LA-based ZAG has recruited former Paramount Global exec Mark Kingston to spearhead the worldwide growth of its licensing business. 

As the company’s SVP of global consumer products, Kingston will oversee programs for all of ZAG’s IPs—including Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, Ghostforce and Melody—as well as promotions, gaming and location-based experiences. He’s based in London and will report to Julian Zag, the company’s EVP of global operations and head of consumer products. 

Kingston’s resume is filled with experience handling blue-chip kids brands, and he arrives at ZAG after an 11-year run at Paramount Global, where he directed the company’s CP business in EMEA, the UK and Australia as SVP of international consumer products. During this time, he worked with Nickelodeon franchises including Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Paw Patrol and Top Wing. Prior to that, Kingston worked in a variety of retail and marketing positions at Disney and the BBC. 

With its flagship property Miraculous surpassing more than US$1 billion in retail sales to date, ZAG is expanding its CP business to meet the growing demand from consumers for new products. Earlier in January, the company snapped up former Target exec Gaye Dean to oversee retail relationships as VP of retail development in North America. And ZAG Play’s toy division is set to roll out a new range of Miraculous products this fall that will include plush, surprise eggs, trading cards and a mini sewing machine.