SUMMARY
Since 1998, I have deeply immersed myself in multiple facets of the video game industry, from production and development to public relations, marketing, journalism and more -- most recently, market research. Having worked for Marvel and LucasArts, I am no stranger to big-name brands, and my talents have helped shape some of the most popular licensed titles of all time.
SPECIALTIES: PR, Social Media and Marketing | Licensing/Brand Assurance | Communication | Video Game Evaluation (Gameplay, Story, Dialogue, Etc.) | Writing and Editing | Creative Solutions | Objective Thinking | Organization | All Things “Geek”
SPECIALTIES: PR, Social Media and Marketing | Licensing/Brand Assurance | Communication | Video Game Evaluation (Gameplay, Story, Dialogue, Etc.) | Writing and Editing | Creative Solutions | Objective Thinking | Organization | All Things “Geek”
HIGHLIGHTS
Numerous HUGE Games (and Plenty of Little Ones): Active role in the production of blockbuster titles such as LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2, five Spider-Man games, Marvel Pinball, and the promotion of LEGO Star Wars II, Star Wars Battlefront II and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed – more than 40 titles total, and over 100 SKUs
Steward of the Marvel Brand: Cleared thousands of official video game-related submissions, either approving them or offering solutions on how to best address their faults
Represented Some of Pop Culture’s Biggest Brands – Marvel, Star Wars and Indiana Jones – Through…
Heavily Published: Reviewed more than 200 games for major outlets (Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine, Electronic Gaming Monthly, PSM, 1UP, GameSpy, etc.), and previewed hundreds more; self-published via Kindle/CreateSpace
Steward of the Marvel Brand: Cleared thousands of official video game-related submissions, either approving them or offering solutions on how to best address their faults
Represented Some of Pop Culture’s Biggest Brands – Marvel, Star Wars and Indiana Jones – Through…
- Social Media: Continually updated and grew Marvel Heroes 2016's Facebook/Twitter/Instagram presence; established and ran @MarvelGames; wrote blog entries for PlayStation Blog, Marvel.com, IGN and more
- Speaking to Press: Quoted in premier press outlets such as the Los Angeles Times, Game Informer, Penny Arcade, The Hollywood Reporter, Kotaku, Polygon, G4TV and more
- Public Appearances: Represented Marvel and Gazillion with more than 10 panel appearances at enthusiast events
- Press Releases: Wrote all press releases for Gazillion from 2015-2016; wrote most press releases for LucasArts from 2005-2007; reviewed, edited and occasionally wrote press releases for Marvel games from 2007-2014
Heavily Published: Reviewed more than 200 games for major outlets (Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine, Electronic Gaming Monthly, PSM, 1UP, GameSpy, etc.), and previewed hundreds more; self-published via Kindle/CreateSpace
WORK EXPERIENCE
Director of Research | December 2016 – March 2017
- Managed market research projects for and liaised with high-profile clients in the entertainment industry
- Generated reports based on qualitative and quantitative data
- Created online surveys
- Interviewed respondents for the purpose of market research
Director of Communications | February 2015 – November 2016
- Played a key role in company PR, marketing and social media efforts, mostly concerning Marvel Heroes 2016
- Garnered continued support from top-tier outlets (IGN, Entertainment Weekly, Game Informer, GameSpot, ComicBook.com, etc.) and popular streamers, podcasters and YouTubers for a years-old game
- Conceptualized, directed and managed creative content for marketing, PR and social purposes (promotions, trailer concepts, art assets, Facebook/Twitter posts, etc.)
- Driven by analytics, posted to social media with unprecedented regularity and quality for the company, including brand new Instagram and Tumblr accounts
- Consulted on advertising strategies and content, and executed all ads rooted in social media
- Arranged for appearances at major conventions such as PAX, Gamescom, San Diego Comic Con, New York Comic Con, etc., often including personal panel appearances with an extensive, personally prepared presentation involved
- Collaborated with Marvel to ensure that all promotional content was in line with the company's own initiatives
- Communicated clearly and regularly to multiple fronts – internally, to press, to Marvel and to players themselves
- Worked with worldwide partners to ensure maximum global coverage
Bestselling Kindle Author | October 2014 – January 2015
- Wrote, edited, published and marketed WRONG! Retro Games, You Messed Up Our Comic Book Heroes!, which has ranked highly in its categories since its December 2014 release
- Cut a two-minute trailer and promoted the book heavily via social media and podcast appearances, resulting in more than 75 five-star customer reviews (overall averaging 4.7 out of 5) – spent no money doing so
- Recruited Marvel cover artist Matthew Waite to assist with the cover image
Manager, Licensed Games | October 2007 – July 2014
- Approved and rejected Marvel IP-related content in licensed video games, big and small
- Critiqued all in-game content, from core gameplay mechanics to story and character
- Recommended and developed new gameplay content and game features
- Wrote and edited game content (cutscene scripts, in-game dialogue, mission descriptions, etc.)
- Maintained relationships with key production and marketing personnel at licensees and developers
- Assisted to forge new relationships with new licensees
- Coordinated with external talent, including top-tier artists and writers
- Evaluated, selected, and assisted in the direction of voice talent
- Heavily researched the IP and stayed abreast of all things applicable (reading comics and movie scripts, etc.)
Studio Publicist | January 2005 – September 2007
- Executed PR plans for three of the biggest Star Wars video games of all time, with a focus on the enthusiast press
- Collaborated with marketing to ensure that all plans were on message
- Organized assets for proper distribution among numerous outlets
- Served as “the voice of LucasArts,” writing effective press releases, feature stories and more
- Crafted story angles and other creative ideas
- Represented LucasArts at industry events such as E3, Star Wars Celebration and San Diego Comic-Con
- Contributed writing skills, game feedback and more to production and other departments whenever called upon
Freelancer/Consultant | September 2004 – January 2005
- Pitched feature ideas to prominent gaming magazines
- Wrote game-related reviews, previews and features for numerous prominent magazines and websites
- Consulted directly with video game companies about the quality of their upcoming releases
Reviews/Previews Editor | January 2000 – August 2004
- Wrote hundreds of articles, including reviews, previews, features, news stories and more
- Assigned reviews and previews to editors and freelancers
- Meticulously organized Reviews and Previews sections (2003-2004 and 2000-2003, respectively)
- Developed creative ways to present otherwise straightforward information
- Regularly covered industry events, from small preview junkets and release parties to conventions such as E3 and Star Wars Celebration
- Performed extensive work with celebrities (including R.E.M., Mark Hamill, Michelle Rodriguez, Stan Lee, Gin Blossoms, Barenaked Ladies, Todd McFarlane and more)
Writer/Editor | June 1998 – January 2000
- Reviewed and described approximately 400 video games from NES era to PlayStation
- Edited and wrote detailed character biographies for video game characters
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, Communications/Advertising
Minor: Business Administration
Graduated May 1999, 3.48 GPA
Minor: Business Administration
Graduated May 1999, 3.48 GPA