SCEA's Karraker To Leave Company

Author: by Staff

In an email sent to media outlets, Sony's PR head Dave Karraker has surprisingly announced that he is leaving the company on September 7th for a new position heading PR for Skyy Spirits, almost a year to the day after his appointment. Karraker joined up with Sony as SCEA's senior director of communications, reporting directly to Peter Dille, senior vice president of marketing, back in September 2006, and formerly worked at Allied Domecq Spirits and Wine, the industry to which he is returning. In his email, Karraker commented brightly: "I have enjoyed immensely my tenure at SCEA and think the company and its brands are very well positioned to have an exceptional holiday and a very bright future. I look forward to continuing to follow this industry as a gamer, rather than a spokesperson." Karraker also previously worked as the director of marketing communications for major retailer Kmart. Karraker's video game experience includes work with public relations firms Access Communications and Rogers & Cowan in Los Angeles, where his clients included Sega of America, Microsoft, 3DO, Virgin Interactive, Crystal Dynamics, U.S. Gold, ASC Games, 3Dfx Interactive and Knowledge Adventure. He also worked as a broadcast journalist for the CBS affiliate in Santa Barbara, California and the NBC affiliate in Reno, Nevada. The Sony executive, who has been interviewed by Gamasutra multiple times regarding the PlayStation 3 and its launch, gave no reason for his departure, commenting that it was a "difficult decision" to reach.