Veteran licensing executive Gabrielle Sims will head the softlines business for Hasbro’s consumer products division in the UK, the company says.
“We have big growth plans for our UK business and are thrilled to be adding such strong talent to our team,” said Sally Carnota, the category licensing director at Hasbro UK and Ireland. ” Gabrielle’s exceptional creativity and commercial experience will take our softlines business to the next level.”
Sims has worked in the licensing industry for more than 15 years, with leading agencies like IMG. She most recently ran the licensing program for the fashion brand FatFace.
That company was founded in 1988 by two self-described ski bums in France who “hatched a plan” to finance their skiing lifestyle by printing sweatshirts and T-shirts, selling them at night so they could hit the slopes during the day. The name FatFace came from the founder’s favorite ski run in Val d’Isere.
The brand prospered and grew rapidly, and today the brand has more than 200 stores and a successful ecommerce site. Sims is looking forward to bringing that entrepreneurial spirit to Hasbro.
“I am thrilled and extremely proud to be joining Hasbro and being able to work on an iconic roster of brands and entertainment properties, some of which were a big part of my childhood growing up,” Sims said. “The timing couldn’t be more poignant for me, as I’m experiencing that magic and power of character all over again, but this time as a new parent.
“It greatly excites me to be returning to this area, particularly to be joining such a fantastic team and I can see so much potential and opportunity within the Hasbro portfolio.”