Vivid Imaginations seeks marketing chief

Vivid Imaginations is looking for a marketing director to build on its position as the UK’s third-largest toy company.

Vivid Imaginations has been without a marketing director since Andy Cooper left in August last year (MW August 15, 2002). His job was split between Chris Jones and Barlie Kidwell.

Vivid Imaginations has doubled its UK market share over the past three years. Last month, the company underwent a &£62m management buyout, which the company believes will strengthen its position against rivals Mattel and Hasbro.

Last year, Vivid Imaginations overtook Hasbro to become the UK’s top boys’ toys manufacturer. The company is now trying improve its position in the girls’ toy market, through a relaunch of Care Bears (MW August 22, 2002).

In December, Vivid Imaginations moved into the educational pre-school market, through a licensing agreement with US educational toy maker Neurosmith. Last month, the toy company announced plans to launch a McDonald’s McFlurry Maker this summer (MW March 6).

Since leaving Vivid Imaginations, Cooper has been acting as a marketing consultant. Next week, he begins a new job as marketing director for World’s Apart, which sells children’s kites, tents and play structures.