CBS Interactive appointed Simon Whitcombe as vice president of its Games group, where he'll oversee the company's strategies for GameSpot, GameFAQS, and GameRankings.
"With a career that spanned 15 years in the gaming industry, there is no one better suited to lead our gaming brands into the future," says Steve Snyder, the general manager of sports, games and music for CBS Interactive,
according to a report from TV business news site World Screen.
Previously, Whitcombe was the publishing director and senior vice president for Future US's Games, Music and Future Plus groups. Prior to that, he was the vice president and network director for Fox-owned consumer site IGN.
Adds Snyder, "His print and publishing experience, combined with his experience launching and promoting products, and managing established brands in the games, technology, music and sports industries will greatly benefit GameSpot and our other games brands."
Joshua Larson, who previously oversaw business strategy and product direction for the company's Games division, left the company in April 2008 following complaints of his alleged involvement in the
high-profile departure of former GameSpot editorial director Jeff Gerstmann.
Gerstmann left amid strong rumors that he had been terminated from his position after Eidos Interactive took issue with his review of
Kane & Lynch: Dead Men. Larson is currently vice president of Business Development at in-game advertising firm Double Fusion.
"GameSpot has built a reputation as the leading gaming website and I have long been an admirer of the brand," says Whitcombe. "I believe the product is well positioned to show further growth by continuing to evolve and innovate its content offering for today's gamers."
"I'm very excited to be working with such a talented group of people and look forward to helping take the brand to even greater heights."
