MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
Here are the highlights from the recent industry hires and moves, as published in MCV’s July issue.
Marketing agency Heaven Media has made a few appointments. Brian Joyce has joined the firm as global accounts director. Joyce has over 25 years’ experience in sales and marketing and has contributed to the growth of major brands including Alienware and Dell. Joining after ten years at Razer is Darren Roberts, as new business development manager. He also has previous experiences at AMD and Nvidia. Last but not least, Heaven Media has a new head of events in the form of Darryl Flinders, who has 25 years of experience in running global marketing campaigns and events.
MD Mark Reed said: “Expanding our team allows us to provide our clients with a range of services which are tightly targeted, engaging and results orientated.”
James Ruiz McNerney and Megan Garrett have joined the Genba Digital team.
Ruiz McNerney previously worked on retail compliance at Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe – he joined the firm as business development manager. Meanwhile, Garrett was previously at Activision Blizzard as a digital account associate and has been appointed commercial manager.
Both will be based at Genba Digital’s new London office.
Eurogamer’s video producer of nearly five years Aoife Wilson has been promoted to head of video at the publication. In her new role, she will lead a “soft reboot” of the channel alongside video producer Ian Higton.
This follows the departure of senior video producer Johnny Chiodini for Gamer Network’s new tabletop games publication, which hadn’t been named at the time of writing. He’ll be the new brand’s head of video.
John Vignocchi has left Gearbox less than a year after joining the studio as executive producer. The former Disney Infinity VP has moved on for a “dream opportunity” to work with Nintendo of America to drive developer and publisher relations.
Vignocchi commented on Twitter: “I plan to help continue the tradition of building memories through Nintendo that will last a lifetime. I certainly have a lifetime of them already and can’t wait to make more.”
Electronic Arts has appointed Samantha Ebelthite as its new UK and Ireland country manager. Ebelthite takes the reins from Shaun Campbell, who has been moved into an alternate, and unspecified, position at the time of writing, after almost five years leading the company’s UK activities.
Ebelthite joined the publisher in February 2018 as head of sales for UK and Ireland and was promoted to country manager in May 2019. Before joining EA, Ebelthite held various positions at pharmaceutical company GSK.
Sumo Digital has announced the hire of Gary Edwards as studio director of its Nottingham premises. Previously production director, and with Sumo since 2005, he has played a key role in the company’s growth. He will now lead Sumo Nottingham, which was founded in 2016.
Sumo Digital’s MD Gary Dunn commented: “I am delighted that Gary is taking the helm in Nottingham. He’s been with Sumo for 14 years and has been responsible for delivering some of our most significant work; it’s great to give him the career opportunity he deserves.”
