Jim Huntley
Associate Professor at University of Southern California
Jim Huntley
Associate Professor at University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
Overview
Work Experience
Associate Professor
2022 - Current
In a Full-Time, tenured faculty role, I continue to be Lead Faculty for USC Games' prestigious capstone class, Advanced Games Projects (AGP), collaborating with over 9 faculty and teaching over 160 enrolled students + nearly 100 volunteers. I am also responsible for AGP title branding and marketing as well as coordinating between vendors and student teams to facilitate asset creation. In addition to my prior role's responsibilities, I am also one of the primary points of contact for the program's industry engagement efforts, including job placement, internships, and campus/student engagement. I also serve on the Admissions and Curriculum committees, respectively, and represent the program at trade shows and events.
Visiting Assistant Professor
2020 - 2022
In a Full-Time faculty role, I am Lead Faculty for USC Games' prestigious capstone class, Advanced Games Projects (AGP), collaborating with over 9 faculty and teaching over 160 enrolled students + nearly 100 volunteers. In addition to my prior role's responsibilities, I lead faculty for the University's official Esports initiatives, under USC Trojan Esports and am one of the founders of USC Games' Gerald A Lawson Endowment Fund for Black and Indigenous American Students.
USC Games Faculty
2017 - 2020
In a Part-Time faculty role, I teach USC Games engineering, design, and other dev-discipline-focused students about Marketing in the interactive industry. As an act of service, I also lead the USC Games program's marketing efforts, am the faculty advisor for the USC Esports Union, serve on a leadership team that drives the program's fundraising/industry outreach initiatives and spearhead their digital and streaming efforts, including social media and the creation and execution of the annual USC Games Expo. #uscgamesexpo
Venture Partner
2022
Venture Partner at Griffin Gaming Partners, a new venture capital fund founded by Peter Levin and Phil Sanderson in partnership with LionTree focused purely on investments in the gaming industry.
Consultant
2015
• Working with startups and growing enterprises to develop comprehensive business plans for entry into consumer products markets. • Consulting with a variety of companies, from startups to established companies, across a variety of different industries, including food, online delivery, packaged goods, interactive, gaming, and higher education (USC). • Devise and implemented web initiatives for multiplayer user environments/virtual worlds. • First created consulting arm in 2006.
Head of Marketing - US and Latin America
2013 - 2015
•Leading SodaStream US/Mexico initiatives, including message optimization, media mix, digital planning, research, and ROI analysis. •Repositioning brand with ideal consumer segment and rebuilding NA marketing team from scratch. •Creating assets to tie in with new positioning, and developing unique tactical programs to drive profitable topline sales.
Vice President, Global Brand Management
2011 - 2012
• Responsible for two key original IP brands’ global marketing activity: Darksiders 2 and Devil’s Third. • Manage team of six direct reports and multiple creative agencies in the coordination of all global marketing efforts for the Action Game franchise, including ownership of a P&Ls that generate $300MM in gross revenue across both franchises. • As Digital Games Studio Marketing Lead out of Phoenix Studio, created slate of digital games for 2012-2015, including identifying licenses, greenlight proposals, working with studios on development plans, and drafting marketing strategy. • Presented THQ with a structure to centralize strategy, development, and demand creation for this new distribution model.
Vice President, Americas Marketing
2009 - 2011
• Responsible for THQ marketing in North and South America, driving successful Americas launch of original IPs, Darksiders, Homefront, and Metro 2033, as well as licensed games such as UFC 2010 and WWE Smackdown 2011. • Managed team of 20 across multiple disciplines, including marketing, PR, digital, and trade marketing, as well as external PR, media, and creative agencies. • Managed Americas P&L which generated $550mm in annual revenue and $40mm annual marketing budgets across multiple titles.
Senior Director, Kids and Family Games Marketing
2007 - 2009
• Responsible for global brand management of $500MM+ business, including key licenses – Nickelodeon and Disney. • Managed long-term corporate strategic planning, licensing-in and licensing-out, and First Party liaising. • Developed marketing plans to drive incremental sell-through for Kids game segment.
VP Marketing / General Mgr Games
2005 - 2006
• As VP of Marketing, responsible for marketing for the Bratz and Babyz brands, as well as managing all web development and activity; liaised with licensees, and developed/implemented cross-platform promotional initiatives. • General Manager of MGA Games, managing design, development, marketing, engineering, finance, and operations. • Led the development of measurement processes (such as line-item P&Ls, coupon redemption to measure marketing tactics, and regional tests of marketing programs) used for the first time at MGA.
Marketing Director
2001 - 2005
• Responsible for development of marketing concepts, design, creation, production, sell-in and execution of $40MM Games & Puzzles product lines, reporting into VP of Marketing. • Managed sales function and planning for Games & Puzzles group, driving business gains of 40% in 2004.
Marketing Director
1999 - 2001
• Head of West Coast branch of Michigan agency, managing business for Nestle USA (NUSA), their largest client. • Led NUSA Beverage Account Team in the conceptualization, development, and execution of co-marketing programming. • Responsible for programs for 8 of Nestle’s largest brands across NUSA Beverage Division, including Taster’s Choice, Juicy Juice, Nesquik, Nestea, Coffee-mate, Kern’s/Libby’s Nectars, and Nescafe. • Primary point of communication between NUSA Beverage Division sales/retailer representatives and marketing.
Senior Manager Promotions Marketing
1996 - 1999
• Developed strategic plans, innovative promotions, integrated marketing events, and acquisition opportunities. • Created consumer and trade programs for 20+ brands across Big G Cheerios and Adult Business Units, including Cheerios, Wheaties, Total, and Chex, from concept development and management approval through launch. • Investigated, negotiated for, and launched multiple licensed products, including Big G/Betty Crocker-themed magazines, merchandise, and clothing (cooking magazines, co-branded special food products, software, merchandise, clothing, etc.). • As Promotion Manager, responsible for $25MM+ promotion budget and strategic planning/execution for Big G Cereals, Betty Crocker Products, and General Mills Snacks, including Yellow Box Cheerios, Honey Nut, Frosted Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Cocoa Puffs, and Golden Grahams, Hamburger Helper, Bac*Os, and Specialty Potatoes. • Developed and executed Big G Divisional Events, including Hot Summer Fun (Six Flags, DQ), Salute to Savings (first Boxtops for Education national promotion), National Cheerios Nascar Event, and “Mega Betty” with Gold Medal Desserts.
Education
MS
1993 - 1995
BA
1989 - 1993
High School Diploma
1985 - 1989
Master of Science - MS
1993 - 1995