Penguin Ventures welcomes Jess Houston as Senior Category Manager, UK Hardlines

Penguin Ventures has welcomed Jess Houston to the team as Senior Category Manager, UK Hardlines.

Houston joins from Aardman Animations and will report to Commercial Director David Sprei. Her role will include responsibility for growing the UK Hardlines business across the Penguin Ventures’ portfolio of 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,” said 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.”

Houston added: “I am hugely excited to join Penguin Ventures. The character brands are personal favourites of mine. They are classic but still extremely relevant and it’s going to be an honour 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.”