Zodiak Rights, the international division of Zodiak Media Group, has re-structured and expanded its UK Consumer Products team ahead of Brand Licensing Europe 2011.

Jane Kennedy, who previously held the position of Senior UK Licensing Manager, has been promoted to Head of Sales, Consumer Products (UK), Zodiak Rights, she will report into Jennifer Lawlor, SVP Strategy and Planning, Consumer Products (UK). In this new role Kennedy will be responsible for the UK-based Consumer Products sales team and will oversee the development and successful rollout of Zodiak Rights’ UK & international consumer products programs. Zodiak Rights’ UK Licensing Manager, Emily French Ullah will take up the new position of Licensing Manager, Softlines EMEA, working across all UK properties, Emily will seek out and appoint licensees across EMEA. Gaby Dior has been appointed International Licensing Manager, Agents. Dior will be responsible for managing Zodiak Rights (UK) agents worldwide. In this role she will work with appointed agents to develop local consumer products programs across all properties. Team coordinator Aidan Taylor-Gooby has been promoted to Junior Licensing Executive, reporting into Gaby Dior he will manage agents across territories including Middle East, Asia and Israel, as well as providing administrative support across the sales team.

As part of this new structure, two new positions have been created - Licensing Manager, Hardlines & Publishing EMEA, responsible for managing key categories including toys and publishing and Retail and Promotions Manager, who will focus on developing relationships with key retailers both in the UK and in Europe. In addition, this new position will build relationships with marketing and loyalty promotions agencies. Both positions will report into the UK Head of Sales.

The consumer products team work across all brands in the UK Zodiak Rights portfolio which includes– Waybuloo, Mister Maker, Little Princess, Yo Gabba Gabba, Simon’s Cat, Q-Piz and Being Human.

Jennifer Lawlor, SVP Strategy and Planning, Consumer Products (UK) comments: “This reorganization was the next step in evolving the team in order to grow and develop our international consumer products business. We already have a high calibre team in place and I am excited to be adding to this with the creation of two new positions. 2012 is shaping up to be pivotal year for Zodiak Rights’ Consumer Products. With an impressive number of successful properties on board, I look forward to working with the new team to not only develop these properties further, but to expand the portfolio with partners around the world.”