Schleich Expands U.S. Sales, Marketing Team
Schleich grows its U.S. team with seven sales and marketing hires. Oliver Krause-Huckleberry is now head of marketing and Jerry Kurtzweil is director of sales. Also newly onboard are Jeanie Crone as senior manager, specialty; National Account Managers Alinka Griffin and Holly Keebler; Marketing Communications Manager Chris Swalm; and Trade Marketing Manager Angela Amos.
Krause-Huckleberry, an accomplished marketing professional with more than 15 years of senior-level experience, has a proven track record of success in strategic marketing management, tactical market planning, integrated marketing, and more in the U.S. and internationally. Prior to joining Schleich, Krause-Huckleberry was director of marketing for Hartmann USA, a leader in the medical device industry, where he was credited with developing and managing the start-up of a new business unit. He also served as program and packaging manager for Proctor & Gamble as well as Channel Manager for SCA Hygiene Products.
A 25-year veteran of the children’s consumer products business, Kurtzweil has worked in the mass market, gift and specialty trade channels, and with licenses such as Disney/Pixar, Nickelodeon, Sesame Workshop, Marvel, and Hasbro. His career also includes 20 years at Publications International as well as senior roles at Ty and Asmodee. Kurtzweil, who is leading the sales team, was promoted to his current post after a year as acting director. Both Krause-Huckleberry and Kurtzweil report to Schleich USA President Michael Keaton.
Crone’s background includes 16 years as a retail buyer as well as senior leadership positions in global sourcing, production, and product development for companies such as Phillips Van Heusen and Tommy Hilfiger. Most recently, she served as vice-president and national sales manager for Education Development Corporation (EDC), a publisher of children’s books.
An experienced advertising and marketing professional and project manager, Amos has held related posts at McDonald’s, HanesBrand, Lowe’s Home Improvement, and New York Life. She was most recently head of marketing and communications for Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont of North Carolina.
Keebler and Griffin each join Schleich with 15 years of experience in their respective fields — Keebler in direct sales and management in the mass, gift, specialty, and digital business; and Griffin in sales, marketing and product development in the toy industry. Most recently, Keebler worked at Mud Pie and IG Design Group, while Griffin has worked with brands including Lisa Frank, Savvi Stuff and Cra-Z-Art, and at retail chains Hills Department Stores and Child World.
Swalm joined Schleich from Coveris, a leading global manufacturer of packaging solutions, where he was corporate marketing communications manager. In this capacity, Swalm was responsible for developing the company’s corporate marketing communications strategy and managing its branding and promotional activities.