MCV’s 30 Under 30: Pt.1

Peter Silver
Assistant Sales Manager,
D3PE
Peter Silver graduated in Media Studies and worked in various sales roles outside the industry before joining D3P in 2007. Since then he has managed D3P’s business in a diverse portfolio of accounts and territories ranging from Gamestation to HMV and Russia to Australia.

With titles like Ben 10, Dark Sector, Shaun The Sheep and Puzzle Quest, he has already made quite an impact among retail buyers.

As reported in MCV, Silver was recently promoted, and he will now be focusing more on export territories. He is also, according to the photo we’ve been sent, a keen wearer of aviators and grinning like a mentalist. And he’s just 26. Jesus.

James Haley
Account Manager,
Imagine Publishing
As the main point of contact for major publishers at Imagine, Haley has become a pretty well-known figure in trade circles.
He is responsible for the advertising and creative solutions for games publishers at Imagine. Over the last year, we are told he has proved himself to be a key figure spearheading some of the more creative ideas within Imagine’s portfolio.

Those who nominated Haley told MCV that he is a huge asset to Imagine and his passion and drive ensure total commitment to this industry”.

Also, less seriously, we are told: Incidentally, don’t let the photo fool you, it’s an old one. He looks nothing like that now!"

Toby Burton
Senior Games Buyer,
HMV
Toby has been part of the HMV buying team for two years and during that time has driven continual improvements with his key accounts, building solid working relationships along the way.

Toby has been key in delivering some major strategic initiatives at HMV, including year-round Guitar Hero offers and the firm’s huge summer Body and Mind campaign, increasing its share on key products and hardware along the way.

As the High Street stalwart cements its credentials as a specialist games retailer with its Re/Play initiative, Burton will continue to become an essential member of Tim Ellis’ games team, with fresh thinking and an unrivalled work ethic.

Nick Arran
Senior Buyer,
EUK
Nick Arran, still just 27, started out at indie chain Special
Reserve, then moved on to take up hugely successful roles at Gamestation, Amazon and now EUK.

Described by those who nominated him as a very knowledgeable, popular and well respected buyer, his current remit sees him hold the position of one of the most influential buyers in the games industry. He is responsible for EUK’s relationship with Electronic Arts, Sony and Ubisoft – and he buys software and hardware for all six of EUK’s High Street customers.

On top of those fabulous credentials, we are told that no-one does drunk and disorderly like him – something MCV has had to deal with on several occasions at industry parties over the years.

Leonie Manshanden
Director of Global Marketing,
Midway
Leonie Manshanden joined Midway Games in May 2007 as European marketing director in order to oversee and head up Midway’s marketing efforts in PAL territories.

In July 2008 Leonie was promoted to director of global marketing. Based in both Midway’s London office, as well as the publisher’s Chicago worldwide headquarters, the Dutch marketing professional now heads up the global marketing team.

With the recent launch of TNA Impact under her belt, forthcoming releases MK VS DC Universe, as well as This Is Vegas and The Wheelman, will ensure that Manshanden is kept busy in the next few months – and will continue to do a sterling job.

Gareth Evans
National Account Manager,
Capcom
According to our mole at Capcom, Evans is a shining example of a rising star in the industry, his experience already covers working on successful brands like Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 and Metal Gear Solid 4, in addition to Resident Evil, Street Fighter, Monster Hunter, Dead Rising and Lost Planet”.

He began his career at Capcom four years ago as a sales admin executive, before switching to fellow Japanese publisher Konami, where he took up a key account manager role.
As soon as Capcom expanded the team, the publisher brought him back and he is now national account manager for the UK and Ireland, boasting impressive experience and knowledge.

Carly Byron
PR Manager,
SCE UK
Byron made her debut in the games industry just over three years ago, when she spent a year as marketing assistant at Buena Vista Games.
On her departure, she took up the position of junior PR manager at SCE UK where she managed specialist print press through the launch of PS3.

After a year, Byron was promoted to PR manager and has since managed specialist PR campaigns for the likes of GT5 Prologue and the SingStar brand, as well as (perhaps most notably) LittleBigPlanet.

She is currently also working on the specialist campaign for Resistance 2, amongst others, and has become a key contact for the press and a popular figure on the industry party scene. She also has a nice pair of sunglasses.

Yen Hau
Product Marketing Assistant,
Rising Star Games
Working with the UK and international marketing manager, Yen Hau works on all aspects of the entire marketing mix for Rising Star Games products. This ranges from the design and proof-reading of inlays and manuals, writing press releases and assisting in product presentations. A touch of PR activity is also included, most notably in building relationships with journalists and consumers across all relevant platforms.

Having previously worked in retail at both GAME and HMV, in just six short months Yen has made the transition to become a key member of the marketing team at Rising Star Games. He has also recently co-ordinated Rising Star Games’ media event at this year’s Tokyo Game Show.

Jon Cooksey
Senior Online Merchant,
Apple Europe
Cooksey is responsible for the buying and marketing of Mac games and software on the Apple online store across the EMEA territories.

He has racked up an impressive 11 years in the games industry, starting in 1998 working in a GAME retail store. He spent a number of years at DSG International on both buying and marketing, as well as developing the online games offering.

Now at Apple, Cooksey is looking to bring more people to gaming on the Mac platform and is instrumental in working with all key publishers in pushing this untapped platform.
As Apple’s popularity continues to grow through the success of iPod, iPhone and the Mac format, Cooksey is the ‘go to’ man for games publishers.

Nick Powell
Consultant Product Manager 3rd Party EMEA,
Microsoft
Powell switched from the PR team last year, and outlines his most satisfying moment to date as being named at the end credits of Ninja Gaiden 2 as ‘EMEA Marketing Manager.’

Before this, Powell lived in Bournemouth where he worked for Highbury publications such as Play magazine, where he reached the dizzy heights of deputy editor before quitting suddenly and unexpectedly – apparently because his landlord moved some unsavoury characters into his house. These included a drug addict prostitute, as well as two fat German lesbians and their rottweiler.

Since moving to Microsoft, Powell has become a rising star at the platform holder, resulting in his first 30 under 30 appearance.

Johanna Hakala
PR Executive
Indigo Pearl
According to one of the people that nominated her, Johanna has been an incredible PR and huge help” to her press contacts. She can often be found in her office from 7.30am – 7.30pm, and is inc