Former Sega West CEO joins mobile startup Caperfly
Sega West CEO Mike Hayes left the company in April, and has now resurfaced as a "non-executive director" of UK-based Caperfly, Ltd., a company that makes games for iOS, Android and "emerging Smart TV platforms."
Caperfly was founded by former Codemasters executives, including Codemasters Studios VP of Development Gavin Cheshire, who now serves as CEO. The fledgling developer has yet to announce any specific projects.
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Press Release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Caperfly appoint former SEGA® CEO Mike Hayes as non-
Executive Director
Caperfly Ltd adds ex SEGA® America and Europe chief Mike Hayes to its
management team to assist with strategy & growth ambitions
Leamington Spa, UK, Wednesday 25th July 2012:
Caperfly Ltd, a brand new digital entertainment and media application business,
today announced the appointment of former SEGA® America and Europe CEO Mike
Hayes as a non-Executive Director for the company.
Caperfly aims to deliver high quality interactive titles to the iOS, Android and
emerging Smart TV platforms. Hayes' appointment takes effect immediately after
Caperfly's successful launch at the recent Develop conference in Brighton.
The appointment comes at a time when the applications market is seeing exponential
growth driven by the rapid adoption of smartphone and tablet devices, with the
market predicted to reach a value of $17.5b by the end of 2012 (source: Gartner).
Hayes will help the firm's already impressive management team to develop the
business model and accelerate growth. He will report to CEO Gavin Cheshire.
Hayes is widely recognised as one of the games industry's leading figures with
invaluable experience in executive and leadership roles. His last appointment as CEO
of SEGA® America and Europe, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment, saw
him preside over a business turnover in excess $600m.
He joined SEGA® in 2004 as it moved from being a format-holder to a multiplatform
developer and publisher. One of the highlights was the alliance with Nintendo to
create Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games; a series of fun sports games for the
Wii, DS and 3DS. Worldwide sales for the series are now in excess of 23 million
units.
Hayes steered the transition into a more digital-based software company, launching
one of the first game apps on iOS, and ensuring a significant portion of the company
revenues were emanating from digital sales upon his departure in June 2012.
Gavin Cheshire, CEO of Caperfly said, "Mike has achieved a great deal in his
impressive games industry career. It is a privilege for us to have him on the team.
"He joins Caperfly at a very exciting period of the business, as we accelerate through
our plan, and then onto the launch of our first application."
Mike Hayes said, "This is a good time to be in this new vibrant sector of the industry.
I am positive we can take advantage of the next great wave of innovation and
distribution here at Caperfly.
"I see Caperfly as a unique mix of talented individuals with aspirations to develop
high-quality titles, and I relish the opportunity to be a part of their success."
# Ends #
About Caperfly:
Caperfly Ltd is a brand new digital entertainment and media application business that aims to
deliver high-quality interactive titles to the iOS, Android and emerging Smart TV platforms.
Information on Caperfly can be found at www.caperfly.com
