Pocket Gamer Connects London 2019 will take place on January 21st to 22nd. To give you a taste of what to expect, we'll regularly be publishing interviews with the speakers at the show.

For more details on PGC London and to book a ticket, head to the website here.

In today's Speaker Spotlight, we're catching up with Dodreams CEO Erik Pöntiskoski, who will be joining a panel called "Growing Pains - moving from a handful of entrepreneurs to a company". 

PocketGamer.Biz: Tell us a bit about the company? 

Erik Pöntiskoski: We do more than games. We Do Dreams. 

Dodreams is the maker of Drive Ahead! Games - the best way to play, share and watch fun games. 

What does your role entail?

As CEO, it is multitasking; from taking out the trash to helping teams with production priorities and performance targets to negotiating deals with brands like Hot Wheels.

Why did you want to work in the games industry?

I was a marketing PhD candidate and lecturer at a business school. I then realised I would like to do business, not just write and talk about it.

I find performance marketing and developing products with the help of data thrilling. Gaming is the best place to do that.

What advice would you give to anyone looking to get into it?

Gain deep knowledge in a field of gaming you are passionate about through hobbies and studies.

You don't have to have commercial success but show that you can complete things and get games live. 

Show that you understand games from a broader perspective than just your own craft.

What are your thoughts on the industry in the last 12 months?

Interesting to see old titles going strong and new games becoming global hits. There is always room to innovate.

What significant trends do you predict in the next 12 months?

Players will spend longer times in games as a part of communities as the power and popularity of social networking services decrease.

Which part of the Connects event are you most looking forward to and why?

Case studies and networking.

Find out more about Pocket Gamer Connects London 2019 on the website.