Stephen Warr Email & Phone Number

Toronto, Ontario, Ca

Pleasanton, California, Us

Operating in 26 countries, Blackhawk Network is a Global leader in distribution and processing of retail prepaid cards, corporate incentive solutions, employee rewards and alternative payment solutions with annual revenues of $15+ billion in sales. Recruited by this company to drive the global business development strategy for digital and gaming content. • Secured and executed global and country specific distribution agreements with global digital and gaming brand leaders including Apple, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Sony PlayStation, Nintendo, Steam, Facebook, Netflix, Spotify and Disney.• Secured best in class global brands and gaming content for the Brazil country launch, edging out competitors by being first to market. This allowed Blackhawk Brazil to win exclusive distribution rights with the 7 biggest retailers in country including Lojas Americanas, Carrefour and Walmart. • Was instrumental in Mexico achieving a 70% market share by being first to market with global brands and gaming card partners as well as closing content gaps by developing internal tools and processes to overcome technical limitations of activating and distributing USD denominated prepaid cards in Mexico. • Evangelized the importance of creating digital and gaming destination in non-traditional retail channels growing the gaming category sales in Canadian grocery and drug channel by 12X. • Created sales pipeline and secured international content in a matrix organization through cross team collaboration and navigation of international laws and regulations associated with prepaid products.

Recruited by this start-up, specializing in mobile social networks and social gaming mechanics. Used development methodologies to deliver applications that simultaneously supported user-generated communities while providing brand enhancement. • Developed a long-term product strategy which integrated the drive for user-generated content in a community setting for all mobile & social application projects.• Analyzed the market to source alternative revenue models and identify opportunities, emphasizing the company’s specialty in social gaming and user-generated content, to develop new ideas.• Led IT in hitting project milestones and target launch dates, formed actionable plans focusing on long-term evolution and minimizing change requests.• Increased productive hours, in addition to reducing conflicts and wasted development by 30% by improving communication and serving as a key liaison in aligning IT strategy to adapt to change• Managed key partner accounts including AT&T Wireless and Virgin Mobile, successfully launching the Stagename social network applications.• Designed game-play and user-interface for products for Mobile Web, Facebook and iPhone.• Advised high-level decision-making, as it applied to strategic allocation of marketing expenditures.Project Highlights: Studio V• Conceptualized the innovative Studio V web and mobile application, offering an industry-first payment-for-content service for carrier customers.• This unique service allowed Virgin Mobile USA customers to earn free air time credit any time images or photos they submitted were downloaded by other Virgin Mobile USA customers, with top users earning enough free credit to pay their monthly phone bills.• Studio V was so successful that Virgin Mobile USA commissioned Stagename to build a mobile social network named Mobile Lounge.

Toronto, Ontario, Ca

Recruited by this mobile operator to lead the development and implementation of the strategic roadmap for all Content & Messaging Services on pre & post-paid platforms. • Grew content & SMS revenues +300% annually while achieving industry–leading content & SMS ARPU contributions• Evaluated emerging technological and social trends to keep designs ahead of the curve,partnering with hardware manufacturers to link software & hardware strategies competitively.• Created RFPs, negotiated contracts and managed the activities and deliverables of 60+ content and service providers. Aligned vendor selection to pinpoint companies that could deliver on strategic needs• Selected and launched a new content management platform featuring an intelligent recommendation engine, multi-content type distribution and an integrated web and mobile experience. The new platform, which was a Canadian first, greatly contributed to beating the industry average for downloadable content purchases by 150%.• Responsible for presenting new product and service ideas to the Project Steering Committee, comprised of C-level executives, to obtain budget and approvals for all launches.• Led a team of 5, launched a variety of successful products and services including Text Messaging, Short codes, Instant Messaging, Social Networks, Email, Picture Messaging, Mobile web services & bundles, Downloadable Ringtones, Images, Games, and Streaming Video and Radio.• Liaised with all departments within the company, including IT, Customer Care, Marketing, Sales, Legal and Finance, coordinating all efforts to ensure maximum efficiency.• Performed forecasting and meticulous budgeting across more than 25 product SKUs.

Culver City, Ca, Us

Enlisted by this mobile entertainment licenser and publisher to take on active management sales of eight North American carrier accounts with regard to downloadable games, images and ringtones including Verizon Wireless, Sprint PCS, Alltel, T-Mobile, Bell Mobility, US Cellular, Western Wireless and Iusacell.• Met and exceeded account revenue targets that generated 65% of Sony Pictures Mobile’s overall revenue.• Launched and managed “AAA” brands including Spider-Man, Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, • Acquired carrier’s “buy-in” on new games and launch prior to the associated movie release date• Streamlined and reduced game porting costs by researching and implementing phone compatibilities in-house.• Increased a Tier 2 carrier’s revenue by 700% with zero expenditure on incremental development, and generated over $2M of no-cost advertising through carrier partners of Sony’s games and movies.

Montreal, Quebec, Ca

Crafted essential partnerships with content providers, securing products including downloadable Games, Apps, wallpapers and ringtones.• Cultivated relationships with 18 essential content providers, managing and executing all contract negotiations including amendments.• Developed inventive new revenue channels by creating partnerships with third party websites to sell downloadable content.• Exceeded revenue targets by 200%.