Bolton joins as Tidey heads to movie firm Zynga swoops for EA’s Cottle Promotions at VideoGamer nDreams wins investment from TV veteran
FUTURE l BEN BOLTON (far left) has joined Future to take up the role of senior communications executive. He previously worked at IPC Media, where he handled publications such as Nutsand NME. “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Future,” said Bolton. “Working across entertainment
brands provided me with the perfect platform to take on the PR for Future’s internationally renowned portfolio of gaming brands. I can’t wait to get started.” Bolton replaces previous communications executive NATALIE TIDEY
(above right). She joined Future back in 2009, and now moves on to Double Negative as recruiter. The movie firm created special effects for Inception, The Dark Knightand the Harry Potterfilms. Tidey added: “It’s been a real pleasure working at Future, and I wish Ben and the team all the very best for what will be a busy and exciting year.”
ZYNGA l The social games giant has hired BARRY COTTLE (pictured) as its EVP of business and corporate development. Cottle previously oversaw EA’s mobile and social games business, where he was instrumental in the acquisition of PopCap Games, Firemint and Chillingo. Before joining EA, Cottle worked at Palm Computing and Walt Disney. Cottle is the latest senior EA exec to join Zynga. The social
games firm’s COO JOHN SCHAPPERT held the same position at EA, president of games STEVEN CHIANG was formerly head of EA Sports’ Florida studio and CMO JEFF KARP was EVP of EA’s Play label.
VIDEOGAMER l Several members of the popular site’s team have been promoted. NEON KELLY (far left) takes on the role of deputy and features editor, while former previews editor and Games
Media Awards winner MARTIN GASTON (above middle) has become reviews editor. Finally, EMILY GERA (above right) is now the site’s MMO editor. “2012 is shaping up to be a great year for VideoGamer.com,” said editor TOM ORRY. “We’ve decided to move away from the traditional way video games are covered in the gaming media, placing less emphasis on standard previews and putting more resources into original, insightful content.”
NDREAMS l The digital publisher has added PIP BURLEY to its board. Burley is CEO of Excelsior Productions and executive producer of TV shows such as A Touch of Frost. He has become a director of nDreams and invested in the firm. “I am excited about nDreams, which I think has a brilliant future,” he said. “There is a truly global marketplace out there with a real appetite for the kind of products nDreams develops.”