Penguin Ventures Taps Jess Houston for U.K. Hardlines Business

Penguin Ventures, the licensing and consumer products team within Penguin Random House Children’s UK, has announced the appointment of Jess Houston as senior category manager, U.K. hardlines.

Houston, who joins Penguin Ventures from Aardman Animations, will report to David Sprei, commercial director, and will be responsible for growing the U.K. hardlines business across the Penguin Ventures’ portfolio of literary children’s brands, including The World of Peter Rabbit, The World of Eric Carle, The World of The Snowman, “Flower Fairies” and Fun with Spot.

“Jess brings a wealth of licensing expertise to the team, and I am so excited that she shares a passion for our wonderful literary portfolio,” says Sprei. “I have no doubt Jess will bring energy and a strategic mindset to the hardlines category and we are all looking forward to working with her. I am impressed by her extensive industry experience and knowledge, gained by working with some of the best-in-class licensees in the business and am certain Jess will be a huge asset to the Penguin Ventures team as she starts this new adventure.”

“I am hugely excited to join Penguin Ventures,” says Houston. “The character brands are personal favorites of mine. They are classic but still extremely relevant and it’s going to be an honor to represent them in the hardlines space. I’m looking forward to connecting with the wider Penguin Ventures team members, licensees and partners. I’ll be bringing my enthusiasm, experience of licensing and creativity to the role.”

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