Business Development/Licensing ~ Creative Director – Executive Producer
www.linkedin.com/in/vinnycarrella
415-845-3692
Licensing and publishing specialist with an emphasis on evangelism and developer relations. Award-winning creative director and interactive designer with natural leadership abilities and excellent organizational skills utilized in creating, designing, producing and directing critically acclaimed interactive media. Specializing in business development and forging strategic alliances. Talent recruitment. Game evaluation, ideation, design, concept development, story and original character development, art and animation production, creative and technical management.
· 20+ years hands-on experience creating and producing games, 3D and 2D web animation, digital entertainment and multimedia.
· 5 years building casual download and online gaming evaluation and release pipelines and developer relations programs.
· Co-founder of two digital studios; creative lead on several prominent electronic games notably Iron Helix, Bad Mojo and Space Bunnies Must Die!
· Developed and designed properties and animated serials for Warner Brothers' Entertaindom.com, Jay Leno and The Tonight Show, Saturday Night Live and NBC.com, Pop.com, Backslap.com, Stan Lee Media, Dark Horse Comics , Excite@Home, Electronic Arts and 3DO.
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
Nickelodeon Kids & Family Games Group
Shockwave.com, a division of MTV Networks /Viacom, Inc.
April 2007 – Present
Director of Licensing
Responsible for the acquisition and licensing of downloadable direct-to-consumer, e-commerce games for Shockwave.com, Addicting Games and NickJr.com., as well as the development of Shockwave’s publishing and internal production initiatives and best practices. Also responsible for the procurement of 3rd Party Flash and browser-based games for Shockwave, working closely in coordination with Addicting Games.
· Actively scout, evaluate and procure high-converting download game content in the on-going management of the games release pipeline and e-comm launch schedule and games store, forecasting and tracking of download games’ sales, conversions and product life cycles, identification of product and technology trends and key genres for site promotion and customer acquisition campaigns.
· Working with Lead Counsel and Director of Finance to negotiate and administer new and existing partner distribution licenses and license amendments, tacking and trouble shooting revenue reports and the management of a complex system of developer set-up and payment requirements to ensure timely and consistent royalty disbursements.
· Built and maintained a product catalog of 600+ download games, ensuring a steady stream of revenue-generating content releases.
· Responsible for Increasing product release frequency, quality and diversification, significantly boosting membership and decreasing member churn in Shockwave Unlimited, Shockwave’s subscription service - a key revenue driver.
· Manage developer relations and new business development for both 3rd party download and Flash games and member of the Shockwave ‘green-light’ team over-seeing internal development of download and Flash-based browser games, including the talent scouting and evaluation of original game concepts and development studios.
iWin.com
January 2006 – April 2007
Content Producer/ Director of Publishing and Developer Relations
As a key member of the iWin executive staff reporting directly to CEO, created and managed the iWin developer relations program and You Win with iWin marketing campaign, spearheaded all new content and in-bound licensing acquisition and coordinated between development, web services, sales and the executive team to build iWin's worldwide publishing business, significantly enhancing iWin's reputation in the development community. Key duties and responsibilities included:
· Forging relationships with game developers and licensors and securing mass market casual games and brands for worldwide publishing and distribution.
· Formulated strategy and managed all aspects of developer relations, acting as the company's ambassador to the game development community.
· Initiated and maintained working relationships with key development executives, promoting iWin as a leading publishing partner.
· Drove the search and acquisition for new content by proactively prospecting leads, qualifying developers, presenting game concepts and designs, creating production proposals, negotiating, closing and signing publishing, distribution and development deals for the iWin Game Studio.
· Wrote and instituted guidelines and criteria to target games, platforms, and licenses for iWin's publishing portfolio.
· Conducted routine market analysis and competitive reconnaissance to create and maintain a strong product portfolio.
· Represented iWin at industry conferences worldwide as the sole business development representative and as a speaker and panelist at industry events including, Casual Connect Amsterdam and Seattle, GDC Russia, Austin Games Conference, GDC San Jose and E3.
· Created, owned and managed iWin's DevZone, an online resource for product submission and developer communication.
· Creation and Administration of iWin 2nd Party titles, acting as Executive Producer (Sherlock Holmes, Snapshot, Ancient Mosaic, Jig Art, Pantheon, Birds on a Wire, War Chess and several undisclosed titles)
· Took over and managed iWin’s 3rd Party Distribution Business, overhauled the wrap and release of new games, re-designed release process and distribution strategy utilizing daily sales analysis, trend tracking, and market evaluation.
Freelance Consultant
2001-2005
- Talent Agent/Recruiter working under contract for GameRecruiter.com, a leading games industry search firm.
- Source, identify, interview, recruit and place artists, animators, programmers, producers and marketing personnel within game development industry.
- Freelance consultant for game, web and digital media clients including: Electronic Arts, Mondo Media and 3DO
o Wrote and co-designed the in-game movies and cut-sequences for the action-adventure The Four Horsemen and the in-game dialog for Portal Runner and Sarge’s War: Army Men II.
o Wrote the dialog and copy for the graphic novel: Four Horseman.
- Wrote scripts and dialog for digital Beyonce Knowles, Avril LaVigne and Ludicris’ digital SIMS characters.
- Wrote story and dialog for the upcoming comic books series Four Horseman, based on the video game.
- Wrote web copy and designed HTML layouts for Magellan Health Care Living Healthy, Working Well email program.
- Cable in the Classroom Voting Game For the 2004 Presidential Election - Wrote copy, quiz questions and glossary of terms for an online virtual board game designed to teach high school kids about the electoral colleges and the process of running for President.
- CostumeCity.com – Wrote copy, merchandise descriptions, headers, taglines and search-friendly keywords for this online costume shopping destination site.
- Wrote The Serpent Box and the Poison Jar, a 400 page novel based on the life of a 10 year-old Pentecostal preacher just purchased by Harper-Collins Perennial.
Co-founder/Creative Director/CEO
Jinx Digital Animation Studios, 1997-2001
· Day-to-day production oversight, including scheduling, budgeting, resource management, hiring and managing a staff of 20 artists and engineers
· Writing scripts, authoring design documents and direction of individual animated properties
· Development of original concepts, scenarios, environments, characters and functionality for company's games, shows and entertainment properties
· Conducted relevant research, art directed conceptual design process, managed creation of prototypes and drew initial storyboards
· Worked directly with programmers and engineers to develop product technical specifications
· Directed the on-going production of art assets, models, animations, live-action video, sound and theme music
· Developed and directed the first consumer entertainment content utilizing streaming 3D technology, (Virtual Jay)
· Designed original 3D characters for Jay Leno, Saturday Night Live, Stan Lee Media, Warner Brothers, Darkhorse Comics, Nike and Eruptor.com
- Designed and developed original properties and characters including Li’l Green Men, an award-winning comedy for Warner Brothers, BloodRunner, a 2D film noir style detective series for Steven Speilberg’s Pop.com (Flash based), Roadshow3000, another Flash production for Backslap.com and Caddies a 3D web comedy which won the Dancing Pixel Award for Best Web Comedy in the year 2000.
· Directed daily operations, business development, and the overall strategy and marketing of Jinx Studios; establishing the company as a premier developer of animated content for the web.
Creative Director/ Game Designer/ Producer
Pulse Entertainment, 1995-1997
· Wrote, designed and directed Bad Mojo, which became a top-selling and award-winning PC game
· Oversaw the conceptual and actual design of Space Bunnies Must Die!
- Wrote art specifications and authored design documents
- Tracked the production schedule and deliverables to ensure timely delivery of assets
- Created storyboarded for cut sequences, critical scenes, characters, and game components
- Wrote character descriptions and directed their designs
- Created game flow charts and puzzle specs
- Auditioned, cast, and directed voices and live action talent
- Wrote production guidelines and initial technical specs
- Conducted risk analysis of additional features
- Worked with QA to get beta tester and player feedback
- Tuned games and adjusted tuning from player feedback
- Posted builds, reviewed build notes, logged and prioritized bugs with QA
- Delivered timely feedback to engineers regarding compatibility and all other ship crucial items
- Co-designed marketing collateral, packaging and CD art
- Wrote user manuals, clue books, in-game clues, lyrics, box copy, ad copy and all dialog
Vice President/Game Designer/Lead Writer
Drew Pictures, 1991-1995
- Co-founded Drew Pictures, a 3D animation production studio and game developer
- Co-designed and wrote the company’s hit game Iron Helix, a breakthrough PC game that won numerous industry awards and sold close to a million copies worldwide
- Developed and Directed Bad Mojo; a product that went on to become one of the most popular adventure games of its time
- Responsible for business development, strategic relations and marketing
- Sat on the company’s board of directors
- Assisted in raising more than $3 million dollars of venture capitol
- Managed a state-of-the-art multimedia production facility with over 30 artists and animators
- Wrote company business plan, game design documents and marketing collateral including press releases, clue books, user manuals, sell-sheets and packaging copy
Product Manager/Mgr. Business Development/ Evangelist
Paracomp/Macromedia, 1989 –1991
- Product Manager for an animation playback engine called PACO (a precursor to Apple's QuickTime)
- Worked with third party developer to create specifications, features and UI
- Managed the development process through beta and gold master
- Created packaging, sell-sheets, ads and marketing campaign for PACO
- Developed ads and copy for several award winning multimedia tools
- Directed the strategic development and business relations for the company
- Managed public relations, press events, tradeshows and presentations to corporate accounts
- Developed the company VAR program
- Represented company at all key industry events, conferences and end-user groups
- Managed strategic sales accounts for Paracomp-Macromind
EDUCATION
Bachelors of Arts, Communications/Minor in Advertising,
Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY, 1987
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
- PC Adventure Game of the Year/2004: Bad Mojo - Writer, Creator & Producer
- Brilliant Digital Dancing Pixel Animation Contest 2001 – Best Comedy – Caddies, Writer/Creator
- Pulse/Warner Brothers Adrenaline Animation Contest 2001 – 2nd Place – Li’l Green Men, Writer/Creator
- World Animation Conference – 2001. Internet Animation - Ist Place, Li'l Green Men, Writer/Creator
- Literal Latte 6th Annual Fiction Award – 2000 First Prize – The Serpent Box and the Poison Jar, Writer
- World Animation Conference – 2000. Internet Animation - 2nd Place, Li'l Green Men, Writer/Creator
- Rez Fest – 2000 Internet Animation - Touring Festival, Li'l Green Men, Writer, Creator & Producer
- Electric Image Animation Contest- 1996. Multimedia Category - 2nd Place, Bad Mojo, Writer/Director
- New Media Magazine Invision Award – 1996. Award of Excellence - Bad Mojo, Writer/Director
- New Media Magazine Invision Award – 1996. Silver Medal/Best Role Playing Game - Bad Mojo,Writer/Director
- New Media Magazine Invision Award – 1996. Gold Medal/Best Story/Script - Bad Mojo, Writer/Director PC Games Magazine Murphy Award – 1996. Best Graphics - Bad Mojo, Writer, Creator & Producer
- MacWorld Magazine Hall of Fame Award – 1996. Best Role Playing Game - Bad Mojo, Writer/Director GameSpot Hits the Spot Award/Best Adventure Game – 1994 – Iron Helix ,Writer, Co-creator & Designer
- New Media Magazine Invision Award – 1994. Silver Medal/Best Story/Script – Iron Helix, Writer
- MacUser Magazine Eddy Award Finalist – 1993Best New Game – Iron Helix, Writer, Co-creator & Designer
- MacroMedia People's Choice Award - Best Game – 1993 – Iron Helix, Writer, Co-creator & Designer
FUN & RECREATION
- · Writing
- · Photography
- · Hiking, Camping
- · Reading
- · Film, Music and Cultural Enthusiast
- · Last great book read: On Photography, Susan Sontag
- · Last great movie watched: Tetro, Francis Ford Coppola
- · What I’m listening to: Tom Waits, Orphans
- · What online game I’m playing: Hajime
- · What download: None
- · Social: Backyard Monsters
- · Facebook: Bumperstars
- · Favorite game of all time: Out of this World
