Marko Hein became Chief Game Officer (CGO) of the Hamburg-based computer game publisher and developer Bigpoint (www.bigpoint.com) on January 11, 2010. In this newly created position, he is responsible for the development and orientation of Bigpoint’s product strategy as well as the company’s community operations, heading up the game design, producing, community management, item selling and art divisions. Driving the game portfolio’s ongoing development and ensuring the quality of the company’s customer care are just two of the new officer’s key functions. Hein reports directly to Heiko Hubertz, CEO and founder of Bigpoint.

 Hiring the new CGO is only the latest step in the executive team’s expansion – it was only on December 1, 2009 that the company announced the appointment of Lothar Eckstein to the position of CMO.

Before signing on at Bigpoint and his one-year stint as a consultant, Marko Hein worked for THQ, a company which develops and publishes console games. In the position of General Manager, he led the international office in Zurich, in charge of international management for the company’s portfolio as well as strategic planning. He was also employed at Koch Media, a leading producer and merchandiser of digital entertainment products (software, games and DVDs), where he was in charge of the production and new media branches in his role of Director of Acquisition and Development.

But Hein began laying the foundations of his success in the gaming branch much earlier. He started his career at Nintendo of Europe in 1994, holding various management positions which culminated in Head of Product Analysis & Online and Head of European Developer Business.

Heiko Hubertz, CEO of Bigpoint: “Game development is the company’s heart and soul. That’s why it was imperative that we find an experienced, creative and well-connected candidate for the position of CGO. Marko Hein has what it takes to work at Bigpoint. His creativity, passion, sharp business acumen and sound strategic thinking make him a valuable new addition to the executive team.”

Marko Hein: “Browser-based games are revolutionizing the classic game market on many levels. New technologies and business models as well as direct contact with the players aren’t only exciting, they’re trail-blazing. As the market leader, Bigpoint has accomplished a great deal. I’m very proud to come aboard with such important responsibilities and to apply my experience in the games branch to the future development of the company."