Hubertz steps down but will join free-to-play publisher’s Board Porteous secures permanent role as Future’s entertainment boss Two key hires for Koch Media
BIGPOINT l The free-to-play publisher’s CEO HEIKO HUBERTZ has left his role after Bigpoint cut over 120 jobs. Hubertz founded the company for ten years ago and has seen a number of partnerships with T-Online, Yahoo, Web.de, MTV and more.
He will be move to Bigpoint’s advisory board as executive chairman at the end of the year, when his replacement will be named. The exec has attempted to resign as CEO before, but explained that his replacement didn't work out.
His decision to step down stems from the company’s struggle to settle in
San Francisco – the second most expensive city in the US. Due to intense competition in the area and the expense of paying employees, Hubertz believes developing games in the US is not efficient for the company. As a result, the firm has cut more than 120 jobs. The job cuts affect 80 people at the company’s Hamburg office and more than 40 people at the San Francisco office.
FUTURE l The magazine publisher has named CLAIR PORTEOUS as head of its Entertainment group. She became interim boss of Future’s entire games and film portfolio after former Entertainment chief SIMON MAXWELL left the firm to join Eurogamer in August. Porteous took this role on a permanent basis as of last week, with one of her first duties being to open the Golden Joystick Awards. “The growth of the entertainment group is crucial as we continue our development as a borderless, digital business,” said Future’s publishing director for entertainment and technology NIAL FERGUSON. “Clair’s drive and desire to accelerate the growth plans made her the perfect candidate to lead the strong entertainment management team through the next phase of the portfolio’s evolution.” Porteous previously worked at IPC media as head of marketing for men’s lifestyle magazines Nutsand Loaded.
KOCH MEDIA l The European distributor has expanded its UK department with two new hires.
GARY WILSON has joined as senior national account manager, leaving the same position at Warner Bros.
PADDY LORKIN joins as international sales and new business development manager. He previously worked as Tesco as a business manager as well as Microsoft and Activision Blizzard.
“Gary has a wealth of experience and I’m looking forward to working with him on our exciting future line-up of fantastic releases,” said head of publishing sales GREG WHALLEY. Sales and marketing director PAUL NICHOLLS added: “Paddy’s wide range of experience is exactly what the company requires to move us forward with our future line up.”