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Apr-29-2008Kleiner hires EA's creative head(topic overview)
CONTENTS:
- William "Bing" Gordon, who helped start video game company Electronic Arts and is its chief creative officer, will join venture firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers in June as a partner. (More...)
- "Bing possesses a rare combination of tremendous creative insight and keen business judgment," said KPCB Partner John Doerr in a news release. (More...)
- Since helping start Electronics Arts in 1982, Gordon has held several jobs with the game maker. (More...)
- Besides well-known venture capitalists like John Doerr, Kleiner Perkins partners include former Vice President Al Gore and Sun Microsystems co-founder Bill Joy. (More...)
- " His success with dynamic and engaging digital entertainment and consumer media is invaluable for innovators in mobility, social networks, gaming and entertainment indeed, in any area that interacts directly with consumers (More...)
- Gordon has been EA's CCO for 10 years, and also accepted a faculty chair position in 2005 at the University of Southern California's Interactive Media Division. (More...)
- Eidos Interactive parent company SCi Entertainment Group announced today that it has rejected a new offer from an undisclosed party, citing the compan. (More...)
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William "Bing" Gordon, who helped start video game company Electronic Arts and is its chief creative officer, will join venture firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers in June as a partner. Gordon will take the title of chief creative officer emeritus at Redwood City-based EA (NASDAQ: ERTS), a company he helped to start in 1982. He sits on the board of directors at Amazon.com and has a faculty post at the University of Southern California as part of a program EA invested in there. [1] Chief Creative Officer and EA co-founder joining Kleiner Perkins as a partner. William "Bing" Gordon, Electronic Arts's chief creative officer, will be leaving the monolithic company he co-founded in 1982 to join venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers as a partner in June.[2] Electronic Arts chief creative officer William "Bing" Gordon (pictured left) will leave the company to work at venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers this coming June. Gordon's departure ends a 25-year run at the company, which he co-founded in 1982. He will join the Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers firm as a partner, lending his expertise to entrepreneurs in consumer technologies.[3] EA Co-Founder To Depart For iFund Backer Kleiner Perkins Venture capital firm KPCB -- the investor group behind Apple's $100 million iFund to seed third party iPhone development -- has announced that Electronic Arts co-founder and CCO William 'Bing' Gordon will be joining the firm as Partner as of June 2008. The firm says Gordon will retain some connection with Electronic Arts as its Chief Creative Officer Emeritus, and will "return to the company to lead periodic workshops on innovation with EA Studio leaders."[4] EA Co-Founder To Depart For iFund Backer Kleiner Perkins Venture capital firm KPCB -- the investor group behind Apple's $100 million iFund to seed third party iPhone development -- has announced that Electronic Arts co-founder and CCO William 'Bing' Gordon will be joining the firm as Partner as of June 2008. Nintendo Highlights Growing Third Party, Touch Generations Success Expanding on the company's previously reported fiscal 2008 results, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has broken down its figures and predictions, highlighting the success of third parties on DS and Wii, and of its broad-audience focused titles like Nintendogs and Brain Training.[4]
William "Bing" Gordon, a videogame industry veteran and the longest-serving employee of Electronic Arts Inc., is leaving the company to become a partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, the venture capital firm behind Google Inc., Amazon.com Inc. and others.[5]
Bing Gordon, who has served as EA's Chief Creative Officer for the past 10 years, leaves in June to become a partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm that has provided seed money for some of the world's most successful technology companies. In his new role, Gordon will provide his unique insight and expertise to entrepreneurs in consumer technologies, KPCB said in a statement announcing the move.[6] At Kleiner Perkins, the former exec will lend the VC firm insight into the entertainment and consumer technology sectors. Gordon will also maintain his relationship with his former employer as chief creative officer emeritus, "leading periodic workshops on innovation with EA Studio leaders." Speaking to Newsweek, Gordon attributed his reasons for leaving EA to a variety of factors. Familiarity with the VC firm was his leading reason, saying, "I've known the leading partners at Kleiner since John Doerr and Brook Byers made a founding investment in Electronic Arts in '82." Gordon also said that emergent technologies were of particular interest to him, and that he had a simple desire to move on after his extended tenure with the publisher. "I've got 15 more years to do something--might be cool to do something else," he told Newsweek.[7]
Gordon co-founded Electronic Arts in 1982, and, says KPCB, was "integral to the creation of more than 20 different award-winning game franchises, including Madden NFL, The Sims and Need for Speed," serving variously as EA's marketing executive VP, EA Studios executive VP, and entertainment production senior VP. Apart from its role in setting up the iFund, Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers has, since its inception in 1972, backed entrepreneurs from ventures including AOL, Amazon.com, Citrix, Compaq Computer, Electronic Arts, Genentech, Genomic Health, Google, Intuit, Juniper Networks, Netscape, Lotus, Sun Microsystems, Symantec, VeriSign and Xilinx. Said Gordon on the move, "There is a new generation who have grown up 'always on, always digital.' Driven by their creativity and new usage habits, entertainment and communications are on the verge of previously unimaginable changes.[4] Gordon holds a B.A. degree from Yale University and an M.B.A. degree from Stanford University. Since its founding in 1972, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers has backed entrepreneurs in over 500 ventures, including AOL, Amazon.com, Citrix, Compaq Computer, Electronic Arts, Genentech, Genomic Health, Google, Intuit, Juniper Networks, Netscape, Lotus, Sun Microsystems, Symantec, Verisign and Xilinx. In February 2008, KPCB announced its $100 million iFund initiative targeted at innovation in the Apple iPhone and iPod touch platform.[8]
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers said Monday that Gordon will join the Menlo Park-based firm as a partner in June. Electronic Arts, the maker of popular video games such as "Madden NFL" and "The Sims," is among a long list of high-tech success stories initially funded by Kleiner Perkins.[9]
No longer. Venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers announced today that EA's long-time chief creative officer would be joining its ranks as partner beginning in June.[7] Publisher's chief creative officer bids publisher adieu after 25 years to join venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins.[7]
"Bing possesses a rare combination of tremendous creative insight and keen business judgment," said KPCB Partner John Doerr in a news release. "His success with dynamic and engaging digital entertainment and consumer media is invaluable for innovators in mobility, social networks, gaming and entertainment – indeed, in any area that interacts directly with consumers." Kleiner Perkins, as the firm is commonly called, was founded in the 1970s and became famous during the dot-com boom of the 1990s for its investments in companies like Amzon.com (on whose board Gordon sits), Google, Netscape and AOL. [6] "Bing possesses a rare combination of tremendous creative insight and keen business judgment," said KPCB Partner John Doerr. "His success with dynamic and engaging digital entertainment and consumer media is invaluable for innovators in mobility, social networks, gaming and entertainment -- indeed, in any area that interacts directly with consumers." Speaking with Level Up's N'Gai Croal, Gordon confirmed that the first week of June will be his last in his current position at EA, as well as touched on why he's making the move. "Being on campus with young people in videogame classes; seeing what they're interested in; seeing what's going on with the Internet turning into new kinds of platforms, from iPhone to Facebook and Amazon Web Services -- I've gotten fired up about an all-new ride," he said.[2]
Gordon, who will join Kleiner in June 2008, will focus on the venture capital firm's investments in consumer technologies. "His success with dynamic and engaging digital entertainment and consumer media is invaluable for innovators in mobility, social networks, gaming and entertainment," Kleiner partner John Doerr said in a statement.[10]
MENLO PARK, Calif. (AP) — Electronic Arts Inc. co-founder William "Bing" Gordon plans to help one of the nation's top venture capital firms find promising investment opportunities in digital entertainment.[9] April 28, 2008 - After working more than 20 years for the company he co-founded at the beginning of the videogame boom, William "Bing" Gordon is leaving Electronic Arts for the investment firm that helped him get his start.[6] For the past 25 years, William "Bing" Gordon has been a staple at publishing giant Electronic Arts.[7]
For the last 10 years, Gordon was chief creative officer at Redwood City-based Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS). Gordon will maintain his relationship with Electronic Arts as chief creative officer emeritus, and return to the company to lead periodic workshops on innovation with EA Studio leaders.[11] I cannot wait to join the firm, and work directly with an all-new generation of entrepreneurs." Although he's moving on from the successful game company he helped found, Gordon won't be leaving EA entirely. He'll retain the title "Chief Creative Officer Emeritus" and will periodically return to lead workshops on innovation with EA studio heads. During his tenure at EA, Gordon has been instrumental in the creation of high-profile game franchises like Madden NFL, The Sims, and Need For Speed.[6] Gordon was integral to the creation of more than 20 different award-winning game franchises, including Madden NFL, The Sims and Need for Speed. During his tenure, he led business, entertainment and marketing groups, helping the company innovate and evolve the interactive entertainment medium across console, PC and mobile platforms. Prior to his role as Chief Creative Officer, Gordon served as Executive Vice President of Marketing, Executive Vice President of EA Studios and as Senior Vice President of Entertainment Production.[8]
Gordon has served as chief creative officer at EA, the largest U.S. videogame publisher by sales, for the past 10 years. He oversaw the creation of some of EA's most successful game franchises, including Madden NFL and Need for Speed.[10] For the past decade, Mr. Gordon, 58 years old, has been chief creative officer at EA of Redwood City, Calif., the biggest games publisher by sales.[5]
During the past decade, Gordon has served as chief creative officer at EA and he will continue in an advisory role at EA as Chief Creative Officer Emeritus. Gordon joined the company as one of the earliest employees working for founder Trip Hawkins and he is the last of the original employees who were pictured in EA's first magazine ad with the caption, "Can a computer game make you cry?" (Hawkins founded EA so his team could make games that were as emotionally involved and rich in storytelling as movies.) We spoke with Gordon this afternoon about why he made the move.[12]
Once joining KPCB in June, Gordon will still retain ties to EA with the suitably professorial title of Chief Creative Officer Emeritus.[2]
Since helping start Electronics Arts in 1982, Gordon has held several jobs with the game maker. He has been the Redwood City-based company's chief content officer for a decade and will retain an emeritus title in the position after he joins Kleiner Perkins. [9] MENLO PARK, Calif.--( BUSINESS WIRE )--Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, the Silicon Valley venture capital firm, today announced that William " Bing " Gordon will join the firm as Partner in June 2008. Gordon will provide his unique insight and expertise to entrepreneurs in consumer technologies.[8] The venture capital firm's other prominent investments include Internet search leader Google Inc., Genentech Inc., Sun Microsystems Inc., AOL and Amazon.com Inc., whose board of directors includes Gordon.[9]
Besides well-known venture capitalists like John Doerr, Kleiner Perkins partners include former Vice President Al Gore and Sun Microsystems co-founder Bill Joy. [9] "I've known the leading partners at Kleiner since John Doerr and Brook Byers made a founding investment in Electronic Arts in '82," Gordon told Newsweek.[3] Gordon is a member of the board of directors of Amazon.com. In 2005, he accepted a faculty chair position at the University of Southern California's Interactive Media Division after Electronic Arts invested in the fledgling program. He co-taught Videogame Prototype Design at Stanford University, and serves at Yale University on the " Digital Yale " presidential advisory council and as advisor to Yale ' s computer science faculty on its " Computing and the Arts " initiative. He is a trustee at the Urban School of San Francisco.[8] Well-known for driving creativity and reality in the digital world, Gordon co-founded Electronic Arts in 1982. It is now the world ' s leading independent developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for advanced console systems.[8]
Ever since KPCB funded Electronic Arts' initial business plan in 1982, I have watched the KPCB team find and support brilliant company-makers to harness disruptive digital technologies that benefit people.[4]
" Bing possesses a rare combination of tremendous creative insight and keen business judgment, " said KPCB Partner John Doerr[8] Ted Schlein, KPCB Partner, commented, " Adding Bing to our team enhances our investment perspective and will benefit our ventures across the consumer technology landscape. As applications and services evolve more and more rapidly, Bing ' s depth of experience and industry-wide respect will help our entrepreneurs realize the full potential of their innovations[8]
" His success with dynamic and engaging digital entertainment and consumer media is invaluable for innovators in mobility, social networks, gaming and entertainment indeed, in any area that interacts directly with consumers [8] "There is a new generation who have grown up 'always on, always digital,'" said Gordon. "Driven by their creativity and new usage habits, entertainment and communications are on the verge of previously unimaginable changes.[6] There are a new generation of cool people coming in. It looks like the company is in good hands for the next five years.[12] BG: In the last year, we expanded my job and covered what I did with more people. That group will persist as a central group reporting into the CEO. It's like the equivalent of a CTO's organization. That creative office has expanded.[12]
Gordon has been EA's CCO for 10 years, and also accepted a faculty chair position in 2005 at the University of Southern California's Interactive Media Division. Among other things, he has also co-taught Videogame Prototype Design at Stanford University, and is an advisor to Yale University's computer science faculty on its "Computing and the Arts" initiative. [2] "My personal tastes have changed," Gordon added. "So if I can have dinner with John Doerr and Al Gore versus some people trying to make the next console game, I'm finding their grown-up, global thinking just more fun.[3] " find entrepreneurs and ideas in all things digital. There's three companies they've invested in with people I used to work with, none of whom are doing games. They're all doing other things in digital media that are wildly cool."[3]
Eidos Interactive parent company SCi Entertainment Group announced today that it has rejected a new offer from an undisclosed party, citing the compan. [3]
SOURCES
1. Electronic Arts' creative chief to join Kleiner Perkins - San Francisco Business Times:
2. EA CCO Leaves for Venture Capital Firm news from 1UP.com
3. EA Creative Chief William 'Bing' Gordon Departs - Shacknews - PC Games, PlayStation, Xbox 360 and Wii video game news, previews and downloads
4. Gamasutra - EA Co-Founder To Depart For iFund Backer Kleiner Perkins
5. Free Preview - WSJ.com
6. IGN: EA Co-founder Joins Venture Capital Firm
7. EA CCO Bing Gordon departs - GameSpot Mobile News
8. William ''Bing'' Gordon Joins Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers as Partner
9. The Associated Press: Electronic Arts co-founder joining Kleiner Perkins VC firm
10. Kleiner hires EA's creative head | Markets | Markets News | Reuters
11. EA co-founder Gordon joins Kleiner Perkins - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:
12. Bing Gordon leaves Electronic Arts to join Kleiner Perkins » VentureBeat
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