preview and Toy Fair 2025 events.

King Features Syndicate, a unit of Hearst and home to some of the world’s most popular entertainment characters, has promoted Carla Silva to Senior Vice President, General Manager, and Head of Global Licensing. Silva, a seasoned veteran in the consumer products licensing industry and an expert in brand development, brings over two decades of invaluable experience and expertise into her expanded role.

Crazy Aaron’s, the mastermind company behind the iconic, U.S.-manufactured Thinking Putty, Land of Dough, and new Slime Charmers brands welcomes Cassie Slane Guglielmo as the Manager of Licensing and Content Development. Guglielmo has over ten years of experience in the toy industry. Most recently, she served as Vice President at Barry & Jason Games and Entertainment, overseeing licensing, business operations, and partnerships. Prior to this role, she launched the arts & crafts company Dreamland Fairy, which rapidly expanded into specialty markets, earning recognition as “Vendor of the Year” from Learning Express. This endeavor marked the onset of her career in the toy industry. Guglielmo also brings with her a robust background in television journalism, marketing and sales.

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.