david-gosen
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Report: European marketing VP David Gosen leaves Microsoft
David Gosen has left his post as Microsoft's VP of Strategic Marketing for EMEA territories, two years after being brought on to help expand Microsoft's foothold in Europe. The former I-Play CEO and managing director of Nintendo Europe plans "to explore new opportunities outside of the company," according to MCV. Chris Lewis, the VP of interactive entertainment who will now oversee the European marketing team, suggests that Gosen has fulfilled his objective while at Microsoft. "The Xbox marketing team and Live business in EMEA has made great progress over the last two years," he said, "during a phase of consistent investment and innovation." The last we heard, Xbox 360 sales had crossed the 10 million mark in Europe alone. And now Gosen must answer the call of another brand that needs expansion in Europe. There's the Gosen-signal now! Gosen to the rescue!
Gosen: 60% of Wii Fit purchasers played it 'once'
David Gosen used to work for Nintendo of Europe, but after departing with the house that Mario built, he's made his way over to the Xbox division of Microsoft. That doesn't mean he has nothing to say about Nintendo and the Wii, however. In fact, he had some downright shocking things to say in regards to his old employer. "What Nintendo have done with the Wii is truly fantastic – there is no question about it. But I think sometimes there is a thin line between gimmick and great gameplay," he said. And, on top of that, he said his own company has research that shows Wii Fit doesn't present any kind of lasting value to those that have picked it up, because after they try it once, they don't try it again. "We've seen some research that says 60 percent of people who bought a Wii Fit play it once and don't play it again," he said. Now, if he had some papers with, like, spread sheets full of numbers and data on them, we'd take it at face value. But, considering the price (that would drive us to play the thing a bunch of times alone, but maybe we're just cheap bastards like that) and all of the content within, we're not sure we can trust him and swallow the red pill.See also: Retrospective: Nintendo's past peripherals%Gallery-24459%[Via videogaming247]
Microsoft hires former Nintendo exec to expand Euro footprint
Microsoft has opened its doors and brought on former I-Play and Nintendo Europe executive David Gosen to fill the role of Strategic Marketing VP for Microsoft's game business in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) territories. In his new role, Gosen will focus on expanding the European Market for the Xbox 360.Prior to putting on his Microsoft hat, Gosen spent more than five years as managing director of Nintendo's European arm, and most recently served as the CEO of mobile game developer and publisher I-Play. He will now report directly to Microsoft's European Interactive VP Chris Lewis, who sees the appointment as all part of Microsoft's new "laser-sharp focus" and its grand scheme to "widen the market for Xbox as a mass-market proposition," no doubt part of that whole 'Europe is key' party line the company toed late last year.
