Aardman builds Brand and Licensing team with two senior hires

Aardman has announced the appointment of Kenny England in the newly created role of Director of Digital, Social, and Communities, and Amy Pearson as Director of Marketing.

Reporting to Executive Commercial and Brand Director, Emma Hardie, England and Pearson will further strengthen Aardman’s commitment to growing their digital ambitions and beloved brands’ engagement around the world.

Kenny England joins as Director of Digital, Social and Communities. He will lead a new integrated digital strategy across Aardman’s social, YouTube and FAST channels. This leadership role will be key to Aardman’s drive in the creative development and production of digital first content. As a leading voice of digital content across the studio, he will be responsible for ensuring all digital activities align with the wider content and brand plans, driving engagement and reach across platforms.

England brings extensive experience producing content for market-leading programmes and platforms. Most recently, England held the position of Head of Creative Branding & Digital at Lifted Entertainment, where he oversaw all social and digital strategy and output for channel-defining series including Love Island, I’m a Celebrity, Dancing on Ice and more. Prior to Lifted, he led digital and social teams at BBC Studios and ITV, creating, producing and delivering digital content plans for Top Gear, BBC Earth and The Voice.

Pearson’s role as Director of Marketing will be responsible for the strategic direction of all Aardman’s brands. She will have oversight of global brand strategy plans for all of Aardman's intellectual property, working closely with stakeholders from across the studio as well as external partners. Pearson will also oversee the marketing and publicity teams driving a common vision for all of Aardman’s brands.

Pearson joins the studio with over 20 years of experience in brand marketing and communications, leading award-winning teams and campaigns across a portfolio of entertainment brands and IPs including Peppa Pig, Postman Pat, as well as Cartoon Network programmes such as Power Puff Girls and Adventure Time. Pearson also led the consumer and corporate marketing and PR strategies for Beano Studios, twice winning Campaign’s Marketing Team of the Year. Most recently she worked at DK Books as Brand Director.

Pearson takes up the role following the departure of Lucy Wendover, who has worked in Aardman’s Brands & Licensing team since 2000. Most recently, Wendover oversaw the delivery of the brand and marketing strategies for Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, which was aired on BBC One on Christmas Day and has recently been reported to have broken records with the latest 28 day viewing data confirming that the film has reached a staggering 21.6 million viewers. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl has been nominated for three BAFTAs and an Academy Award®.

Kenny England commented: “Joining Aardman is a dream come true and, for me, a full-circle moment, having started out studying animation at college. I have always held immense respect for Aardman’s incredible work and have been a longtime fan of their world-renowned brands. After over a decade of experience in the entertainment and broadcast industry, I’m thrilled to work for such a prestigious and globally recognised company and I'm ready to embrace this exciting new challenge."

Amy Pearson commented: “Aardman has always been the north star for creative animated content and I’m incredibly excited to join such a successful, iconic and Oscar nominated studio! It is a pivotal time for the company and its brands, with many interesting projects on the near horizon – I can’t wait to be part of the amazing Aardman team.”

Emma Hardie commented: “Kenny and Amy are both shining lights in their respective spheres. Their creativity, passion for what they do and success in bringing great brands to global audiences make them a perfect fit for Aardman. A huge thank you too, to Lucy Wendover for her amazing marketing and brand leadership over the last 25 years. Aardman’s characters and brands have grown significantly over that time, and with Amy and Kenny joining for our next phase of growth, I am really excited for what the future holds.”