Executive Moves At D3, GameTrailers

Two companies have announced executive moves, with D3Publisher of America hiring former Activision acquisitions VP Bill Anker as its new VP of business development, and GameTrailers director of business development Brad Winters promoted to general manager. D3Publisher says Anker will "oversee D3PA’s content and product acquisition activities on a global basis and manage the company’s relationships with licensors to develop quality interactive entertainment based upon licensed franchise brands." Anker formerly has worked in the sales department of Softkat, and has since held sales and business development positions at Merisel’s and Activision, where, at the latter, D3 says he helped grow the company to more than 1500 worldwide employees and $1 billion in annual sales. Said D3 executive VP and COO Yoji Takenaka, “Bill brings more than 20 years of experience in the software business to D3PA. His experience and relationships will be key in acquiring opportunities that include original intellectual property and licensing properties with the goal of driving D3PA to a greater position within the video game publishing industry in the coming year.” MTV Networks says new general manager Brad Winters will "oversee the day-to-day operations of GameTrailers.com as well as the management of the Web site's role within MTVN's broadcast and digital programming initiatives around video games," as well as overseeing business development at the Spike Digital Entertainment Group. MTVN says Winters was part of the original management team brought directly after the site first launched in 2003, where he managed all business development and content licensing. Winters has previously held positions at news outlet GameDaily. Said Spike Digital senior VP Jon Slusser, "Brad has been with GameTrailers since the beginning, contributing instrumentally to its growth and success. His expertise in business development and operations combined with his leadership capabilities and passion for the site will take GameTrailers to the next level."