London’s Magic Light Pictures has promoted three team members from its brand and licensing departments into new executive roles.

Aidan Taylor-Gooby (pictured middle) moves up from licensing manager to head of licensing, and he will now oversee the studio’s consumer products, brand partnerships and live experiences. Before joining the company in 2017, Taylor-Gooby developed licensing campaigns at Zodiak Rights (now Banijay Rights) for Banijay Kids preschool shows including Waybuloo and Little Princess.

Alexandra Sanson (pictured left) has been elevated to senior brand manager and will continue to develop partnerships for key brand The Gruffalo, which has spawned an expansive consumer products program. Sanson has been working across the product development, licensing and marketing divisions at Magic Light since 2013.

Bridie Gibbs (pictured right) will now vet all new consumer products for quality and brand authenticity in her new role as product development manager. Gibbs joined Magic Light in 2018 and previously worked as a product development executive for art and lifestyle brands such as Gorjuss.

Meanwhile, brand director Daryl Shute will be leaving the company after 16 years to explore new opportunities. Taylor-Gooby, Sanson and Gibbs are essentially splitting his responsibilities in their new roles and will report to joint managing directors Martin Pope and Michael Rose.

Magic Light’s portfolio of short animated films includes The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, The Snail and the Whale and Room on the Broom. And the studio signed UK-based toyco Wow! Stuff as the master toy partner for all of its brands in July 2020.