Malibu, California-based toymaker Jakks Pacific has promoted veteran toy industry executive Carmine Russo to president of its international division.

Russo joined Jakks Pacific International as its SVP in 2002 after Jakks acquired Toymax where Russo was the COO. He was most recently EVP of Jakks Pacific International, a position he attained in 2009.

In his new role, he will further grow Jakks business in international markets and increase product sales and distribution through new partnerships, licensing agreements, marketing and promotion of Jakks products in existing markets.

In his previous roles with Jakks, Russo helped bring the toyco’s brands to wider audiences outside North America developing licensing, marketing and retail partnerships with international toy companies around the world.