Licensing veteran Cynthia Money joins the Taffy Ent. team as president, worldwide consumer products, to build the consumer awareness and innovative marketing platforms for all of the companys award-winning brands. Money will be based in Los Angeles.
Taffy Ent., the brand management company for leading childrens and animation company MoonScoop in France and U.S.-based animation studio Mike Young Productions (MYP), is committed to building well managed merchandising and marketing programs, as well as full creative development in support of retail presence for its properties.
This appointment follows hot on the heels of the establishment of a U.K. office and the appointment of leading European licensing veteran Louise OToole as its md, who joined Taffys U.S. vp of licensing Eric Stein and Paris-based marketing manager Sebastien Fillion on the licensing and marketing team.
Marketing and consumer products is a key focus for us and it was imperative to appoint someone with extensive experience and a strong track record," said MoonScoop Group ceo Axel Dauchez. "Were delighted to welcome Cynthia, who is the perfect addition to the team. Her strong results oriented experience and enthusiastic personal style will be invaluable to our business, as we look to solidify the presence of our programming brands in all of the commercial arenas around the world.
Cynthia has a vision for the way that programming and consumer products can complement one another, as well as the proven management skills to execute that vision," commented according to MYP/Taffy co-ceos Mike Young and Bill Schultz. "With her addition, we have a team of the highest caliber in place which will spearhead our growth as we take the business on to an exciting new level and provide the highest level of service for our partners.
A 20-year vet with senior level experience in licensing, marketing and intellectual property development; Money was vp at VIZ Media, where she was responsible for all licensing, marketing, merchandising and retail development activities in the U.S. and Canada for the VIZ consumer products group.
Under her leadership, the group quadrupled revenues. She developed and established licensing programs for the groups growing roster of leading media properties, including SHONEN JUMP NARUTO (Cartoon Network), and was instrumental in developing an exclusive retail promotion with HOT TOPIC.
In addition, Cynthia managed successful merchandising programs for brands, such as INUYASHA (Cartoon Network), DEKO BOKO FRIENDS (Nickelodeon), SONIC X (4Kids TV), SONIC and ZATCH BELL! (Cartoon Network), with an active roster of more than 100 licensees.
Her first priorities will be to manage key brands, such as CODE LYOKO, TODDWORLD (U.K. & FRANCE), TITEUF and PET ALIEN, as well as strategizing the launches of brand new properties MIX MASTER: KING OF CARDS, SAM-SAM, DIVE OLLY DIVE!, GROWING UP CREEPIE and I GOT A ROCKET!. Other key titles in Taffys distribution library include THE FANTASTIC FOUR, JAKERS! THE ADVENTURES OF PIGGLEY WINKS and DOCTOR DOG.
Taffy Ent. (www.taffyentertainment.com) is the worldwide distribution, brand management and family entertainment company owned and operated jointly by well-known animation producers Mike Young Prods. (MYP) and Moon Scoop, as well as select properties from third parties. With offices in Paris, Los Angeles and London, the company has production, distribution and licensing facilities, as well as a library that includes more than 2,800 half hours of animation. Its series are seen on leading broadcast networks in over 160 countries around the world.
