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Meet the Games Press & App Tech Media Event

EVENT	LAUNCH: Meet the Games Press & App Tech Media
DATE	Wednesday 4th April 2012
VENUE	Birmingham Science Park Aston, Faraday Wharf, Holt Street, Birmingham. B7 4BB.

Birmingham Science Park Aston are delighted to welcome you to “Meet the Games Press & App Tech Media” event taking  place in Birmingham on Wednesday 4th April 2012.  The event is kindly sponsored by:

 

     

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Meet The Press!
One of the best ways to generate interest in your latest product is to get media coverage about your game or games business.  Unbiased media coverage by respected media in the online and physical press can have a huge impact on your business.

So how do we get the journalists excited to write your story?  What makes them tick?  How has the media world changed?  How important is twitter, Linked-in and many forums and blogs.

To answer these questions, we have assembled a panel of game-media giants and industry experts to tell you about how they view the world.  Find out what makes them buzzing, what they want to write about, and what annoys them!  The panel will be on hand to provide one-to-ones and presentations to inform attendees on how they operate.

Chick here to see the photos and the video of the event.

 

TIME	DETAILS
10:00	Arrival & Registration
10:05	Table demos & Networking plus tour of Birmingham Science Park Aston’s games incubator & intro to Entrepreneurs for the Future (e4f) tech scheme including 6 months support, office space etc
10:30	Welcome & Introduction Matthew Hidderley, Business Development Manager, Birmingham Science Park Aston
	EVENT CHAIR - Dr Jo Twist, CEO, UKIE Dr Jo Twist was appointed CEO of UKIE on January 9th 2012.  Dr Twist comes from Channel 4 as Commissioning Editor for Education and previous positions include Multiplatform Commissioner for BBC Entertainment and Switch, plus BBC Three’s Multiplatform Channel Editor.  With a strong background in education, creative technology and youth culture, Twist brings a wealth of experience in all aspects of interactive entertainment including media, technical innovation and creativity, commercial and political issues.
10:45	Presentation 1 – Games editor Will Freeman, Video Games Journalist. Develop Magazine (Editor), The Observer (reviews)
11:00	Presentation 2 – In-house games Head of Comms/PR Richard Eddy, Director of Communications, Codemasters
11.15	Presentation 3 – THE CHANGING WORLD OF PR & MARKETING   Natalie Griffith, Head of PR & Marketing, Blitz Games Studios  Experiences of a Head of PR & Marketing Professional from engaging with the Press through to experiences of Digital media and social media etc
11:30	Q&A
11:45	BREAK
12:10	GAMES PRESS & MEDIA PANEL: Panel of game-media giants and industry experts      – What are the games press interested in?      – How do studios engage the games press?      – How is the games media industry changing?    * Matt Martin, Editor of GamesIndustry.biz at Eurogamer Network Ltd    * Keith Stuart, Guardian, Games Correspondent    * Alex Wiltshire, Editor, Edge Online    * Keith Andrew, Deputy Editor, PocketGamer.biz    * Colin Macdonald, Commissioning Editor for Games, Channel 4
13.10	Summary
13.30	Close, Table demos & more networking

Lunch is available in the onsite facilities at Faraday Wharf

During lunch, why not check out the ”Digiadvan” or the “Digiwalkers” demonstrated by VGM

TIME	DETAILS
14:00	1-2-1 pre arranged 10-15 minute meetings between press and games companies till 15:00   A chance for those with product/games underway to ask the press what makes them tick and to demo your products 1-2-1′s with the following people:  * Will Freeman, Video Games Journalist. Develop Magazine (Editor), The Observer (reviews)  * Richard Eddy, Director of Communications at Codemasters  * Matt Martin, Editor of GamesIndustry.biz at Eurogamer Network Ltd  * Keith Stuart, Guardian, Games Correspondent  * Natalie Griffith, Head of PR & Marketing, Blitz Games Studios  * Alex Wiltshire, Editor, Edge Online  * Keith Andrew, Deputy Editor, PocketGamer.biz  * Colin Macdonald, Commissioning Editor for Games, Channel 4
15:30	Open forum commences
16:00	Session ends

The main event will run from 10am-1.30pm and press meetings will take place between 2-4pm

Following the presentations, members of the press have agreed to pre-arranged  ‘speed’ meetings lasting 10-15 minutes.  You will find out if you have been successful and been selected for a couple of the one to one sessions when you turn up and register on the day.  If you have not been selected, there are plenty of opportunities to meet the speakers and other members of the delegates listed below. We cannot guarantee you will be selected for meetings and is subject to availability. 

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Will Freeman, Video Games Journalist. Develop Magazine (Editor), The Observer (reviews)

Respected journalist leads the essential industry magazine as editor of Develop.  Will drives the publication’s editorial direction and has day-to-day responsibility for the print magazine, reporting to editor-in-chief Michael French.  London-based Freeman joined Develop in December 2008 as staff writer and became deputy editor in March 2010. Will also writes about games every week for UK broadsheet The Observer. www.develop-online.net   

 

 

Matt Martin, Editor of GamesIndustry.biz at Eurogamer Network Ltd

Matt has been with GamesIndustry.biz since in August 2006, and was promoted to editor in September 2008 with responsibility for the entire editorial content and day to day running of the site.  Matt has over ten years experience in journalism, working in-house and freelance for a variety of trade, business to business and consumer publications from Informa Group, Intent Media, Future Publishing, Imagine Publishing and Tudor Rose, amongst others.  His work has appeared in a diverse selection of publications including MCV, Finance on Windows, Television Business International, PlayStation Gamer, Xbox World, PC Retail, Prime, Reach, i-D and Hip Hop Connection.    www.gamesindustry.biz

 

 

 

 

Richard Eddy, Director of Communications at Codemasters

Rich has been the Director of Communications at Codemasters since 2003 managing global communications for video games including DiRT, Dizzy and F1 2011. Codemasters is an award winning games developer and publisher with a 25-year heritage and annual revenues in excess of US$ 150 Million. Our popular game brands include DiRT, GRID, Cricket and Operation Flashpoint.  The company also retains the exclusive worldwide video game rights to FORMULA ONE.  Around the world, Codemasters employs over 500 people in development and publishing.  We have  two development studios in the UK– one at our Warwickshire HQ with a further site in Birmingham.  An additional art studio is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  www.codemasters.com
 

Keith Stuart, Guardian, Games Correspondent

Keith is lead games correspondent for The Guardian newspaper and a veteran technology journalist.  He regularly writes for industry bible Edge as well as the Official PlayStation Magazine and The Observer.  Keith has also covered games and consumer technology for T3, FHM, Sleaze Nation, PC Gamer, Games Master and PSM3.  He has chaired discussions on game culture at the Bradford Animation Festival, Bafta, Gamescom and GameCity.  www.guardian.co.uk/technology/games  

 

 

 Alex Wiltshire, Online Editor, Edge Magazine at Future Publishing

Alex edits Edge’s website, having previously been the magazine’s deputy editor, and contributes to all aspects of the publication.  He developed his journalism and writing career on the launch editorial team of design and architecture magazine Icon and as an editor on the Channel 4 website.  He has also written about videogames, design and architecture for publications including New Statesman, PC Gamer, Official Xbox Magazine, Design Week, Gamesmaster and The Architects’ Journal. 

 

Natalie Griffith, Head of PR & Marketing, Blitz Games Studios

Natalie joined Blitz Games Studios in 2000 to establish the company’s PR and marketing department and now heads up the company’s PR, marketing and communications strategies, with particular focus on business development, recruitment and internal communications. Varied games industry experience prior to her time with the company includes over five years as Editor of the Official Nintendo Magazine Australia, two years in the marketing design department at Codemasters, and three years for contract publishing house Catalyst Publishing where she wrote and designed a variety of game publications for Nintendo, Sega, THQ and others.  www.blitzgamesstudios.com

 

 

Keith Andrew, Deputy Editor, PocketGamer.biz

Keith is a freelance writer, currently serving as PocketGamer.biz’s Deputy Editor, but also working for PocketGamer.co.uk, Games TM, ElectricPig.co.uk and GameZebo, amongst others. Specialties include ability to write large amounts of copy, daily. Can also manage about 20 cups of coffee a day. www.pocketgamer.biz

 

 

Colin Macdonald, Commissioning Editor for Games, Channel 4

Colin entered the games industry in 1990 as Software Manager of SAM Computers, the manufacturer of the last British home computer. Following that experience he founded a small games company which brought around twenty titles to market, including licences of Lemmings and Prince of Persia. He joined DMA Design in 1997 as Producer on the multi-billion dollar generating Grand Theft Auto franchise, then helped found and was Studio Manager of Realtime Worlds, where he helped raise over $80m in investment and oversaw development of the 2 million selling, BAFTA-winning game Crackdown, and the online game APB. Colin was then VP of Business Development at RTW spinout eeGeo, and is now Commissioning Editor for Games at Channel 4.

 

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Parking:  Car parking is available at Faraday Wharf and a £7 token for 24 hours can be purchased from Faraday reception. Please bring change!

By Train: – Come into Birmingham Moor Street (nearest station with Chiltern Railways, London to Bham from £25 rtn), or Birmingham New Street Station or Snow Hill Station. It takes about 5 mins via taxi and will cost under £10 to reach the Science Park. Or you can walk which will take about 15-20 mins (circa 1.1 Mile or 2000 steps).

Hotels: please visit the Venue Page

Delegate List (as of 28/3/12):

• Ahmed Zaman, Lead Programmer, Angry Mango
• Kate Killick, Lead Artist, Angry Mango
• Tomas Rawlings, Creative Director, Auroch Digital
• Annette King, Innovation Manager, Digital Birmingham
• Adam Russell, Co-Founder, wallFour
• Monica Moldoveanu, Graduate Career Coach, Taylor Lloyd Mason
• Sanjay Aggarwal, Graduate Career Coach, Taylor Lloyd Mason
• Reis Hill, Developer, 3dnative
• Stephen Hands, Managing Director, 3dnative
• Deepak Pathak, Founder, WeWanaPlay
• Colin Macdonald, Commissioning Editor for Games, Channel 4
• Steffan Aquarone, Business Mouse, Settle
• Robbie Beak, Client Services Director, First Flight
• Paul Ranson, Director, Slam Productions
• Dan Licari, Director, Digital Media Fixer
• Sam Collins, Commercial Manager, UKIE
• Johanna Bolhoven, Cluster Manager, Creative England
• Stephen Jones, Designer, Sync Interactive
• Morgan Pretty, Developer, Sync Interactive
• Daniel Tejada, Developer, Sync Interactive
• Dan Hillman, Developer, Sync Interactive
• Mark Holland, Creative Director, Sync Interactive
• Simon Barratt, Director, Four Door Lemon Ltd
• Sarah van Rompaey, Executive Producer, Lady Shotgun
• Andy Jones, Digital & Marketing Manager, Creative England
• Edward Blincoe, CEO, DNA Dynamics, Inc.
• David Lovatt, COO, DNA Dynamics, Inc.
• Andy Pearson, Marketing Manager, PQube
• Dan Licari, Director, Digital Media Fixer
• Paul Meikle, International Trade Adviser, UK Trade & Investment
• Simon Kaguramamba, Web and Software Consultant, Strato-g
• Neil Gallagher, CEO, Sentaca
• Steve Ellis, Director, Crash Lab
• Neil Parmar, Company Director & Co-Founder, bluegfx
• Lee Phillips, Sales Manager, bluegfx
• Rebecca Bannister, PR Manager, Marketing Birmingham Ltd
• Sarah Darch, Investment Manager, Business Birmingham
• Amy Woodhouse, Account Director, Sponge Marketing
• Ryan Macgee-Swanson, PR Executive, Sponge Marketing
• Trevor Williams, Chief Operating Officer, Playground Games
• Stephen Morris, Technical Director, Greenfly Studios
• Suresh Sampathkumar, Business Development Executive, VGM
• Simon Callaghan, Director, Johnny Atom Productions
• Charley Grafton-Chuck, Account Director, Johnny Atom Productions
• Jo Twist, CEO, UKIE
• Daniel Wood, Communications & Public Affairs Manager, UKIE
• Benjamin Hill, Creative Designer, White Paper Games
• Pete Bottomley, Technical Designer, White Paper Games
• Dan Griffiths, Co-Founder, Monster and Monster
• David Fullick, Co-Founder, Monster and Monster
• Jason Hall, Head of Network and Partnerships, Game Central
• John Tearle, Founder, CEO, Undrawn Reality
• Luiz Ferreira, Director, White Room Games Ltd
• Adam Dixon, Head of Media and Development, VGM
• Scott Anthony, Business Development & Strategy, VGM
• Guy Wilday, Games Consultant, Independent
• Philippe Ingels, CEO, GrinLock Ltd
• Nick Clarkson, Communications Manager, Team 17
• Philip Tossell, Game Creator, Nyamyam Ltd
• Jennifer Schneidereit, Game Creator, Nyamyam Ltd
• Nia Wearn, Senior Lecturer, Staffordshire University
• Paul Virapen, Managing Director, Big Pixel Studios
• Will Luton, Creative Director, Mobile Pie
• Andrew Roper, Programmer, IndieSkies
• John White, Managing Director, 4T2 Multimedia Ltd
• Matt Morris, PR & Marketing Manager, Moshen Ltd
• James Wood, Creative Director, OOP!™ Games Studio Ltd
• Charlie Horn, Creative Director, OOP!™ Games Studio Ltd
• Philip Bulley, Creative & Development Director, 2Fold20 Play Ltd
• Neill Watson, CEO, 2Fold20 Play Ltd
• Martin Caine, Director, Retroburn Game Studios Ltd
• James Woodrow, Director, Utopian World of Sandwiches
• Mark Steadman, App Director, Flaming Tarball
• Cliff Dennett, Commercial Director, SoshiGames
• Kevin Corti, CEO, SoshiGames
• Jeff Coghlan, Director, Matmi New Media Design Ltd
• Stewart Morton-Collings, New Business & Development, Matmi New Media Design Ltd
• Jude Ower, CEO, PlayMob
• Caroline Howes, COO, PlayMob
• John Sear, Co-Founder, wallFour
• Kieran Nee, Director, Bit By Bit Games
• Matthew Hanlon, Director, Bit By Bit Games
• David Bozward, Director, dojit
• Keith Andrew, News Editor, PocketGamer.biz
• Alex Wiltshire, Editor, Edge Online
• Keith Stuart, Games Correspondent, The Guardian
• Matt Martin, Editor, GamesIndustry.biz
• Natalie Griffith, Head of PR & Marketing, Blitz Games Studios
• Rich Eddy, Director, Communications, Codemasters Software Co. Ltd
• Will Freeman, Editor, Develop Magazine
• Matthew Hidderley, Business Development Manager, Birmingham Science Park Aston
• Joe Barron, Community Evangelist, Kwalee Ltd
• Bruce Everiss, Chief Marketing Officer, Kwalee Ltd
• Lizzie Stabler, Brand Evangelist, Kwalee Ltd
• Ramin Z, Software Engineer, Independent Developer

Check one of our next events: LAUNCH: Games & Digital Meetup with Caroline Norbury, CEO of Creative England and Suresh Sudera, Head of Games, Vodafone Group.

Copyright Birmingham Science Park Aston Ltd - 2012