Aurora World announces several executive promotions

The plush toy and gift manufacturer has promoted team members to executive vice president and senior vice president of sales.

Aurora World Inc., a global manufacturer of plush toys and high-quality gift products based in Pico Rivera, California, has promoted two employees to new executive positions. The company has promoted Michael Kessler to executive vice president and Tony Sayles to senior vice president of sales.

Kessler began his career in 1984 with Russ Berrie & Co. as a sales rep. Over the course of his 21-year tenure, he advanced through leadership roles and ultimately served as the company’s senior vice president of sales. He later joined MMPI at the LA Mart as president/general manager before joining Aurora World in 2008 as senior vice president of sales and marketing.

Since joining Aurora World in 2008 as its senior vice president of sales and marketing, Kessler has been instrumental in driving revenue growth and expanding the company’s market presence. The company says his approach to sales, marketing, licensing and product development has played a key role in positioning Aurora World for long-term success. Prior to his time with Aurora World, Kessler began his career at Russ Berrie & Co. as a sales rep in 1984 and worked through various roles at that company for 21 years. He later joined MMPI at the LA Mart as president/general manager as well.

In his new role as executive vice president, Kessler will assume broader executive responsibilities, helping to drive company-wide strategies while continuing to lead sales and marketing efforts.

“I look forward to working with CEO Henry Gweon and Senior Vice President of Sales Tony Sayles to further elevate the Aurora brand, support the company’s long-term vision, scale core business initiatives and grow our presence across both new and existing markets,” says Kessler.

With Kessler’s promotion, Sayles will step into the role of senior vice president of sales. He joined Aurora in 2009 and has helped the company grow with national accounts. Aurora World says Sayles helped to expand the company’s distribution channels, upgrade sales infrastructure and transform national accounts from nonexistent to a major part of the company’s portfolio. Prior to his time at Aurora World, Sayles began his sales career in the consumer products industry with RJR Nabisco before transitioning to the gift and toy industry with Dakin/Applause. In 2001, he also joined Russ Berrie & Co. as managing director of sales for Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

“It’s a privilege to step into this expanded role at such an exciting time for Aurora and continue to work closely with CEO Henry Gweon and Executive Vice President Michael Kessler to grow Aurora even further,” says Sayles. “We have incredible momentum as a company, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with our talented team to build on our legacy, strengthen partnerships and seize new opportunities for growth.”