TRU Names Leadership Team for Retail Business in Asia
Toys “R” Us, Inc., has named the leadership team for its retail business operations in Southeast Asia and Greater China, following the recent announcement of its new joint venture agreement with Li & Fung Retailing.
Monika Merz, currently president and CEO, Toys “R” Us, Japan has been named president, Toys “R” Us, Asia. In addition to providing ongoing leadership for the Toys “R” Us businesses in Japan and Australia, her role has been expanded to include oversight and further development of the company’s operations across seven markets throughout Asia. Merz continues to report to Jerry Storch, chairman and CEO, Toys “R” Us, Inc.
Pieter Schats has been named managing director, Toys “R” Us, Southeast Asia and Greater China. Prior to this, he served as CEO of Toys LiFung (Asia) Limited, which previously operated the Toys “R” Us business in Asia under a licensing agreement.
He is now responsible for all operations and business activities for the company’s 90 wholly owned stores in Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. He also provides support for the company’s 14 licensed stores in the Philippines and Macau. Schats reports to Merz.
Learning Resources Names Woldenberg as CEO
Learning Resources announced that current chairman and former CEO, Richard Woldenberg, will reassume the CEO position, replacing Etienne Veber. Veber, who has been with Learning Resources for six years, first as president then as CEO for the past four years, is leaving to pursue other interests.
Woldenberg’s family has been involved with Learning Resources since its founding in 1984. He was previously the company’s CEO from 1998–2007 and has been its chairman since 2007.
Changes at GLM Management
GLM Holdings, created by Providence Equity Partners as part of its acquisition of George Little Management (GLM) announced that Charles G. McCurdy, CEO of GLM Holdings, will also take on the CEO role for GLM at the operating company level. GLM Holdings also announced that Doug Smith, formerly CFO of Education Dynamics, will become GLM’s CFO and chief administrative officer at both the holding company and operating company levels.
Alan E. Steel, Jeff Little, and Jack Withiam will be leaving the firm after advising McCurdy and Smith during a transitional period.
Sy Ziv, TRU Veteran, Passed Away
Toys “R” Us veteran, Seymour Ziv, passed away on October 31 at age 86. His obituary was featured in the Palm Beach Daily News. Read it here.
Social Media Hires at Child’s Play Communications
Child’s Play Communications announced that Debbie Bookstaber has been named acting social media director. Bookstaber will be joined by Tracy Aboudiwan who is social media specialist.
Bookstaber has counseled numerous PR firms and Fortune 500 companies on blogger relations and effective social media strategies. Her clients have included Expedia, Travelocity, ASTRA, Corolle, Steiff, WebmasterRadio.fm, RosieHippo.com, Scandinavian Child, and several other brands. She was most recently VP of strategy and business development at The JAR Group. In addition, Bookstaber is the blogger behind mamanista.com, a product review blog for moms. With Candace Lindemann, she co-founded bloganthropy.org, a non-profit organization that empowers bloggers to become philanthropic leaders in their communities.
Tracy Aboudiwan has worked for public relations agencies including Burson-Marsteller’s London office and Susan Magrino Agency and M. Silver Associates in New York.