Kurtis Buckmaster
Over 18 years of developing cutting edge online community experiences for gamers, with 11+ years of massively multiplayer gaming and major game publisher focus. Currently working as Vice President of Product Marketing at LiveGamer.com.
| Headline: | Entrepreneur |
| Skills: | Business, Management, Marketing, Sales |
| Interested in: | Brainstorming, Finding business partners, Finding cofounders, Finding team mates, Meeting new people, Professional opportunities, Promoting my startups, Recruiting for my startup |
WORK EXPERIENCE
| Employer: | LiveGamer.com |
| Position: | Vice President of Product Marketing |
| Time period: | March 2008 - Present |
| Description: | • Developed engagement/retention focused product roadmap and process for player to player market places and market-relevant features
• Reducing fraud rates and increasing customer retention through design and implementation of anti-fraud and customer service features • Designing and developing productized components and features, including customer service, fraud and user interface • Manage development priorities and process, coordinating with all teams, to execute against revenue goals • Creation of social apps/games design and monetization strategies for major social networks • Consulting for partners on design, integration and itemization strategies to maximize virtual economy success and enhancement of user experience • Develop and lead marketing programs, including tradeshows and events, sales tools and training, content for product and company collateral, community messaging, and all design creative • Design, build and support new business models and related features • Evaluate third-party technologies to adopt, perform due diligence, and recommend partnerships |
| Employer: | Curse.com |
| Position: | Vice President of Marketing & Product Development World Wide |
| Time period: | July 2007 - February 2008 |
| Description: | • Promoted quickly from Director of Marketing & Community to VP of Marketing & Product Dev World Wide
• Increased Curse.com traffic 42% from Aug 07 to Feb 08 • Designed and managed development of publisher services community and content platform (SaaS) • Established and maintained key partnerships, including creating and presenting publisher services platform, managing communication between both internal and external teams responsible for implementation, and managing ongoing relationships (two of those partnerships will launch this year) • Designed cutting edge Web 2.0 social media platform targeting MMO gamers • Created strategic feature roadmap (including creative and technical specifications). Lead Project Management, development timelines & developers • Directed all Marketing operations including creative (online & off), network web design and positioning, brand development, product marketing, corporate branding, promotions and partnerships • Manage, grow, and train Sales team. Create and present strategic sales and sponsorship opportunities to partners and prospects • Developed premium subscription and revenue sharing programs |
| Employer: | GameSpot.com – CNET Entertainment |
| Position: | Sr. Manager, Community & Customer Service |
| Time period: | October 2006 - July 2007 |
| Description: | • Increased Customer Service productivity and reduced average response time from 1 week to 1 day
• Launched new volunteer moderation initiatives, for over 200 volunteers, that increased moderation activity by 500% and reduced average forum ticket response time to less than an hour • Managed Community & Customer Service teams • Developed strategy for post launch game support • Evolved and refined existing community support strategies • Managed execution of GameSpot community events, both live and online • Analyzed results and developed ongoing strategies for improvement and growth of initiatives • Managed relationship and coordination efforts between Marketing, Sales and Product development for partnerships, sponsorships, and events |
| Employer: | Ubisoft Entertainment |
| Position: | Sr. Online Marketing Manager |
| Time period: | July 2000 - October 2006 |
| Description: | • Established industry leading online marketing and community programs and practices
• Developed and launched successful online beta program for PC titles including Massively Multiplayer Online Games • Created and directed highly successful online tournament program, partnering with companies such as Dodge, Best Buy, and GameStop to bring high profile/visibility promotions to PC & Xbox live gamers • Developed international online web presence (Ubi.com) • Worked closely with Brand Managers to develop and execute overall online marketing and community strategies, plans, and communications and develop branded web presence • Collaborated with PR Managers, Online Advertising Managers and Promotions Managers to coordinate initiatives • Managed external contractors and vendors to carry out marketing and community initiatives • Prepared bi-monthly online, community, and market buzz reports for distribution company wide • Bi-monthly community and traffic reporting delivered to Brand Managers and Senior Managers • Brands: Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon, Splinter Cell, Brothers in Arms, Far Cry, The Matrix Online, Shadowbane, XIII, Myst Series, IL2-Sturmovik, America’s Army, CSI, Chessmaster, Lock-On, Silent Hunter and others |
| Employer: | Sony Computer Entertainment America |
| Position: | Online Marketing Manager |
| Time period: | October 1997 - July 2000 |
| Description: | • Worked closely with Product Managers (Brand Managers) to develop and execute web marketing strategies
• Managed external web agencies to develop cutting edge brand sites • Launched first PlayStation online community • Lead web team to provide live event coverage for E3, NFL Players Party and other events • Brands: PlayStation 2, PlayStation Underground, Gran Turismo, Crash Bandicoot, Tomba, Cool Boarders, Final Fantasy, Ape Escape, Grandia, Colin MacRae, Cardinal Syn, Contender, A Bug’s Life, Tarzan, Grind Session, Hot Shots Golf, Jet Moto, 989 Sports and others |
INFORMATION
| Hobbies: | • Personal interest in evolving and enhancing childhood education through gaming/social media
• Enjoy power point presentations and public speaking • Pro gaming team sponsorship and sponsorship relations • Dedicated community advocate and online gamer • United States Navy 1987-1991 • Favorite/Recent Reading: 177 Mental Toughness Secrets of the World Class, Talent is Overrated, The Tipping Point, Outliers, The ABCs of Building a Business Team that Wins, Hidden Value, Driven from Within, Think & Grow Rich, How to Win Friends and Influence People, The Secret, Quiet Strength, Rich Dad Poor Dad, Do You |
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Sam Mathews
Aussie / Brit, Graduated Management Science and Accounting Southampton University, Started Fnatic as a hobby in 2004 now world number 1 professional gaming team. Seen the light.. UGAME.net currently in beta!