Chris Heatherly has been named EVP of worldwide games and digital platforms for NBCUniversal Brand Development. The appointment was made in an effort to expand NBCUniversal‘s games and digital platforms business.
Heatherly joins the team September 30, reporting directly to NBCUniversal Brand Development president Vince Klaseus. NBCUniversal’s games and digital platforms business creates interactive gaming and digital content for console, mobile, PC and apps.
Like Klaseus, Heatherly hails from Disney where he last held the post of SVP and general manager for Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media’s games and app business. He also led strategy, management and operations for DCPI’s content in the app store, as well as its console games and led the launch of mobile hits including Star Wars Commander, Inside Out: Thought Bubbles and Disney Emoji Blitz.
Before that Heatherly served as SVP and general manager of Disney Interactive’s kids business and occupied several executive positions for the Disney Consumer Products team.
In August, NBCUniversal closed its US$3.8-billion acquisition of DreamWorks Animation. As part of the deal, DreamWorks Animation’s feature film, TV series, live entertainment and related consumer products businesses became part of the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, which includes NBCUniversal Brand Development.