Electronic Arts raises Euro boss to world role

Electronic Arts (EA), the world’s biggest video games publisher, has promoted marketing director for northern Europe Jon Rissik to director of worldwide marketing and operations.

Rissik will report to vice-president of publishing support Steve Seabolt and will be based at EA’s headquarters in San Francisco.

Rissik will be replaced as marketing director for northern Europe by Roy Meredith, previously UK studio marketing director. Meredith will report to Paul Jackson, northern region vice-president and managing director. Tracey Bunce will continue in her current position of UK marketing manager but will now report to Meredith.

These are the first major marketing changes atEA since Clive Downie was appointed as European marketing director for EA Canada Studios in December (MW December 5, 2002). Downie reports to Jonathan Bunney, senior director of product marketing for Europe.

EA’s biggest release this year will be its FIFA Football 2004 game, due out at the end of October. Last August, EA appointed Wieden & Kennedy Amsterdam to promote its FIFA Football 2003 title. EA picked Wieden & Kennedy over its usual creative agency, Odiorne Wilde Narraway & Partners, because it wanted an agency with experience in advertising brands associated with football.

EA’s other big gaming titles include Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and the Sims range.