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Carolina Perez-Amaya joins IMC Toys IMC Toys has appointed Carolina Perez-Amaya as national account manager for the UK. She joins the company from Tesco, where for the last four years she was the lead buyer for boys’ toys. In a 16-year stint at the supermarket giant, Perez-Amaya worked her way up from trainee buyer to assistant buyer, then buying manager, across a variety of sectors including cook and dine, party, stationery, home textiles and toys. Bringing a wealth of buying experience to her new sales role, she will work across IMC Toys brand portfolio, including best-selling Cry Babies, Cry Babies Magic Tears, Bubiloons and Bloopies, as well as new brands launching for A/W22 and S/S23. She will report into UK sales manager, Lisa Cox.
Page
turns over a new leaf Verity Page has rejoined Flair GP, taking up the role of head of marketing at the company where she had previously spent six years. Page, née Groom, had been marketing manager at the company, and was, Flair said, integral to the success of Shopkins and had worked on a number of key brands. Commenting on rejoining the sales and marketing division at Flair, Page said: “This is a great time to be re-joining the Flair team. The existing brand portfolio combines an exciting mix of fresh IPs and heritage favourites, with the likes of Plasticine, MonsterVerse, the Messi Training System, Stickle Bricks, Unique Eyes and more. And that’s not to mention everything that’s still to come for A/W22: Action Heroes, Hamstars and Super Cute Little Babies to name but a few. It really is such a privilege to have the opportunity to work across such iconic and innovative brands and I am delighted to be a part of the incredible Flair family, once again!” Julia Cake, UK MD at Flair GP, said: “We’re so thrilled to be able to welcome Verity back into the Flair fold. She played a huge role in launching Shopkins and multiple other Flair brands, and her experience in developing and executing impactful campaigns is going to make her a real asset to the team. “I very much look forward to working with Verity to ensure the continued development and growth of the business.” 12
Sara Taylor takes top role at MGA UK and Ireland Sara Taylor is set to join MGA Entertainment as managing director for the UK and Ireland. Taylor boasts more than 30 years’ experience in the international toy business; – her 13-year spell at Spin Master where she oversaw the UK, Ireland and Amazon Europe businesses, was preceded by stints at Funrise Toys and Mattel. In her new role at MGA she will be overseeing key brands such as L.O.L. Surprise!, Rainbow High and Little Tikes. Taylor said: “There’s no doubt that MGA Entertainment is at the forefront of the toy industry – and I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to play such a critical role within it. Working with such a passionate team – and on such innovative brands – both drives and excites me. I am
thrilled to be able to bring my experience, gained over three decades working in the industry, to this role and to take the UK and Ireland operations to the next level.” Isaac Larian, CEO and founder at MGA Entertainment added: “Sara has the great owner-operator mentality to fuel MGA’s growth to the next level. Her wealth of experience, combined with our incredible UK team and market-leading brands, is definitely a recipe for success. “I am truly excited to see what the future holds for the UK and Ireland business under such experienced and inspiring new leadership.”
University challenge
“Victoria is an absolute pleasure to work with and is a huge asset to the marketing team and the business as a whole”
After barely 12 months at University Games, Victoria Reece has been promoted from marketing assistant to the role of marketing executive. The company said Reece will play a key role in its Q4 campaigns and marketing activity, which will include a TV advertising burst, radio partnerships, YouTube and social media activity for Subbuteo, as well as multimedia campaigns for family game Smart Ass and assorted online activity for the likes of 5 Star Review, Question of Sport Board Game, Judge Your Friends and Quicksand. Marketing director Gemma Lewington is delighted to see this promotion: “Victoria is an absolute pleasure to work with and is a huge asset to the marketing team and the business as a whole. She has shown great diversity in her work and takes on every task she is given with dedication and focus. “Over the past year, Victoria has been instrumental in the development of two new trade websites for our businesses, working with creativity and initiative to ensure these major projects were delivered on time. It has been a joy to watch Victoria grow and develop in the role, to become the accomplished marketeer she now is, and achieve this promotion that she very much deserves.”
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