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To keep you up to date with the latest movers and shakers in the mobile games industry, we’ve put together a regular roundup of the latest hires, promotions and, in some cases, exits.
If you’ve recently joined a company or bagged a big promotion, or you’re an employer that’s just made a hire, drop us an email at news@pocketgamer.biz, and we can include it in our weekly update.
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Emily Greer joins 1Up Ventures as venture partner
Former Kongretate and Double Loop Games founder and CEO Emily Greer has joined VC group 1Up Ventures as a venture partner. The team already includes general partner Ed Fries, partner and community builder Kelly Wallick, and fund administrator Chris Wheaton.
“On the journey with Double Loop Games we were lucky to have 1Up as an early investor, and I loved the community-centric model,” said Greer in a LinkedIn post.
“Founding a company is often lonely and difficult, and I found tremendous value in the perspective, advice, inspiration and support I received from the many wonderful 1Up founders over the years. My new role will pay that forward, as I’ll be focused on continuing to build the community and support the existing portfolio companies.”
Nintendo of Europe announces new leadership
Nintendo of Europe shared an update to its management structure, with Luciano Pereña now serving as CEO, president and chairman of the management board. This change comes as Stephen Bole steps away from the role to retire after holding the role for six years and serving the company for 35 years.
“On behalf of the entire company, I extend my sincere thanks to Stephan Bole for his outstanding leadership and many years dedicated to Nintendo,” said Pereña.
“I am honoured to continue Nintendo’s purpose of putting smiles on faces, and I am confident that this leadership group and united European team will allow us to build on our company’s legacy of delivering unique experiences.”
New CEO appointed at Asmodee
Thomas Kœgler has succeeded Stéphane Carville as the new CEO of Asmodee. Carville had served as the tabletop gaming specialist’s chief executive since 2012. In addition, Kœgler will join the Embracer Group’s executive management team, and former Carville will also become a board member and senior advisor of Asmodee.
Kœgler First joined Asmodee in 2015 as an international program manager and went into a head of strategy and business development role in 2019, eventually moving into a deputy chief operating officer role in 2023 and has helped to strengthen Asmodee’s operations since.
“Asmodee is home to incredibly talented people and fantastic brands, with tremendous growth potential for the future within tabletop games and into other forms of entertainment,” said Kœgler.
“I am honoured and humbled to step into the position of CEO and to carry on Asmodee’s legacy into its next era, bringing incredible play experiences into every home and celebrating tabletop gaming as a major form of entertainment.”
52 Entertainment brings in Paul Le Bas as its business line chief revenue officer
On September 5th, 52 Entertainment announced the arrival of a new key member to its leadership team: chief revenue officer Paul Le Bas. He previously held the position of vice president of marketing at Kolibri Games and publishing director at Webedia. Through these experiences, Le Bas has gained extensive experience in driving growth within the casual gaming space.
“I’m incredibly excited to join 52 Entertainment at such a pivotal time,” said Le Bas.
“The recent growth in the casual gaming sector clearly demonstrates the group’s strong ambition. I’m eager to collaborate with the talented teams here to further establish 52 Entertainment as a dominant force in the industry. Together, we will push the boundaries of what’s possible and elevate 52e to new heights.”
Xsolla’s new public relations manager
Serena Lipscomb has been named as public relations manager, EMEA at games commerce company Xsolla. She was previously the PR manager for Europe. Prior to joining Xsolla earlier this year, Lipscomb worked for four years at Spark Communications, where her most recent role was as an account manager.
The new role at Xsolla will see Lipscomb maintaining and forging relations with stakeholders across the EMEA region.
Backbone gains a new senior game developer relations manager
Technology company Backbone, known for its consumer electronics devices and computer software products, has hired Mike Gulla as its new senior game developer relations manager. Gulla has held positions with Sensor Tower, from senior account manager to team director and also spent time at Warner Bros Games in a product management and developer relations consultant position.
Gulla took to LinkedIn to share the job move announcement.
“Excited to be over at Backbone as senior game developer relations manager,” he said. “Working with Mark Grimm, Tyler Nation and the Backbone team has been great so far. Thanks all, let’s get it!”
Sensemitter has a new board advisor
Artur Davydenko currently works at Meta as its business development manager but has also joined software company Sensemitter as a board advisor.
“I studied economics in university and waited for behavioural economics and neuromarketing to practically enter the gaming industry for a long time,” said Davydenko.
“I know their C-level team well, and they are ex-gaming. They understand how to become a part of the existing gaming pipeline rather than changing it. And It’s a product-led business where everything is a hypothesis. I think that’s the right way to build a business.”
