Appoints Jacqui Webster as GM

TORONTO, April 28, 2016 /CNW/ - Spin Master Corp. ("Spin Master" or the "Company") (TSX: TOY), a leading global children's entertainment company, has announced the formation of an Australian subsidiary Spin Master Australia (Pty) Ltd.

Spin Master Australia will begin trading in 2017 and will assume distribution for the majority of the Company's brands for Australia. 

"Australia presents a strong growth opportunity for Spin Master and we're excited to be expanding our network of regional business offices," said Ben Gadbois, President and COO, Spin Master Ltd. "One of our core growth strategies is to continue to grow our international sales. Our new Australian subsidiary is an important step toward this goal," he added.

Based on NPD data, Spin Master was the fourth largest toy, games and entertainment company in North America in 2015 and ranks in the top 10 globally based on Euromonitor data. The Company's brands include Zoomer, Bunchems, Air Hogs, Meccano and PAW Patrol, the worldwide phenomenon, which was recently awarded the Toy & Hobby Retailer Industry Awards 2015 License of the Year and the Australian Toy Association's Preschool License of the Year for 2016.

Spin Master has distributed product in Australia and New Zealand for over fifteen years. "We value our distribution partners in Australia and are working together to ensure a smooth and collaborative transition," said Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Anton Rabie.

Overseeing business operations will be Jacqui Webster, recently appointed as General Manager, Australia and New Zealand, reporting into Derek Seidewand, VP International Sales. Prior to joining Spin Master, Webster held senior roles with Hasbro, Mattel, Paramount Pictures and several international consumer packaged goods companies. "Jacqui's effective leadership and deep knowledge of the children's toy and entertainment industries have prepared her to lead the Australian office in a time of continued success, growth and transformation for Spin Master," said Seidewand.

Spin Master Australia will be based in Sydney, NSW, and a warehouse location will be finalized in the coming months.

About Spin Master
Spin Master is a leading global children's entertainment company that creates, designs, manufactures and markets a diversified portfolio of innovative toys, games, products and entertainment properties. Spin Master is best known for award-winning brands including Zoomer™ Dino, Bakugan Battle Brawlers™, Air Hogs^®, and 2015 Toys of The Year, Bunchems and Meccanoid G15. Since 2005, Spin Master has received 63 TIA Toy of The Year (TOTY) nominations with 16 wins across a variety of product categories. Spin Master has been recognized with 12 TOTY nominations for Innovative Toy of the Year, more than any of its competitors. Spin Master is among a limited number of companies that not only develop and produce global entertainment properties, characters and content, but also monetize that content through the creation, sale and licensing of products. To date, Spin Master has produced five television series, including 2007 hit series Bakugan Battle Brawlers and its current hit Paw Patrol, which is broadcast in over 160 countries and territories globally. Spin Master employs over 1000 people globally with offices in Canada, United States, France, Italy, United Kingdom, Slovakia, Germany, the Netherlands, Mexico, China, Hong Kong, Japan and Australia.

SOURCE Spin Master Corp.