Toronto, Canada-based Guru Studio has added Monika Sharma to the newly created position of director of marketing. The role was created to meet continued growth within the company’s production, sales, licensing and digital businesses, which has seen the staff grow to 230, a 53% increase from last year.

In the new position, Sharma will be responsible for developing long-term marketing strategies to support and promote Guru Studio’s commercial activities and client relationships, including international program distribution; production services; online game development; social media impact; expansion into licensing; and broadcaster relationships.

Reporting to VP Mary Bredin, Sharma will work closely with Guru’s creative, commercial and publicity teams to promote the eight animated series currently in production and development in Guru’s studio, as well as its own preschool series Justin Time (52 x 11). Now sold in over 75 countries, Sharma will specifically be tasked with facilitating the show’s extension into publishing, home entertainment, digital games and licensing. Additionally, she will work closely with broadcasters to ensure the series’ continued positive performance via transmedia platforms such as designated broadcaster mini-sites.

Prior to joining Guru Studio, she worked for two years at Studio Licensing, a consumer products and promotions entertainment agency that managed rights for top entertainment brands including Lalaloopsy, Peppa Pig, Tickety Toc, Cut the Rope, Elvis Presley and the NBA.