Aardman Announces Key Hires and Promotions in its Licensing BusinessAardman Announces Key Hires and Promotions in its Licensing Business

The new structure includes the appointment of licensing industry expert Susan Bolsover to the new role of senior licensing manager.

License Global

January 24, 2025

3 Min Read
Susan Bolsover and Alison Taylor, Aardman
Susan Bolsover and Alison TaylorAardman

Aardman has announced a new strategic focus on its licensing business. The new strategy and structure, spearheaded by Emma Hardie, executive commercial and brand director, Aardman, is a key part of Aardman’s brand and licensing division’s plans to maximize the impact and value of the studio’s IP around the world. 

Alison Taylor has been promoted to director, licensing and distribution, expanding her role to drive a more holistic strategy across the studio’s content sales and consumer products business. Taylor, who has been at Aardman for 20 years and has been director of distribution since 2020, is responsible for driving the financing, distribution and long-term content exploitation strategy for each brand and will now lead the licensing team to build on its impressive global licensing consumer products program. As part of this, Taylor has implemented a new licensing strategy, with a number of key appointments to support the roll out. The new structure includes the appointment of licensing industry expert Susan Bolsover to the new role of senior licensing manager. Bolsover will be responsible for day-to-day team-management, with a particular remit to further build on the current success of Aardman’s licensing business across Asia. She has been a licensee, agent and a licensor, most recently having set up her own licensing consultancy and agency, Lightbulb Licensing, prior to which she served as global licensing director, Penguin Random House for almost 10 years where she established the Penguin Ventures licensing team.  

Related:Chili's, A+E Networks to Release TV Special, Merch

Alongside the new leadership, the licensing team has been further bolstered by a number of promotions and new roles. Hannah McFarlane who has been with the studio for 10 years has been promoted to licensing manager, working with agents to develop the business across the U.K. and Germany, Ben Townsend continues as licensing approvals coordinator and two brand-new roles have been created to support the business. Ilona Sunderland joins Aardman (previously Hasbro –Peppa Pig and Moonbug – Cocomelon) as creative services and product development manager and will set and implement Aardman’s creative brand strategy and oversee product development and Harry Marchant is the studio’s new licensing and consumer product assistant. 

“Aardman’s success in the licensing space has been impressive, driven by the incredible demand from our fans and audiences,” says Emma Hardie, executive commercial and brand director, Aardman. “With such iconic and enduring brands, it has been a natural progression to expand our ambitions in this area. It’s a real priority for us, and I am thrilled to have such a fantastic team in place to help us grow, working with our brilliant agents and partners around the world. We can’t wait to bring even more exciting products to our fans.” 

Related:Funko Releases More ‘SNL’ Characters

“I’m excited to lead Aardman’s new licensing and consumer products team,” says Taylor. “It’s been incredibly rewarding to see our beloved brands come to life across a wide array of products and to witness the dedication and care taken to bring creative integrity in everything we do. I’m looking forward to building on the existing success of our consumer products program, with an incredible team in place and a series of exciting opportunities ahead, fueled by the studio’s upcoming tent-pole moments. With Susan’s exceptional experience and extensive network, I’m confident that under her team leadership, we’re poised for even greater success.” 

About the Author

License Global

License Global

License Global is the leading news source for the brand licensing industry, delivering award-winning editorial content including news, trends, analysis, and special reports about the global consumer product and retail marketplace.

Through its print edition, website, daily e-newsletter and event publications, License Global reaches more than 150,000 executives and professionals in all major markets. The magazine also serves as the official publication for the sector’s trade events, which include Licensing Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, France Licensing Day, Licensing for Retail, Licensing Expo Japan, Licensing Expo Shanghai and the Licensing Leadership Summit.

Subscribe for daily updates directly into your inbox.

 

 

 

Subscribe and receive the latest news from the industry Article
Join 62,000+ members. Yes, it's completely free.

You May Also Like