May 2009
Internationally renowned motion picture and television producer Jerry Bruckheimer and MTV Games, a part of Viacom Inc.'s MTV Networks, have announced two executive appointments that officially mark the producer's entrance into the video game industry. Industry veterans, Jim Veevaert and Jay Cohen, will lead Jerry Bruckheimer Games, Inc. as President of Production and President of Development respectively.
Connecting the impact, creativity and success of Jerry Bruckheimer to the interactive entertainment industry for the first time, Veevaert and Cohen will build a creative IP development studio focused on the development and production of groundbreaking interactive content and original intellectual property that convey and reflect the high standards of entertainment value set by Jerry Bruckheimer in his other creative ventures.
By working with only the best designers, developers, storytellers and artists, Veevaert and Cohen will incubate and develop projects that explore interactive storytelling, foster immense creativity and challenge the boundaries of traditional game development.
Bruckheimer and MTV Games previously announced this exclusive deal to create new and original video game content together. Details on the partnership have been quiet until this announcement.
A 15-year veteran in the interactive industry, Veevaert spent the past eight years at Microsoft overseeing the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system's largest franchises. As the Executive Producer for Halo 3, he was responsible for production and franchise management for the Halo Xbox 360 game series. Veevaert also managed Microsoft's relationship with video game developer Bungie Studios. Prior to his work on the Halo series, Veevaert brought the Epic Games relationship to Microsoft, along with the Gears of War franchise. Veevaert led collaboration with the creative leads of Rare Ltd in the United Kingdom to expand the Viva Pinata franchise with an original television production and series of companion games.
A 13-year veteran in the interactive entertainment industry, Cohen spent the past decade at Ubisoft building the French company's North American subsidiary into one of the most respected and prosperous independent publishing and development powerhouses in the business. During his tenure as SVP Publishing, Cohen and his team successfully engineered and executed the launches of blockbuster franchises such as Splinter Cell, Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon, Prince of Persia, Rayman and Assassin's Creed. A firm supporter in advancing and promoting the awareness of the artistry and talent within the interactive industry, Cohen has served as a member of, and currently sits as, Chairman of the Board for the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.
Announced in December 2007, MTV Games' exclusive deal with Jerry Bruckheimer Games Studio represents the prominent motion picture and television producer's first foray into the gaming world. The deal was negotiated by Creative Artists Agency on behalf of Jerry Bruckheimer. For MTV Games, the agreement was overseen by George Cheeks, EVP & General Counsel, Business and Legal Affairs, MTV Networks.
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