Sega Networks chief product officer Joseph Kim has joined Universal Brand Development's games and digital platform business as senior vice president for publishing.

Kim will lead strategy and operations for the company’s games publishing business which covers mobile, PC and console.

He’ll oversee slate and product management, marketing, user acquisition and revenue optimisation in all of Universal’s games and apps.

Kim will report directly to Chris Heatherly, the company’s executive VP for worldwide games and digital platforms.

Expanding games business

“Joseph has an impressive track record and is an accomplished leader with a deep understanding of games,” said Heatherly.

“His expertise in both product and publishing will help us sharpen our focus on becoming a leading publisher in the industry.”

Kim joins Universal at a time when it’s ramping up its publishing business following Heatherly’s appointment in 2016. Games harnessing Universal IP include Ludia’s Jurassic World Alive, Firefly’s DreamWorks: Universe of Legends and Gameloft's Despicable Me: Minion Rush.

The company recently had a big presence at GDC in San Francisco, where it held its own conference and also announced a partnership with Unity allowing developers to pitch games using some of its IP.

As well as working at Sega Networks, Kim has previously worked at FunPlus, Gaia Interactive and Playviews.