Supercell gives $280,000 to Aalto University, Peter Lovell returns to Jagex, and David Perry joins GoVyrl
Influencers are all the rage these days, but unless you're keeping a close eye on the industry, it's hard to know where they're all coming from and how to get involved with them.
It's little wonder then that our most read story of last week was the news that Gaikai head David Perry had left to be CEO of GoVyrl, an influencer marketing company that aims to match up brands with those social media stars.
Second on our Hot Five is the news that NaturalMotion's head of talent acquisition Peter Lovell has left to rejoin Jagex as its new director of talent acquisition, returning to his previous home after two years away.
Arts, automation and advice
Third up is Supercell granting over $280,000 to Aalto University to help it build a new digital media centre, with the Finnish government matching its donation.
And finally, AdColony has reportedly let go of 100 of its employees as it switches to automated ad sales, and we chat to Glu Mobile's Mark Van Ryswyk about how to get a job as a Studio Head.
Click the link below to find out more about the stories that caught our readers' attention over the last week.
#5: Jobs in Games: Glu Mobile's Mark Van Ryswyk on how to get a job as a Studio Head
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Jobs in Games: Glu Mobile's Mark Van Ryswyk on how to get a job as a Studio Head »With so many different jobs in games out there, we think it's worthwhile asking the people who have those jobs to explain how they got started in our Jobs in Games series.
This time around, we asked Mark van Ryswyk, Senior Vice President of Studios at Glu Mobile, about how to get a job as a Studio Head.
"Our philosophy is that everyone in the studio is a game maker and what we strive for is to create an environment where we empower our developers to lead," he says.
"I believe it’s about fostering this environment where people can be bold, and with support, develop the skills to lead."
#4: AdColony cuts 100 jobs as it shifts to automated ad sales
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AdColony cuts 100 jobs as it shifts to automated ad sales »Mobile advertising firm AdColony laid off nearly 100 staff last week, according to a report.
People “familiar with the matter” told Business Insider that the company made cutbacks on the number of staff it employs as part of a move to use more programmatic ad sales options.
This means that AdColony is letting more clients use an automated process for ad buying rather than just working with a person at the company.
The report also noted that the firm is stepping away from mobile banner ads and moving into reward-based advertising.
#3: Supercell grants over $280,000 to Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture
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Supercell grants over $280,000 to Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture »They say that children are the future, but if they're ever going to change the world, then they're going to need well-funded education system.
To aid in that, Supercell has granted over $280,000 to Aalto University to help build a new digital media centre, with its donation being matched by the Finnish government.
"We hope that the co-operation we're starting with Aalto will make it even better. We want to make Finland the undisputed nexus of the world, a sort of Hollywood for gaming. We'll achieve this goal if we can attract not only Finnish talent, but also top international minds," said Supercell CEO Ilkka Paananen.
"We believe that the multidisciplinary bedrock of Aalto and, in particular, the Aalto Studios project might play a crucial role in this regard. Aalto Studios might well become the best product development, research and educational hub in the world."
#2: NaturalMotion’s head of talent acquisition Peter Lovell returns to Jagex
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NaturalMotion’s head of talent acquisition Peter Lovell returns to Jagex »No matter how far you may move from your home, the draw to go back remains strong - and it seems the same is true for game studios.
It's certainly true for Peter Lovell, who has returned to Jagex after a two year stint as NaturalMotion's head of talent acquisition to become the Runescape developer's director of talent acquisition.
“There are amazing things going on at Jagex right now, and yet still so much potential to unlock. I am deeply honoured to be re-joining at this exciting time and can’t wait to get out there and tell people what's happening behind the scenes," he said.
"I’m truly blessed to have the opportunity to be returning to a company that is such a huge part of my own history and professional DNA. You can take the man out of Jagex, but you never take Jagex out of the man.”
#1: Former Gaikai boss David Perry named CEO of Instagram influencer marketing start-up
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Former Gaikai boss David Perry named CEO of Instagram influencer marketing start-up »Influencers are slowly taking over the world of marketing, so it's probably a smart move for marketers to start putting their eggs in that particular basket before they fall behind.
So it's no wonder that former Gaikai boss David Perry has decided to join an influencer-focused start-up GoVyrl as its CEO.
"I personally believe authentic influencer marketing has a much brighter future than all the friction and annoyance we used to accept from old-school TV, magazine and even online banner advertising," wrote Perry on LinkedIn.
Vryl, the company's first experimental app, worked a little like Tinder - you swipe left or right on which influncers you want to work with or avoid, and once a match is made, you can chat through the details. Modern technology, eh?