By: Cole Watson and Ryan Tuchow
- Hasbro has hired gaming industry veteran John Hight (pictured) to replace Cynthia Williams as president of its Wizards of the Coast and digital gaming division. Williams left the toyco in April to join collectibles giant Funko as CEO. Hight is coming off a 12-year run at Blizzard Entertainment, where he oversaw the iconic online role-playing game World of Warcraft as GM. In his new role, he will head up business strategy for the company’s Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering games, as well as hunting for new opportunities in tabletop games and digital experiences and managing Hasbro’s network of gaming studios and digital licensing agreements.
- About a year into her gig as managing director of kids at Wind Sun Sky, Jo Redfern has left the Vancouver-based studio in order to return to consulting. Redfern tells Kidscreen she’s in talks with companies looking to build fandoms in the worlds of sports and gaming (Roblox). Prior to joining Wind Sun Sky in July 2023, she worked as global head of brand at prodco 24 Watts (Cozmo & Friends). Wind Sun Sky hired Linton Chokie and Mohith Kumar earlier this year as part of its leadership transition plan. These new execs have responsibility for filling the gap between the company’s digital and channel strategies and brand partnerships, and also for building out its brand portfolio beyond Future Chicken.