LA-based toymaker Skyrocket is growing its operations in the UK with the appointment of Amy Saunders as GM for the region. Starting her new role today, Saunders will establish Skyrocket brands in the UK, working to increase sales and streamline demand for the toyco’s products.

Saunders joins Skyrocket from Bandai UK, where she served as a sales manager for 18 years. Skyrocket began directly liaising with retailers in the UK earlier this year as part of its ongoing efforts to expand globally, following the success of its Pomsies toys that launched last year.

The range, which features kitten-like creatures boasting a tail that can twist and lock around wrists, belt loops or backpacks, was inspired by the trend of pom-poms found on purses, jackets and keychains. The wearable tech toy launched hot on the heels of the Untamed Fingerlings line from Canadian toyco WowWee. The wearable, interactive velociraptors joined previous Fingerlings lineups, which include monkeys, sloths and unicorns.

Pomsies was a finalist in the 2019 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards, the range was named one of Amazon’s top toys for the 2018 holiday and was also part of the expanded inventory covered by Walmart’s new America’s Best Toy Shop branding. The new branding saw the retailer grow its inventory of kids playthings by 30% in store and 40% online. 

In 2019 Skyrocket is gearing up for the summer launch of Blume (pictured), a line of dolls that sprout out of planters like flowers, and expanding its Pomsies range with the music-focused Pomsies Lumies line.