PopCap Hires RealNetworks Vet As Marketing VP

Casual game developer-publisher PopCap has announced that it has hired former RealNetworks exec Ben Rotholtz to the newly-created position of vice president of marketing. Rotholtz was previously a general manager of several business units at RealNetworks, most recently its Rhapsody online music service. PopCap says Rotholtz will now be tasked with guiding the company's Web site, advertising, public relations, marketing and promotional efforts while reporting to CEO David Roberts. During his nine years with RealNetworks, Rotholtz held roles such as GM of Products and Systems and GM of Business Affairs before taking the position of GM of Web Services and Syndication for Real's Rhapsody division in early 2006. Previously, he held technical and product marketing roles with Aldus, with a primary focus on that company's PageMaker and InDesign software products. Said Rotholtz, "Building a marketing team at PopCap is one of those dream opportunities that come along once in a lifetime, if that. This is a highly creative and gifted company with superb, quality products that have succeeded thus far on word-of-mouth and non-stop positive critiques from the media. The challenge of raising the profile of PopCap and its games worldwide is truly inspiring and energizing – I can't wait to get started!"