Chris Hood 2010 Board Statement
Candidate Position Statement:
With more than 20 years of entertainment marketing and digital product development experience, I recently reenergized the IGDA in Southern California. I wanted to provide the local community with an opportunity to formally come together, share with industry peers and enhance our gaming lives through the IGDA. This is the same theme I want to bring to the national IGDA Board of Directors. I know my background will help market, spread and engage the membership of the IGDA.
In 2009 I restarted the IGDA Orange County California chapter and in 2010 was voted the Chair for the chapter. In addition, since December 2009 I have been providing guidance to reboot the IGDA in Los Angeles. Together with a passionate steering committee, the LA chapter officially kicked off in January 2010. Both chapters see 100-150 local professionals, students and developers each month and the number is still growing. With the success we've seen in Southern California, there still is a lot of work to be done to continue broadening the IGDA and making our organization accessible and meaningful for all developers, professionals and students who touch the video game industry.
My goals for the IGDA would be:
- Supply opportunities for all chapters to meet monthly and grow their local community.
- Offer a way for professionals to find career opportunities and grow their experience.
- Supply a voice and increase visibility for the game industry to the national media.
- Foster new partnerships with educational institutes and digital media groups.
- Acquire and engage new members through diversity, education and support programs.
In 2008 I founded a startup game company called BooHag Studios with the principal to supply consumers with new gaming worlds fueled by their passion for media. I've used this same philosophy to develop product strategies and marketing campaigns for companies including Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., Monster.com, Reebok, Doritos, Axe, Fox Interactive, Electronic Arts, Sony Online Entertainment, Wolfpack Studios, Funcom and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
It's this same passion we all share for the video game industry and what I want to bring to the IGDA nationally. Together we can make the IGDA a great organization, and with your vote, I'll be there to help it happen!
Candidate Volunteer Contributions:
Orange County Chapter Chair (2009)
Los Angeles Chapter Coordinator (2009)
Northern Virginia / DC Metro Chapter Coordinator (2008)
Candidate Bio:
Chris Hood is a digital media veteran with 20 years of experience with marketing and product development in the film, music and video game industry. Today Hood chairs the IGDA Orange County chapter and coordinates the reboot efforts for the Los Angeles chapter. In 2008, Chris founded BooHag Studios, a startup game studio to expand the MMOG genre. Previously Chris has worked in developing digital strategies and marketing campaigns for companies including Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., Reebok, Academy of TV Arts and Sciences, Electronic Arts, Sony and Disney. In 2001, Chris invented the Digireel technology, the first digital on-screen advertising program for movie theatres. In 1998, Hood was a vocal advocate and writer for MMOG's. Chris began working in games as a retail sales manager in 1988.
Board Interivew Q and A:
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing game developers today? What should the IGDA's role be in addressing that challenge?
The biggest challenges facing game developers today is money and work, public relations, quality of life for developers and growth of our industry. Everyone is looking for ways to expand their knowledge, improve their teams and strengthen our industry. This will only happen through increased funding within the industry to drive new development and to make new jobs available. The IGDA should be available to work as an association to help foster the needs of our members. We need to be available to be an extension and voice to the public about what the video game industry is doing, what we are about and lend a hand in the daily life of the people to make our industry successful.
2. How do you expect to contribute to the IGDA Board? What qualifications or skills do you possess that will enhance your contributions?
My background includes 20 years of experience in various entertainment industries spanning film, music and video games. This experience will provide the board a broader range of understanding within the IGDA to support our members. Specifically, I bring to the board a vast understanding of marketing and public relations to successfully promote the goals and strategies for the IGDA. In addition, I have successfully re-energized the efforts of the IGDA in Southern California by launching chapters in Orange County and Los Angeles. My efforts have already increased IGDA membership in a very short time. I plan to use my expertise to continuously strengthen the IGDA not only in Southern California, but online and throughout the country at all of the local chapters!
3. How much time do you expect to volunteer to the IGDA? How will you manage this commitment?
I currently volunteer about 12-15 hours per week to the IGDA. This is in the form of promoting the IGDA throughout Southern California, growing our local chapters in Orange County and Los Angeles and working with other organizations including WIGI, Writers Guild of America, Academy of TV Arts and Sciences and dozens of local colleges and universities to promote the IGDA.
4. As an IGDA board member, you're often asked to get things done on a short timeframe and tight budget. What do you think a reasonable expectation of a board member's contribution is? How will you accomplish your goals as a board member?
In my background I have consistently performed tasks in extremely short timeframes. This is what the IGDA needs as we look at strategies to grow the association, expand our marketing efforts and engage our members in new digital mediums. In today's world, instant and direct communication is essential and being agile enough to promote our efforts and adapt to the demands of game developers is essential in being successful. My background in digital marketing, coordination and management will help the IGDA get there!
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