RedOctane Grabs Sumner As CEO

Guitar Hero publisher RedOctane has officially announced the appointment of industry veteran Kelly Sumner to the position of Chief Executive Officer, as the company seeks to establish a global presence in the games industry. The Harmonix-developed, RedOctane-published Guitar Hero recently won five awards, including "Innovation in Gaming" accolade, at the AIAS Awards in Las Vegas, and its publisher, which was formerly best known for its peripheral manufacturing and game rental-related services, is now intending to step up its activities further. Sumner's most recent prominent role was CEO of Take Two Interactive, where he oversaw the global release of Grand Theft Auto III at Take Two in 2001, and he started his career at Commodore Computers all the way back in 1978. "RedOctane is a dream for me," says Kelly Sumner, CEO, RedOctane. "Following a period where I've been in a non-exec role with this tremendously exciting company, I'm delighted to return to the industry I love in a position many would kill for."