About Mary Kurek
Formerly a Governor's Press Staff Member and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director...
"My business leadership background was a great springboard for becoming the Games Industry's Professional Networker." More bio HERE
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Client Comments
“I have found Mary to be outstanding as a pro networker with regard to business development opportunities. Doing what I do for our studio at Timbuk2, I don't have time to do what she does so excellently as a relationship bridge builder. I think Mary is also uniquely gifted in what she does and follows high level protocols to earn the trust of those she works with.”
Jon Gregerson, Managing Partner, Timbuk2 Studios
"She will help you get Godlike in the industry. @gamemarketing is a must follow."
Rob Paz aka SFX_Prod1gy_X - WCG Ultimate Gamer Show Star, Professional Gamer, Guinness Book of World Records Title Holder
“Mary is constantly introducing me to the movers and shakers in our industry and her efforts to help us obtain affiliates, sponsorships, and more new partners has been a great success.”
Scott Allen, CEO of VETERANS-GAMING
"I like to keep things simple, so I can describe Mary in three words: Awesome, Professional and Amazing! Mary is such a smart and natural networker who has helped me on numerous occasions make contact with the correct people & first time, maximizing my efficiency and deal making. I can't recommend Mary enough & I'm looking forward to working with her again, whenever I can. It's a pleasure."
George Bray, Head of Technology Recruitment (Video Games), MPG Universal.
Thanks for the invite via Twitter, Mary. I work with digital and creative businesses in Liverpool England. The first piece of advice I give my clients is to follow you on Twitter.
Peter Lunt, Financial Services & Marketing Professional, the plc connection
"I just wanted to comment on your marketing suggestions. Mostly to say that they are great ideas."
Ben Britten, Tin Man Games
"The moment you sign on with Mary you better be prepared to handle the onslaught of great leads! She’s the real ”Agent Surefire!”
Bora Aytun, CMO, Mavi Interactive (Producer of Award Winning Agent Surefire Infosec Training Game)
Mary on Twitter
MARY ON LINKEDIN & FACEBOOK
Client Case Studies
"Developing good - diverse pools of connections is the cornerstone to providing meaningful introductions to clients who need it quick." ...Mary Kurek
Professional Networking
Professional Networking (delivered as a contracted service) requires a keen sense of how to interact with a variety of business personalities while keeping a clear purpose in mind. Also important is a natural ability to attract and "filter" connections, adhering always to the mission of creating benefit for client and connection.
What follows are just a few examples of professional networking clients and their stories.
Prodege LLC/Swagbucks.com - Loyalty/Reward Site (ranked among top 100 sites in the US), CA
Focus: Quality Facebook developers for collaboration.
Solution: Search top 25 lists for best FB developers and work social media to uncover others. Set up the COO for Prodege/Swagbucks.com, Scott Dudelson, with introductions to people he could meet at GDC 2012 (2 weeks notice.) Ten introductions made for that event. Followup produced 2 solid possibilities with more interest from developers with games in the pipeline.
"Mary, you are amazing. The whole process feels very comfortable and natural. I'd never have the time to dig up all these leads as quickly as you do. Thank you for being our secret weapon." ...Scott Dudelson, COO, Prodege LLC & Swagbucks.com
CTA Digital, Maker of Games Peripherals, NY
Focus: Publicity and Media Relationships during E3 2010.
Solution: Tweet-up with popular gamer celebrities to draw a crowd coupled with giveaways. Connection with Rob Paz (Prod1gy X) and Ciji Thornton (StarSlay3r) was made to organize a gaming faceoff. Raheem Jarbo (Random Beats/Mega Ran), a games rap artist that was at E3 to perform in a concert, was booked to make an appearance. Media interviews were scheduled for the celebs. Once the faceoff began, the crowd around the CTA Digital booth was 10 deep with CTA's competitors actually watching from afar. More than a dozen media contacts were introduced to CTA Digital at E3 and after the event. A review request organized with Hip Hop Gamer ended up as a video review on PS3 Home, just before the holidays 2010. CTA continued requests for project help...prior to CES 2012, an introduction to a USA Today tech reporter was made to provide CTA Digital with an extra boost for their US Army partnership announcement.
Penka Kouneva, Award-Winning Film & Game Composer with credits that include Prince of Persia: Forgotten Sands, Transformers, and Gears of War Games
Focus: Meetings with developers in the Raleigh-Durham area during a quick business trip in February 2012.
Solution: Introductions that not only included studio reps, but also, a fellow composer, and board members for the East Coast Games Conference. Results included an invitation for Penka to speak at the 2012 East Coast Games Conference and a contract for music composition with a developer. Later, the fellow composer to whom she was introduced branched out into game development and made a deal with Penka to use music from her album, A Warrior's Odyssey, in one of his games. Her speaking cred at the East Coast Games Conference started Penka on the industry speaking circuit, helping her to secure a spot at GDC 2013.
"You were the greatest asset in building my business during the last year. Two biz development trips - to Raleigh/Durham and to GDC were fantastic. You are a Godsend." ...Penka Kouneva
See Client Comments column to the left.