Jobs roundup: Daybreak turns to Ham, Shanks out as president

It can be difficult keeping track of the various comings and goings in the games industry, which is why we've decided to start compiling them in semi-regular round-ups. If you have new appointments or transitions in your company that belong here, please get in touch.

New era dawns at Daybreak

As reported by Massively Overpowered, H1Z1 developer Daybreak has confirmed that Russell Shanks recently stepped down from his position as president of the company "to pursue other interests." In the meantime, Ji Ham will take over his duties as acting president. Ham is a principal and vice president at Daybreak parent company Columbus Nova. While Shanks only served as president of Daybreak for a little over a year (taking over after the departure of John Smedley), his roots with the company go back much further. He was at Daybreak predecessor Sony Online Entertainment for nearly 15 years, and was chief technology officer and co-founder of EverQuest developer Verant Interactive before that.

Paradox picks up Kim Nordström

Paradox Interactive will kick off 2017 by bringing on board Kim Nordström to head up the company's innovation and mobile efforts. Nordström is currently general manager of King's Malmö studio, and has also previously worked for Sony Computer Entertainment America on the PS4 as well as Southend Interactive.

"We have already initiated discussions with external studios to explore the possibility of building mobile versions of our franchises and are on the lookout for more studios as well as key talent to join Kim's team once he starts in January next year," Paradox CEO Fredrik Wester said. "At that point we will also start solidifying the plans for our best next steps in those areas. Kim has a great track record, but more importantly, an attitude and mindset that is the right fit for Paradox, and I am thrilled to welcome him onboard."

Funda Yakin is InnoGames new Director of Media & Market Development

Online game publisher Innogames has brought on board Funda Yakin to be its new director of media and market development. In her new role, Yakin will head up the company's TV marketing strategy and focus on expanding direct media partnerships.

"Thanks to her previous positions at Microsoft, NOKIA and freenet, Funda brings in over 15 years of experience in international marketing," InnoGames chief marketing officer Christian Pern said. "Her expertise covers both Above-and-Below-the-Line campaigns with a focus on high reach digital channels and TV. She is a perfect fit to our strong existing team at InnoGames. We welcome Funda and are looking forward to her contributions with InnoGames."

Mark Julio jumps to Razer

Mark "MarkMan" Julio has joined peripheral maker Razer as the company's new fighting game community and product consultant. Julio's ties to fighting games run deep; in addition to serving as the business development manager for the EVO Championship Series tournaments, Julio is founder and editor-in-chief of the long-running SDTekken community site and a brand and community advisor for Tekken maker Bandai Namco. He previously spent more than seven years with Mad Catz helping that company with its fighting game product lines and global community management.

Fabio Lo Zito joins Perfect World

Perfect World Europe B.V. has found a new senior PR manager in Fabio Lo Zito. He joins the company after stints with Goodgame Studios and InnoGames, where he worked his way up from a PR intern to senior PR manager.

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