Hasbro Ups Frascotti to President
Hasbro has promoted John Frascotti to president, effective immediately. Frascotti continues to report to Brian Goldner who now serves as chairman and CEO of Hasbro. In his new role, Frascotti will continue to lead Hasbro’s product design and development, global marketing, digital gaming, entertainment, and consumer products initiatives. Frascotti joined Hasbro in 2008 as CMO, and in 2014 became president of Hasbro Brands. During his tenure, he has played a critical role in the re-imagination and re-invention of Hasbro’s portfolio of brands including Transformers, Nerf, My Little Pony, Monopoly, Magic: The Gathering, and Play-Doh. His experience in brand building, brand marketing, digital marketing, and entertainment has contributed to expanding the reach of these brands globally. Prior, Frascotti served in several senior executive positions at Reebok International Ltd. including senior vice-president of the sport division. There, he managed the company’s largest global business segment. He is also is a member of the board of directors of Corus Entertainment and was recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of top five most influential CMOs amongst the top 500 companies in Forbes Global 2000 Biggest Public Companies list.
Waldron Named Level-5 abby SVP
Toy industry and licensing veteran Simon Waldron has joined Level-5 abby, Inc., in the newly created position of senior vice-president, marketing and licensing. Waldron will lead all marketing initiatives in North America, South America, and Australia-New Zealand as well as liaise with other Level-5 abby offices in Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, and Europe. Based at the company’s global headquarters in Santa Monica, Calif., and reporting to COO Yukari Hayakawa, Waldron’s responsibilities include overseeing global brand marketing strategy and brand execution as well as portfolio and partner development. He will also direct marketing, public relations, and promotions for Level-5 abby’s properties, including Yo-Kai Watch and Snack World; manage in- and out-of-house marketing staff and agencies; and ensure property integration across all platforms. Previously, Waldron held several senior-level marketing and management positions at Mattel, where he developed new lines of revenue for a host of brands. His experience in brand management, brand re-launches, and brand introductions includes extensive strategic and hands-on work with Mattel’s Fisher-Price and Hot Wheels, Spin Master, as well as consumer brands including Quaker Oats, Campbell Soup, and Henkel.
Henson Hires Children’s Entertainment Vet Maizes
The Jim Henson Company has brought on 20-year veteran of the children’s entertainment and publishing industry, Sarah Maizes, for the newly created position of vice-president of children’s entertainment. In her new role, Maizes will focus on the production of all preschool and children’s programming for television, home entertainment, and digital media in animated and live-action formats. Maizes most recently served as a production executive on the company’s new series for preschoolers Dot., which currently airs on Sprout. Maizes will report to Halle Stanford, executive vice-president of children’s entertainment. Maizes began her career as a literary agent at William Morris, where she represented children’s book authors and illustrators and went on to help build the agency’s kids’ entertainment division. She then served as a development executive at Nelvana, KingWorld Animation, and Mattel Entertainment. She is also an award-winning children’s book author (On My Way to the Bath and On My Way to Bed) and a regular parenting and lifestyle contributor to Today.com.
Discovery Consumer Products Taps Li
Discovery Consumer Products, the licensing arm of Discovery Communications, has named Ricky Li as vice-president, global lifestyle and retail. In this role, he will be responsible for creating a vision for Discovery’s growth in the competitive global lifestyle brands market. Li will also oversee key fashion, lifestyle, and soft lines strategies across apparel, accessories, footwear, and home categories. He will report to Leigh Anne Brodsky, executive vice-president, Discovery Global Enterprises. Li joins Discovery Communications from Aeropostale, where he spent the past six years spearheading its global business development and international expansion, which led to more than 300 stores in Asia, the Middle East, South America, Europe, and North America. Prior, he served in leadership roles at Sketchers Inc., Gap Inc., LeSportsac Inc., and Christian Dior Couture.