MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
In MCV’s weekly rundown of the hottest vacancies and latest personnel news, industry veteran Al King returns to games and we run through the best job opportunities.
WARGAMING.NET RECRUITS KING
The company behind online games such as World of Tanks and World of Warplanes has hired Al King as global brand director.
King returns to the industry after five years of working for technology firms and poker websites. Prior to this, he worked in marketing roles at Electronic Arts, Midway Games and 20th Century Fox.
I’m tremendously excited about returning to the games industry with one of the fastest growing and innovative companies in the online gaming sector,” he said. I grew up on tabletop wargaming and model making as a kid. These products are a dream to work with.”
TOP FIVE VACANCIES – week ending February 10th
via OPM Recruitment – Business Development Manager (EU) – Games – MMO
via OPM Recruitment – Human Resources Manager (EU) – Games – MMO
way-forward – Japanese Online Community Moderator
via Aardvark Swift – Junior Events Manager
For more vacancies, head toMCVUK.com/jobs.
PERSONNEL NEWS
Premier’s Cole moves to EML Wildfire
Harry Cole has joined the tech PR agency as account manager, handling clients such as Train2Game. He previously spent four years in the same role at Premier PR.
With my experience in entertainment, online, social media and video games PR, I think I’ll be a huge asset to the EML Wildfire team,” said Cole.
Dixons chief leads Apple retail team
John Browett, former CEO of Dixons Retail, is to leave the firm for a new role at Apple.
He will leave in April to take up his new position as senior vice president of retail for the iPhone and iPad manufacturer. His role at Dixons will be filled by current group operations director Sebastien James.
Browett has been chief executive of electronics retailer since 2007, and was instrumental in reviving the struggling firm. He will be in charge of managing Apple’s established retail strategy.
Apple is an exceptional company, and for me to sit inside a technology company like that and see how it works is really exciting,” he said. There is no other job in the UK or elsewhere that I would have wanted.”
In the last year, Apple has also poached high-profile talent from the games industry, including Nintendo’s Rob Saunders, Activision’s Nick Grange and most recently Microsoft’s Robin Burrowes.
Hirano heads up Konami Europe
Shinji Hirano has been named as Konami’s new head of European operations.
He was previously president of the publisher’s US label and takes over from Kunio Neo. His main responsibilities will be to institute [Konami’s] strategies” for key franchises Metal Gear Solid, Pro Evolution Soccer and Castlevania, as well as handling the firm’s mobile and social gaming and trading card businesses.
I am keen to support the diversity the European territories offer, and looking to ways our business can best support the different tastes and opportunities they possess,” Hirano said. Konami is a publisher with an enviable line-up of titles, and we will be making strides to ensure these titles gain the recognition they deserve.”
