Zodiak Rights, the international division of Zodiak Media Group, is delighted to announce the appointment of Jennifer Lawlor as SVP Strategy and Planning, Consumer Products.

She will be the company’s first SVP Strategy and Planning and joins with a wide-ranging remit to devise and oversee the implementation of Zodiak Rights and Zodiak Kids’ CP and brand strategy across its entire UK portfolio. She will oversee the global roll-out of key brands such as Waybuloo (licensed to more than 80 countries worldwide), Tic Toc House (WT) for Nickelodeon US and Mister Maker the CBeebies Arts and Craft show. She will also have a responsibility for ensuring the consumer products success for future commissions, co-productions and acquisitions from Zodiak Rights and Zodiak Kids. Jennifer joins Zodiak Rights from MTV/ Nickelodeon Consumer Products where she held the position of Vice President, Emerging Markets & Business Development, EMEA (London). Jennifer was responsible for running Nickelodeon’s Consumer Products business in emerging markets and overseeing their international business development including third party acquisitions. Jennifer has been at Nickelodeon since 2008 and worked across key television and CP properties such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, iCarly and South Park.

Prior to joining Nickelodeon, Jennifer was Vice President, Marketing & Licensing (New York) for 4Kids Entertainment where she was responsible for a wide range of CP programmes for properties including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Dog & Dinosaur King. Jennifer managed all US licensees for the properties and worked with key US retailers such as Wal-Mart and K-Mart to maximize CP shelf space. Jennifer first joined 4Kids in 2002 as International Marketing Director and during her tenure worked across the entire 4Kids portfolio including Pokemon, Yu-Gi-OH and Nintendo.

Jennifer joins Zodiak Rights later this month, reporting into CEO Mathew Frank. Her first key market will be the Licensing International Expo in Las Vegas next month.

Matthew Frank said: “Jennifer is an absolute key hiring for us as we grow and develop our consumer products business in both the kids and non-kids areas. Her knowledge and experience of rolling out global brands is second to none and I know she will be a major asset to us just as the Zodiak portfolio of brands is expanding so rapidly.”

Jennifer Lawlor said: “This is an exciting time in the evolution of Zodiak Rights. I'm thrilled to be joining such a high caliber team and to develop the CP programmes for Zodiak's quality properties with partners around the world.”