Pokémon Company International is ramping up its licensing efforts following the recent launch of two video games and two apps, bringing industry veteran Monika Salazar into the fold as director of licensing.

With 15 years of management experience spanning marketing, lifestyle licensing and product development, Salazar will be tasked with curating a top-notch licensing program and extending the brand’s reach in the Americas, Australia and New Zealand. She will also help manage and develop key areas of the company’s merchandise licensing program, including sales, marketing, strategic planning and business development.

Previously Hasbro’s director of global integrated marketing, Salazar managed seven of the company’s priority accounts, most notably Transformers and My Little Pony. She also developed creative strategies for more than 10 brands, such as Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants, while with MTV Networks and Nickelodeon.

Pokémon Company International anticipates the 2014 fourth quarter launch of the Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire video games for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, as well the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online and the Camp Pokémon apps to generate additional licensing opportunities in both new and existing business channels.