My role primarily covers all aspects of product development and marketing within the Craft and Doll categories, including management of our Disney Princess licensed craft range, plus brand development on Fuzzy Felt, Tiny Tears and Girls World. This involves:• Management of category development, from creative brief to delivery - Strategic development plans for each category - Working directly with factories to source and develop product - Cost engineering to ensure target retail price points are met, for successful and profitable launch to market - Working with designers on packaging to ensure a clear and consistent message for each brand• Actively seeking out new licensing opportunities for our core range of product - Creating pitch presentations and business proposals - Working closely with licensors (such as Disney and Hasbro) to ensure that all products and marketing activity meet their brand guidelines• Supporting the senior sales team with seasonal Product Previews - Creating detailed product presentations and organising mock-up samples for selections - Attending previews with major accounts (Argos, Tesco, TRU, Asda and Sainsbury) to explain and demonstrate products where required - Processing feedback to make any necessary product tweaks before launching production • Management of supporting marketing communications; Social Media, Toy Fair, press events, sales literature, catalogues, development of a new website and managing external design agencies

Beach Beau stocks a fantastic range of bikinis, beachwear and accessories from leading surf brands, including O'Neill, Animal, Billabong and Protest...In 2008 I decided to create my own online retail business in my spare time. This involved researching my chosen market, developing a full business plan, getting buy-in from leading brand suppliers and securing financial backing banks.I then developed the actual website using content management software, selected stock based on latest fashion trends and put a full marketing and promotional plan into place. This was a fantastic and valuable experience that has given me complete insight into the full range of issues that businesses face.

Cesar UK is part of the European César Group; one of the largest suppliers of licensed costumes, dress-up, and play-environment products, turning over €45m annually. I was fully responsible for the day-to-day running and decision making of the UK marketing department, with full control of the marketing budget. Main duties included: • Development of strategic business / marketing plans for each UK product category • Attending European product meetings at HQ in France, providing feedback on UK market needs• Selecting and specifying a product range for the UK, ensuring correct positioning and pricing• Involvement in key account management and development of exclusive products (Toys R Us, Argos)• Management of all UK product development, including packaging, from creative brief through to delivery - working directly with factories, designers and technical teams - costing all product, working from target retail price point, to ensure successful and profitable launch to market• Working closely with licensors (such as Marvel and BBC) to ensure that all products and marketing activity meet their brand guidelines• Development of all UK sales literature, product catalogues, price lists and website • Implementation of PR and advertising campaigns, managing external design agencies• Management of events and exhibitions

The Burall Group provides bespoke printed packaging, labelling & promotional solutions for FMCG brand owners and retailers, such as M&S, Tesco, Kinnerton, Boots and Mellor Beauty. Here, I undertook a varied role, being involved in the agency side of the business, attending meetings with clients, generating concepts and testing via focus groups, market research & analysis, development of strategic marketing plans, marketing budget control, organising and producing publicity materials, creating a new website, organising advertising campaigns, organisation of events and exhibitions.

Responsibilities included implementing the marketing plan, ensuring that marketing activities were completed on time and to budget. I was also responsible for the creation and execution of a new corporate identity.

10 months of voluntary part time work as a general assistant in all aspects of radio work, including advertising, planning, promotions and production.