ToyNews? recruitment partner Aardvark Swift has again highlighted the toy and licensing industry?s men and women of tomorrow who are driving and developing opportunities for their companies. Here are the ones to watch for 2011?

Ian Ham
Kiddimoto, 21, Head of UK Sales

In 18 months, he has increased the firm’s dealer network from 25 to 200. He also manages the accounts and ensures they all make regular new orders. Ham also manages and attends a number of UK trade shows. A motivated and ambitious sales manager, he has been instrumental in driving the whole company forward. As a result, Kiddimoto is the winner of the 2010 Somerset Small Business of the Year award.

Mark Hauser
Winning Moves, 25, Commercial and Licensing Manager

Hauser’s role at Winning Moves is split over a few areas including  looking after the licensing portfolio of the company; working with the sales and marketing team to help grow the US Top Trumps business and also in Spain. Hauser also works on Monopoly sales and marketing – co-managing four regional editions.

Lauren Green
Evolution PR, 23, Junior Account Manager

Organises the firm’s Practical Pre-school Awards, manages day-to-day running of small to medium PR accounts. Directly responsible to MD and assists with larger toy accounts.  

In the past three years she has worked with the directors and been a Girl Friday. Her eagerness to learn, organisational skills and ability to multi-task has allowed her to take on smaller accounts of her own.

Steven Russell
Jumbo Games, 24, Marketing Assistant

Helps the retail team to maximise sales through internet channels and various marketing activities.

Russell has worked incredibly hard in his first year at Jumbo and has increased sales through his dedication to creating strong online content. He also keeps the trade up to date with new products through catalogues, leaflets, advertising and newsletters.

Lindsay Pearl
Hasbro Europe, 34, International Licensing Director

Identifies and acquires licensing opportunities for toys, games and puzzles and drives the business.

Started her licensing career at the Beanstalk Group, managing the die cast and vehicles category and has since worked for Hit Entertainment and Cartoon Network. Pearl has a wealth of knowledge of, and strong relationships with, licensees and licensing agents. 

Natasha Murphy 
Margarete Steiff, 23, Area Sales Manager 

Represents the firm in London, home counties and the South East. She joined the company 18 months ago as a university graduate with no previous sales experience.
As a result of a restructure of the sales force earlier this year, Murphy took on the additional responsibility of some of the company’s larger accounts. The firm has now expanded its UK sales force and recruited a new graduate.

Heather Rowson
First International, 27, Marketing Manager

Responsible for the marketing strategy of HexBug, as well as Vex Robotics and RackSolutions. Rowson’s role includes developing and implementing an annual marketing plan and developing relationships with marketing agencies and media to create and deliver the correct marketing mix. 

Rowson has, within an extremely short time, become fully immersed in all aspects of the business.

David Strang
Wicked Vision, 38, Managing Director

Wicked Vision was founded solely by Strang and has grown rapidly since.  The company now claims to be the largest manufacturer and distributor of boomerangs. The boomerang range, Wicked Booma, is manufactured in the UK and exported worldwide (even Australia).

Hannah Mungo
Entertainment One, 30, Licensing Manager

Since joining eOne as licensing manager three and a half years ago. Mungo has been directly responsible for a business that has increased its turnover five-fold.

Her work on the Peppa Pig programme has trebled the number of licensees and seen the programme develop into one that attracts long term strategic partners.

Mungo also works on the Humf property, which has been broadcasting on Nick Junior for two years.