38 Studios Hires New CFO and CMO

If you’ve ever seen an “Under New Management Sign” hanging in a business’ window, then you know that sometimes all it takes to turn around a company that is down on its luck is a change of executives.

38 Studios LLC, based in Maynard, MA, recently selected Rick Wester as its new chief financial officer and Denise Kaigler as its new chief marketing officer. Wester brings over 18 years of startup experience, focused on software and IT services, to the position. Additionally, Wester, who is a Certified Public Accountant, previously worked for five years as a Chief Financial Officer, where he honed such skills as budgeting, fundraising, accounting, planning, and public company reporting. (Image courtesy of: http://www.38studios.com)

Kaigler comes to 38 Studios with extensive industry knowledge after having served as vice president of corporate affairs for Nintendo of America. Before holding the VP position, Kaigler spent 16 years working in the footwear and apparel industry in various marketing positions for such companies as Reebok and Adidas.

“Having Rick and Denise join 38 Studios adds significant strategic experience to our executive management team,” Jen MacLean, President of 38 Studios explained. “They each bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the company...”

According to 38 Studios’ website, the company hopes to create an “Online Entertainment Experience™ that transcends the traditional MMOG genre, novels, comics, toys, movies, TV, and more.” Since its creation in 2006, by Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, under the guidance of comic book and toy creator Todd McFarlane and bestselling fantasy author, and Leominster native, R. A. Salvatore, 38 Studios has been working towards just that.

In May of 2009, 38 Studios’ acquired Big Huge Games to assist them in realizing the company’s vision of “combining the ages-old art of the story with 21st century interactive entertainment.” Presently, 38 Studios is looking to hire 18 additional employees at its Maynard offices for jobs including: senior MySQL database administrators, user interface designers, and senior software engineers. Another five jobs are open in the studios’ Baltimore, MD location.

While 38 Studios appears to have a unique mission and is deadest on hiring the best employees, the company has thus far been unsuccessful in accessing venture capital. Schilling has invested over $5 million of his personal funds into the company to allow it to continue operating. (Image courtesy of: http://www.38studios.com)

By the end of the year, 38 Studios plans to release a game to the market. Naturally, the reception of this game will decide the fate of the company and its likelihood of ever obtaining venture capital. Hopefully, hiring a new CFO and CMO will prove to be exactly the change 38 Studios needed to secure a prosperous future.

For more information visit: http://www.38studios.com/news/press_show/24