Electronic Arts & Maxis Senior Public Relations Manager
I had just been laid off at Sigil Games when I got a call from a recruiter at EA, to see if I would be interested in working with veteran game designer Will Wright on what would be his last game, Spore. I will never forget how honored I felt, just to receive that phone call, and then when I accepted the position and got to meet Will for the first time. He is best known as the designer of the games Sim City and The Sims, some of the best selling games of all time.
My situation at EA was unique because I was the only PR Manager at the company who was only dedicated to one game. I also reported in to EA headquarters in Redwood City but I mostly worked from the Maxis Studio in Emeryvill.e. During my time, I managed two external specialized P.R. firms to better reach specific niche markets as well as managing all U.S. public relations efforts myself. I also coordinated regularly with EA's international teams and joined the press tours across Europe and into Norway and Russia. As the original game came closer to launch, the team started working on an add-on called Spore Creature Creator and I led all of the initial public relations efforts for that as well.
I also had the honor of attending the BAFTA awards in London with Will as he became the first person in the video game industry to be recognized with a Fellowship Award. Will and I worked so well together that he asked me to be a consultant several years later for his company Stupid Fun Club and their unconventionally created TV show Bar Karma.