MTV Gets New Head Of Integrated Marketing

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Variety reports that MTV has assigned a new head of integrated marketing. Jordan Berman has joined the network as senior VP overseeing integrated marketing for the network s television, online and mobile properties, as well as handling branded entertainment and long-form programming. Berman has held media and marketing positions at AT&T and Showtime, and is the founder of online entertainment site Shorn Entertainment. Variety says Berman’s hiring is part of a string of additions and promotions at MTV, listing nine other senior personnel changes since November 2009. Read more at Variety.

As Gamers Get More Social, Fewer Go Casual

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Writing for Adweek, Mike Shields looks at the social gaming phenomenon’s effect on traditional online casual games. Popular game destinations such as Yahoo Games, Pogo and AOL Games are seeing double digit percentage dips in their audiences while Facebook fare such as FarmVille and Mafia Wars continue to attract more gamers. Shields gets insight into the shift from experts and game makers. Read his article at Adweek.

Apple’s Aversion To Social Media

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Writing for Ad Age, Michael Learmonth looks at how Apple has mostly avoided getting caught up in the social media marketing phenomenon. As one person Learmonth talks to puts it, Apple has willfully abstained at a time when everyone else is hopping on this bandwagon. Read his article at Ad Age.

Game Entrepreneurial Organization Seeks Charter Members

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The Entertainment Media Council, an organization established in 2008 to service the needs of entrepreneurs, chief executives and senior managers in the game industry, has rolled out its Charter Membership Program.  Here s the full text of their announcement, which includes a link to the EMC web site to sign up:

Entertainment Media Council Reveals Charter Membership Program

Entertainment Media Council, the first and only U.S. association for entrepreneurs and corporate leaders in the interactive entertainment business, today revealed that the new organization is now signing charter members.

Founded in 2008, Entertainment Media Council serves business decision-makers such as entrepreneurs, C-level executives, and senior managers who own or lead companies in every category throughout the interactive entertainment supply chain.

“Entertainment Media Council exists to transform the way the game is played and advance the industry to the next level,” according to founder Morgan Ramsay. “The path we have chosen is difficult, but the rewards will be great. We are seeking Charter Members, businesses whose leaders believe in our mission, to help us forward.”

For their commitment, Charter Members will receive lifetime recognition and honorary lifetime memberships for key personnel. Charter Members will be responsible for empowering the association and, by extension, the industry as a whole to:

 

  • increase the success rate of new firms;
  • stabilize the business landscape;
  • explore and create new business models;
  • reduce unnecessary and wasteful layoffs;
  • and effect other significant changes.

 

Interested parties are encouraged to visit the official website, www.emcouncil.org, which has been expanded with more information about Entertainment Media Council, the board of directors and advisory group, and the value of individual and charter membership.

 

About Entertainment Media Council

Entertainment Media Council is the first and only U.S. association that exclusively serves the individual needs and interests of entrepreneurs, C-level executives, and senior managers in the interactive entertainment business.

OnLive To Launch In June

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OnLive is rolling out its cloud gaming service in the US on June 17, reports Joystiq. The company says the service will be available for PC and Mac users at a fee of about $15 a month to stream games. Game rentals and purchases will carry an additional charge. Joystiq says OnLive is offering three free months of service to the first 25,000 people who register. Read more at Joystiq.

Netflix Considering Nintendo DS service

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Netflix is exploring whether Nintendo DS owners are interested in having its film and TV streaming service. Kotaku reports that the company has launched an online survey asking whether owners of the handheld console would pay for the service. Kotaku says the service setup would be similar to what Netflix is offering on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Read more at Kotaku.

Dead Space Contest Seeks Dismemberment Ideas

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Blast Magazine reports on a contest launched by Visceral Games for its upcoming sequel in EA s Dead Space game franchise. The developer is running a contest seeking ideas for a new dismemberment mechanic for Dead Space 2, which is slated for release on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC early next year. Mutilating enemies is a key game play feature in the game. Entries can be submitted as text descriptions, still images or video through a dedicated Facebook page. The winner will have their idea as well as their likeness featured in the game. Blast says the contest launched this week and will run through March 26. Read more at Blast.

Now Showing On PSN

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Sony has struck a deal with the six major Hollywood studios to bring HD movies for rental and purchase through PlayStation Network, reports Edge-Online. In addition to Sony Pictures, the company has secured films from Disney, Universal, Paramount, Warner Bros., and Twentieth Century Fox. Among the 19 films already available on the network through PlayStation 3 are recent blockbusters such as Paramount’s Star Trek and Paranormal Activity, Warner Bros. The Hangover, Universal’s Inglorious Basterds, and Sony’s own 2012, District 9, and Zombieland. At the time of this post, neither Edge-Online’s report nor Sony’s internal announcement had any mention of prices. Read more at Edge-Online.

Metro From Hell

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Haunting visual effects highlight this trailer for THQ and developer 4a-games horror-shooter Metro 2033. Watch it at GameSpot.