Namco, NCSoft, Left Behind Add Execs

Namco Networks, Left Behind Games, and NCSoft Europe have each reported new appointments within each company's staff, with Sprint veteran Jason Ford, analyst David J. Klein and PR exec David Blundell respectively joining up. U.S. wireless developer and publisher Namco Networks announced the appointment of Jason Ford as vice president of strategy and planning. In this new position, Ford will be responsible for strategic planning related to future products, technologies and distribution channels in existing and new markets. Previously, Ford served as the general manager of games for Sprint Nextel, where his responsibilities included strategic planning, marketing and management of wireless games, resulting in millions of game downloads. In addition, Christian-themed game developer Left Behind Games announced that it has appointed industry veteran and analyst David J. Klein to the position of senior vice president. As an active NASD Series 7 and Series 66, Klein is anticipated to help Left Behind Games increase shareholder value by establishing key strategic relationships with industry players, while enhancing the company's relationships with broker-dealers. Klein's 20 plus years of experience in the game industry started as one of the original promoters of Nolan Bushnell's Pong for Atari. He was also on the original team at the founding of Electronic Arts, where he notably established their North American third party joint publishing model. Finally, MMO publishing arm NCsoft Europe confirmed the appointment of David Blundell as European PR Manager with immediate effect. David, who was previously at KOCH Media, brings four years PC experience in pan-European PR to the Brighton-based team. Throughout his career, David has brought several high-profile titles to the market, most recently including X3: Reunion and City Life for the PC, and Kingdom Under Fire: Heroes for the Xbox.