Are you hiring—or being promoted, changing jobs, retiring, launching a new company, or otherwise changing your employment? Email Jen at jen@plainlanguagemedia.com and we’ll announce the news in our next issue of Who’s News.
Mark Kingston is promoted to SVP Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products. Mark will be based in London, reporting to CMO Pam Kaufman. In addition to managing EMEA operations for the unit, his remit is expanded to include all regions outside of the US across retail, operations, licensing, and promotions, and marketing.
Marvel Entertainment’s Dan Buckley stands down as Publisher, a position he’s held for the last 15 years, to become the full-time President of the company. Dan is replaced by John Nee, formerly DC Entertainment’s SVP Business Development.
National Geographic Partners appoints Helena Mansell-Stopher, hailing from Bulldog Licensing, as Director Consumer Products U.K. Based in London, Helena will report to Maria Maranesi, VP Consumer Products & Experiences for Europe and Africa. Citing “modernization,” National Geographic Partners lays off about a dozen staffers—approximately 1% of its total workforce of 900 strong.
Online print-on-demand marketplace Redbubble taps Cynthia Money to serve as the company’s Head Licensing.
After restructuring, Precious Moments has a new licensing team in the shape of Abbie Honaker as Director New Business Licensing; Elisa McDermott as VP Sales; and Mary Theis as Licensing Manager. This year marks the company’s 40th anniversary.
Basic Fun!, the toyco formed from the merger of The Bridge Direct and Tech 4 Kids, appoints Ashley Mady to serve as Head Brand Development. Ashley formerly ran licensing and creative agency Brandberry; she continues to serve as President of the Women in Toys organization.
Ralph Lauren hires Alice Delahunt as Chief Digital Officer and appoints new digital leaders worldwide: Laura Porco is SVP E-commerce Ralph Lauren North America, Galen Hardy is SVP Club Monaco E-Commerce & Business Operations, and Valeria Juarezis is SVP E-commerce Intl.
The licensing arm and national broadcaster of the U.S. Polo Association, USPA Global Licensing, appoints J. Michael Prince to serve as CEO and W. David Cummings as Chairman of the Board. The team has crafted a new strategic plan which envisions the brand exceeding $2 billion in global retail sales (it’s currently at $1.5 billion), in part by transitioning USPA into a digital and media content-driven brand.
Univision Communications names Jessica Rodriguez to the newly created role of President & COO UCI Networks; Jessica will continue to serve in her existing role as CMO of UCI.
Jennifer Rogers Doyle is promoted to the newly created position of SVP Brand Development & Integrated Planning at Disney Channels. Jennifer will add integrated planning and the development of cross-department marketing strategies for Disney Junior, Disney Channel and Disney XD series, movies, and programming events to her remit.
The Walt Disney Co. is planning to give $1,000 bonuses to more than 125,000 non-managerial employees, including part-timers. CEO Bob Iger additionally promised to invest $50 million in a new education program. He didn’t mention whether the bonuses were connected with the recently enacted tax overhaul; Comcast and AT&T both cited the federal reform in announcing their recent bonus programs.
Within its North American Marketing and Events team, Octagon promotes Matt Malichio to SVP & Creative Director; Meredith Kinsman to VP Digital Strategy; and Lindsay Wynalek to VP.
The PGA TOUR unveils plans for its new global home, which will consolidate area employees under one roof in Ponte Vedra Beach. The new 187,000 square-foot headquarters is expected to be completed in 2020.