Page 31 - Toy & Hobby Retailers Magazine Feb-Apr 2020
P. 31

Live Pets including Bird, Turtle, Snuggles
and most recently the launch of Bluey.
• Allbrands(exceptBlueywhichhasjustlaunched)
have achieved top 10 in their category in launch year and had over three-year life cycles (some now heading into their seventh year)
Ambition
Khia’s current role as Marketing Manager of Australia is a testament to her tenacity to always try new ways to market and develop product and her desire to create a vision her team and those around her can follow with confidence. Khia's ambition is quiet, but her career to date illustrates the amazing success she has had going from an Assistant Brand Manager to leading a strong, Australian team.
Leadership
From our directors down, Khia’s opinion is sought out and trusted. She is a true believer that a leader should empower and display empathy – and that is why she has been so successful in demonstrating strong leadership capabilities since the moment she joined Moose seven years ago.
Standing in industry
Khia joined Moose before the Shopkins boom. She was one of a handful in the marketing team and her presence was felt immediately upon joining. Since becoming the MM for Domestic, Khia has built strong relations with all key independent and major retail partners across marketing and buying functions.
Innovation/initiative
In the development of Moose IP, Khia is a critical member of the ideation sessions – capturing not only emerging trends but sensing opportunities outside of toys to help innovate existing lines or create new ones. Her initiative to challenge the current media landscape to seek a more efficient, fun and engaging moment for kids has shown tremendous opportunity.
SAMANTHA ATKINSON
General Manager of Marketing and Product Development – Bensons Trading
Culture/colleague empathy
Respected and adored by all of her office and warehouse colleagues, Samantha has a kind nature and infectious sense of humour that brings
her colleagues together (office and warehouse), to continue a healthy balance of fun and business within the workplace.
Teamwork
Samantha is an exceptional communicator, shesharesherwealthandknowledgetoallfacets of the business clearly and confidently, but most importantly her strength is taking the time to listen others. She encourages and coaches her colleagues on their strengths and grows their personal and professional qualities.
Financial performance
As General Manager of Marketing and Product Development Samantha is responsible to deliver cost control across the business unit in line with monthly budgets. Samantha sits in on monthly board meetings and contributes to the overall direction of the business.
Ambition
Samantha is a strong, independent, determined woman, both inside and outside of work. She is constantly setting goals for herself and others and striving to achieve them. We have no doubt in coming years Sam will be the CEO of Bensons Trading.
Leadership
Samantha doesn't take her position as a part
of the leadership team for granted, she is
always grounded and distinguishes herself as
her colleagues. Her leadership skills and team management come organically and is reflected by her drive, self-reliance, integrity and confidence.
Standing in industry
Working her way up in the family business Samantha has accumulated a breadth of knowledge of the toy industry from carnival to retail. From
her first position as retail staff at the royal shows
to product development, marketing and event coordinating, wholesale and distribution and managing of mass retail Samantha has contributed 15 years in the industry.
Innovation/initiative
'Visionary' best describes Samantha. Whether
it be for product development or new business opportunities Sam is constantly seeking, thinking and acting on new opportunities to ensure that we remain relevant and evolve with current developments, to improve and diversify to expand the business further.
LEANNE PAPADOPOULOS
My Creative Box – Owner
Culture/colleague empathy
Leanne is a fantastic business leader who always aims to foster a workplace culture of openness and empathy. She always ensures her team are looked after,
their needs are met and ensures we all understand the purpose of My Creative Box.
Teamwork
Leanne has created a real community atmosphere at My Creative Box. We are all encouraged to contribute and share our ideas for the business and provide candid feedback when required. She has developed a team- centric culture where we all feel like we have a place and voice in all decisions.
Financial performance
Leanne has single-handedly bootstrapped her business with no debt and a couple
of thousand dollars of investment to sales of over $1 million in under three years.
She has built a gift and monthly subscription box business with customers spanning the globe. The lifetime value of her customer and cost per acquisition metrics are profitable from the first purchase and she has been able to leverage her Instagram following of over
25K to grow her business.
Ambition
The ambition Leanne has for the business from day one has always been global. She has incorporated the business in Australia and secured registered trademarks for her brand and is in the process of registering the same trademarks in the United States in anticipation of a launch in the short term to get close to a key market where demand is very strong.
Leadership
Leanne has managed to do what she’s
done whilst being a mother of three children, carrying herself in a professional manner that we all appreciate. Even under the most pressurised scenarios, she manages to cut through all issues and keep us
all aligned and working to the goals of the business.
Standing in industry
Leanne has been featured in articles and has established a strong relationship with large Australian mum influencers. Leanne has also collected over 500 customer testimonial reviews of her products that can be viewed on her website.
Innovation/initiative
Leanne’s innovation and creative streak has been evident from day one when she went looking for ways to bring hands-on creativity into the home. Her initiative in this space is evident being Australia’s first subscription box incorporating structured early learning and development through art, craft and hands-on creative projects for kids. ❉
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