UTV Ignition Entertainment - Justin Keeling
UTV Ignition Entertainment announced this past week that Justin Keeling has been named the global strategy and product head. He will be responsible for launching the organization's global digital strategy.
“Justin brings over 15 years’ experience of the media and video games industry to us,” said Hassan Sadiq, chairman of UTV Ignition Entertainment. “His unique global understanding, combined with his unparalleled gaming product knowledge, board level industry contacts, professionalism and hands-on approach to the industry, will enable us to develop a new generation of break-out digital products in an increasingly crowded online market.”
Keeling has worked as a technology editor for the BBC and sector consultant for Japanese investment banks. He later helped launch G4 Television, Comcast's national TV network dedicated to gaming and technology. Keeling was most recently at IGN, growing it in the U.K. to over five million unique monthly users, and was also on the senior management team for Fox Interactive Media and MySpace.
“UTV Ignition Entertainment is at a crucial point in its development and has the vision and drive to take on a global leadership position in the emerging generation of digital direct-to-user gaming,” commented Keeling. “Joining UTV Ignition Entertainment is a great opportunity for me to help drive the next level of best in class, made-for-digital content on multiple platforms, as the games industry moves away from a focus on number of titles sold, to sustainable models based around time spend and quality of engagement. We’re ready to invest in top tier talent and marketing to help create breakthrough titles for our development partners.”
ICO Partners - Julien Wera
ICO Partners announced recently that Julien Wera has been named to its EU-focused consultancy team as PR and Marketing Manager. In this role, he will expand ICO Partners’ media relations and promotional services throughout Europe.
"Adding Julien to our core team fits perfectly with our commitment to provide the best experts there are to our clients,” said Thomas Bidaux, ICO Partners CEO. “His deep expertise and his network of contacts are very precious, and will allow us to accommodate growing demand for these services, as more foreign publishers enter Europe and more independent studios choose to self-publish.”
Previously, Wera headed Marketing and PR for online games publisher Gala Networks Europe before moving to PopCap Games as PR Manager.
“Joining ICO Partners represents a great opportunity, as I can see a real and growing demand in the industry for outsourced marketing and PR services in the online gaming field,” says Wera. “I am very excited to join such an experienced team, and apply my expertise to develop ICO Media and provide the best possible service to our clients.”
Slingo - Rich Roberts
Recently, Slingo announced that Rich Roberts has been named CEO. Sal Falciglia Sr., the owner and founder, will step down from the role.
"After 16 years as the CEO of Slingo, Inc., I am happy to pass the torch to Rich [Roberts] and I am excited to have someone with his experience and talents to lead the company in its next stage of growth," said Falciglia.
Roberts has over two decades of experience in the distribution and development of quality branded entertainment He worked on several of the first titles that embraced social media integration into downloadable games for Atari and Hasbro Games. Roberts was most recently at PlayFirst, where, as vice president of business development and sales, he grew the foundling company through branded entertainment and distribution.
"Rich is the perfect addition to the executive team at Slingo and we are excited to have him as part of the team," said Eric Lamendola, general manager of Slingo, Inc. "His knowledge and expertise in high-quality digital branded entertainment will allow him to create and execute a strategic vision that supports all of our platforms and cross-media endeavors."
"Slingo, Inc. is a mark of excellence in branded entertainment within the games industry and has fifteen years of experience in delivering fun community-based games," said Roberts. "Slingo, Inc. is a company that has successfully delivered content across every media from online, to casinos, to television and holds one of the few brands that are consistently successful on every platform."
M2 Research - Billy Pidgeon
This past week, M2 Research announced that Billy Pidgeon has been hired. He will be a senior analyst for the company, providing an in-depth overview of the games market’s diverse sectors.
Pidgeon has 22 years of experience in the games industry in market research and games production. He has authored extensive syndicated and custom research reports, as well as advised some of the industry’s top executive management teams. Pidgeon has experience at Jupiter Media Metrix, covering interactive entertainment, digital audio and video, user interfaces, software tools networking and 3D technology. Prior to joining M2 Research, Pidgeon was the Research Manager for the Games at IDC.
Tamara Sanderson – D3Publisher
Tamara Sanderson revealed this past week that she is leaving D3Publisher. She will instead work in public relations for Disney Interactive.
The Guildhall - Two New Faculty Members
The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University announced that they have hired two new faculty members. Michael Mancuso and Jani Kajala will teach level design and game engine design respectively starting in August.
“We are extremely pleased to have Jani and Mick join our team,” said Dr. Peter Raad, founder and executive director of The Guildhall at SMU. “They both possess the expertise and unique backgrounds that complement our over-arching mission, which is to offer students not only a curriculum that is industry-driven, but also a rich, relevant experience that better prepares them for excellence in the real world.”
Kajala helped launch Pixelgene, which was acquired in 2006 by Rovio Mobile. He's worked on 3D-technology development, web services, mobile games and multi-touch systems software, developing games like Max Payne, Thrust, Twist’n’Turn, Sega Rally Revo and Need for Speed Carbon.
Mancuso has worked in gaming for over two decades in design and production. He helped make Mech Warrior 3, and he worked on franchises like Lord of the Rings, Command and Conquer, Star Trek and 7th Legion. Mancuso also brings extensive experience in the design and production of training games for the United States Army, Singapore Armed Forces and the FDIC.
SCE UK - Kerri West
MCV reported this past week that Kerri West will be joining SCE UK as a product manager. She will oversee social games like SingStar, Buzz and PlayStation Move games.
“I’m really excited to join Sony,” commented West. “I can’t wait to get started on my first titles.”
West previously worked at EA for three years, most recently as product manager for The Sims franchise.
Hansoft - Michael Wynne
Hansoft announced recently that it has hired Michael Wynne. He will be their User Interface Engineer.
Wynne has extensive tools and software development expertise. Wynne built and ran the tools department at game developer Starbreeze and subsequently co-founded Machinegames.
Square Enix – Mike Fischer
Square Enix announced recently the appointment of Mike Fischer as CEO of its U.S. Division, Square Enix, Inc. Check out the full story here.
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