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.
Scott Halpern is promoted to Director North American Licensing at WWE.
Funko hires Molly Hartney as CMO & SVP E-commerce. Hartney is responsible for optimizing the company’s marketing and digital presence, building brand strength, and driving sales through all channels.
Mark Thoma leaves Target and moves to Buffalo Games, where he will serve as VP Business Development. At Target, he was the senior buyer for toys and board games; his most recent title was Director Merchandise Buying Toys.
Machinima has named media sales veteran Steve Reed as VP Brand Partnerships.
Jonathan Symington, former VP & GM Global Entertainment Licensing at Disney Consumer Products, launches The Lantic Group. The business consultancy specializes in building brands through product launches, licensing strategies, and international expansion; it is based in Los Angeles with a network in the U.K., France, Sweden, and China. Symington’s current clients include Deer Little Forest and Panini.
Scholastic appoints Stephanie Smirnov as EVP & Head Global Corporate Communications.
Penske Media promotes Paul Jowdy to Chief Business Officer & Publisher of WWD and Fairchild Live.
Stanley Furniture names Richard Ledger as CEO; its first major executive leadership development with the company since it was sold to Churchill Downs.
Game design and development company Fire Opal Media names Marie Poole as CEO. She continues to serve as VP of the Game Manufacturers Association Trade Show (GAMA) board.
David Campiti joins Dabel Brothers as VP Creative & Development. He will continue to run Glass House Graphics, a comics-centric artist agency, as its Owner & CEO. Dabel Brothers recently added Wes Harris as VP Business Development.
Hunter Gorinson, VP Marketing & Communications for Valiant Entertainment, is leaving the company.
Nike Brand President Trevor Edwards resigns hours after his former employer announced his retirement in August. Elliott Hill, the former President of Nike Geographies, would take over as President Consumer & Marketplace. Mark Parker remains as CEO & Chairman beyond 2020.
Univision CEO Randy Falco, whose contract runs through 2020, will instead retire by the end of 2018.
Tube filter reports that Vice Media co-founder and CEO Shane Smith is in talks to step down. He would be replaced by A&E Networks CEO Nancy Dubuc—who has recently stepped down from that role. Until Dubuc’s successor has been named, retired A&E executive Abbe Raven will serve as interim CEO. Smith will remain as Vice’s chairman.