Ziv Kitaro's Location
Herzliya, Tel Aviv District, Israel, Israel
Ziv Kitaro's Contact Details
Ziv Kitaro work email
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Ziv Kitaro personal email
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About Ziv Kitaro
Driving Growth and Engagement.Throughout my career, I've been part of developing, publishing, and growing multiple titles, from casual to mid-core games. I have over 19 years of experience in the gaming and entertainment industry, with a proven track record of creating and launching successful products and services.I work side by side with the top management of the companies I work for, helping them secure funds, plan and execute external communication strategy, including PR initiatives, media relations, and securing coverage for game launches across various media platforms. I also acquired and managed intellectual property rights for several projects, including a huge IP we are working with on a new secret title.Additionally, I identify and establish partnerships with potential business partners, leading to new growth opportunities and investments. I also act as the company spokesperson, representing them at industry events and media engagements.My core competencies include creative direction, IP acquisition and management, community management, media relations, business development, product management, and game design. I am passionate about creating engaging and innovative games, entertainment products, and services that delight and inspire millions of players worldwide. I always seek new challenges and opportunities to learn and grow in this dynamic and exciting field, like our recent venture into harnessing AI technologies across the company.
Ziv Kitaro Work Experience Details
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Creative DirectorFun Crafters Apr 2023 - PresentCracow, Małopolskie, PlHi, I'm the Creative Director and IP Manager at FunCrafters.🔍 Role Overview: Entrusted with the helm of a high-profile, undisclosed world-renowned IP.Key Responsibilities:🌐 Narrative Oversight: Uphold and enhance the integrity of the story, ensuring it aligns seamlessly with the world and ethos of the IP while captivating our target audience.🎨 Artistic Integration: Collaborate with a diverse team of artists, designers, and developers, fostering a synergy that results in visually compelling and thematically consistent content.🕹 Mechanical & Abilities Alignment: Guarantee that game mechanics, abilities, and other interactive elements feel intuitive and resonate authentically within the universe of the IP.🤝 Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams, producers, and external partners to translate vision into reality, ensuring a cohesive and high-quality user experience.🔑 #CreativeDirection #NarrativeDesign #ArtisticCollaboration #GameMechanics #IPManagement #IndustryTrends #Storytelling #VisionaryLeadership -
Special AdvisoryWhaleapp Ltd Nov 2023 - PresentHerzliya, Israel, Il- Help with the developed of external communication strategy for Whaleapp, including PR initiatives, media relations, and securing coverage for game launches across various media platforms- Help collaboration with the platforms (Apple and Google etc.) to secure featured promotions for game launches-Help identify and establish partnerships with potential business partners, leading to new growth opportunities and investments- Help to oversee community management and communication strategy across social media channels- Help with AI integration into daily team activities, streamlining processes and enhancing collaboration -
Vp Of Communications And BizdevWhaleapp Ltd Jan 2021 - PresentHerzliya, Israel, Il- Developed and executed external communication strategy for Whaleapp, including PR initiatives, media relations, and securing coverage for game launches across various media platforms- Successfully collaborated with Apple and Google, resulting in featured promotions for multiple game launches- Acquired and managed intellectual property (IP) rights for several projects, including the Doctor Who game launched in 2023-Identified and established partnerships with potential business partners, leading to new growth opportunities and investments- Acting as the company spokesperson, representing Whaleapp at industry events and in media engagements- Overseeing community management and communication strategy across social media channels, driving improved engagement with fans and players- I serve as writer and narrative designer on Blitz Rise of Heroes, contributing to the creative development of the game and restructuring the narrative pipeline for increased efficiency- Integrated AI technology into daily team activities, streamlining processes and enhancing collaboration
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Director Of Product Management, Bizdev, Community Management And Special AdvisoryWhaleapp Ltd Jan 2018 - Jan 2021Herzliya, Israel, Il- Managed the end-to-end process of game launches, ensuring top quality and seamless delivery to the market- Collaborated with development teams to refine game mechanics and address monetization challenges, resulting in improved player experiences and revenue generation- Supervised the integration of innovative mobile technologies, enhancing game features and capabilities- Conducted market analysis to identify potential opportunities for new games and acquisitions, driving company growth and expansion- Spearheaded business development initiatives, fostering strategic relationships and partnerships within the gaming industry- Maintained strong platform relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring optimal exposure and collaboration opportunities- Oversaw community management efforts, fostering positive interactions with players and fans across social media channels
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Consultant, Creative Lead, Product Manager, Game DesignerZiv Kitaro Jan 2009 - Present- Working with various companies, mainly in the gaming field- Working on-site; writing documents, creating wireframes, user stories and designing product features.- Helped increase engagement by 10%-20% in different products- Helped increase revenue by 2%-6% in different products.- Improving user experience and product efficiency- adding gamification elements and mechanics- Working on visual redesign, user experience and product positioning- Doing market research for current and new products, including competitive analysis- Helping with product concept and pipeline creation- Creating presentation and coaching people on delivering the best presentation they can- Professional speaker with the ministry of education, festivals and private events in universities and companies
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SpeakerZiv Kitaro 2004 - PresentThe topics of my lectures include: Technology, Popular culture, Folklore, personal growth, productivity, writing, game designing, production and product management, etc. - I am invited to speak in both small and large Gave talks in festivals (Storytelling Festival, Icon TLV, and the like)- Invited to talk in professional events organized by Games for Change, GameIS, The Israeli Ministry of Education and others.
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Director Of Product ManagementMohican Lab Oct 2017 - Mar 2019Herzliya, Israel, Il- Supervised end-to-end game production, ensuring high-quality outputs and timely delivery- Managed a dedicated prototyping team, fostering innovation and rapid iteration of game concepts- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to optimize game mechanics and address production challenges, resulting in more engaging and polished game experiences- Led the creation and preparation of compelling game presentations for business development purposes, showcasing the potential of new projects to partners and investors- Conducted comprehensive market analysis to identify opportunities for new games and acquisitions, informing strategic decisions and driving company growth -
Product Visionary & Team Lead At Fantasy NetworkFantasy Network Jun 2017 - Nov 2017- Developed and executed product vision and roadmaps for various products operated by Fantasy Network, driving overall strategy and direction- Managed cross-functional teams on a day-to-day basis, ensuring effective collaboration and timely delivery of project milestones- Created innovative new products and features tailored to client needs, enhancing their satisfaction and fostering long-term partnerships- Successfully negotiated and secured a partnership deal with Azteca TV, a prominent Mexican multimedia conglomerate, expanding Fantasy Network's market reach and influence- Worked closely with clients to understand their desired experiences, customizing product offerings to meet their unique requirements- Collaborated with the art and graphic design department to translate product vision into visually appealing and engaging experiences- Partnered with the data team to monitor product performance, utilizing analytics to identify and address issues, and continuously improve offerings- Ensured a positive user experience by prioritizing end-user enjoyment and satisfaction throughout the product lifecycle -
Creative And Games Director At EdgybeesEdgybees Ltd. Dec 2016 - Aug 2017Gaithersburg, Maryland, Us- Spearheaded the development of Augmented Reality (AR) games for drones, driving innovation and exploring new gaming frontiers- Successfully launched the company's initial prototypes, including the highly anticipated DronePrix AR- Collaborated with founders to secure funding by creating compelling presentations, videos, and conducting in-depth market research- Conducted extensive competitor analysis and product mapping to inform strategic decisions and maintain a competitive edge in the AR gaming market- Analyzed user activity and data on DronePrix AR to continuously improve the gaming experience and drive user engagement- Produced the official launch trailer for EdgyBees, generating excitement and interest in the company's groundbreaking AR offerings -
Head Of ProductPlaytika May 2016 - Nov 2016Herzliya, Il- Led the ongoing development of the #1 online Bingo Game, driving innovation and maintaining its market-leading position- Successfully managed the complex relocation of product operations from Santa Monica to Israel and Minsk, ensuring a seamless transition- Increased art production output by 30% through process optimization and effective team management- Led and coordinated a diverse team of 20 members across Israel, the USA, and Minsk, fostering collaboration and efficient work processes- Utilized scrum methodology to work closely with the Product Management and Development teams in Minsk on the development and enhancement of game features- Designed wireframes and specifications for new features, while continuously improving existing ones to ensure an engaging user experience- Oversaw end-to-end content production, managing creative brainstorming sessions and driving the creation of captivating game elements- Ensured the highest quality output from the art and design teams, maintaining a strong focus on visual excellence- Developed a comprehensive roadmap for the redesign and upcoming features for 2017, guiding the strategic direction of the product- Collaborated with the monetization and marketing teams to launch new features and game rooms, maximizing revenue and user engagement -
Executive ProducerPlarium Nov 2013 - May 2016Herzliya, Herzliya, Il- Developed a 3D, real-time PvP combat racing game, showcasing innovation and technical prowess- Successfully completed the full development of the highly complex game within an ambitious 12-month timeframe- Led and coordinated a team of 30 professionals across Israel and Ukraine, fostering collaboration and efficient work processes- Managed end-to-end product development from concept to soft launch, adhering to strict deadlines and milestones- Established a robust development pipeline and comprehensive documentation, including wireframes, personas, empathy maps, and user stories, using Agile methodologies (Scrum and Kanban)- Facilitated seamless communication and synchronization between the design, UI, concept and 3D, and development teams, ensuring a cohesive and efficient development process- Conducted market research and developed monetization strategies, balancing game elements, and a product roadmap to guide the game's growth and success- Collaborated closely with Business Intelligence (BI) and marketing teams to optimize game performance and reach target audiences -
Content ManagerUtopia | Science, Imagination, Future | The Tel-Aviv International Festival For Science Fiction Film Jun 2013 - Jan 2016Tel Aviv, Il• Production the main speaking events of the larger Sci-Fi and Fantasy film festival• Finding high level speakers and coordinating their talks• Working with guests of honor from overseas (movie directors, authors, comic creators, etc. • Part of the speaker cadre• Lectures and workshops on a vast range of topics -
Lecturer On Game Design, The Master'S Program In Industrial DesignBezalel Academy Of Art And Design Sep 2013 - Sep 2014Il• Part of the lecturer group who developed the new Master's program in industrial design • Developed and taught the Game Design course,• Guiding students who wish to engage in projects in this field• Orchestrate cooperation with other programs and courses -
Executive Producer"Land Of The Little People" May 2013 - Jul 2014Kickstarter campaign strategy, and Production
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Head Of The Game Design ProgramBeit Berl College May 2011 - Aug 2013Beit Berl, Israel, Il- Orchestrate and manage the longest running game-design program in Israel- Built the syllabus, recruited and interviewed students and staff members - Managed a group of a dozen lecturers- Worked with startups in Israel and in New York o find opportunities for students- Managed several external programs that the college had -
LecturerBeit Berl College 2009 - Apr 2011Beit Berl, Israel, IlI teach Game Design, focusing on thought patterns for game designing.Was promoted to the head of the program.
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CeoChess Nations Feb 2013 - Jul 2013Chess Nations is a rich-layered multiplayer chess game. Enhanced with a rich backdrop of historical progression, and offers the most fun and stimulating chess puzzles out there. Our mission is to make Chess accessible and engaging to new audiences, while helping players to constantly develop their skill.In addition the the day to day operation and working to raise funds, I:• Created the product's vision, design and pipeline• Worked to create alpha and beta sites for testing with partners in the chess world • Created the meta game and puzzles• Conducted analysis of the market
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CooSmite Entertainment Oct 2011 - Mar 2013Herzliya, Central, Il- Led day-to-day operations at a game design and digital product expert company, driving innovation and productivity- Managed international teams across Israel, Russia, and Romania with a total of 12 members, fostering effective collaboration- Successfully increased engagement and monetization for 888's Governor of Poker game, enhancing its overall performance- Designed and produced a full Kinect-based game for MTV India and Tanin Production within a tight deadline of just a few weeks- Boosted production output for Smite by over 60%, ensuring efficient delivery of high-quality game content- Assisted clients with product positioning and crafted gamification mechanics and elements to enhance user experience- Developed creative concepts for games and interactive applications, showcasing a breadth of expertise in the industry- Established and managed product pipelines, overseeing the end-to-end production process for clients- Collaborated with companies worldwide, including Spain, Thailand, England, USA, and Israel, demonstrating strong cross-cultural communication skills- Provided consultancy services to companies at various development stages, offering tailored solutions to their needs- Conducted on-site work with clients on both existing and new products, ensuring the successful execution of their visions -
Consumer Electronics JournalistCalcalist Aug 2010 - Feb 2012Rishon Lezion, Ilwriting a weekly article about gadgets and other technological products from around the world. -
SpeakerIcon 2005 - Dec 2011Tel Aviv, IlGave lectures on a vast range of topics: on folklore, technology and popular culture topics
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Deputy EditorYnet Jul 2011 - Oct 2011Deputy Editor of the tech section at Ynet. Working on guides, tutorials, and How-to articles.Also, writing my ongoing and weekly column about mac, iOS, iphone, iPads, OS X, and all things Apple -
Product Manager And Game DesignerGeo-Spatial Web Startup In Stealth Mode Aug 2010 - Oct 2011A company that explored the way we communicate today. Our product helps facilitated communication in a better way, taking into account both the tools we use, and also the state of mind and physical location we are at.My work here was to help define both the core product and its derivatives, and also to define the user experience and gamification elements. The work was on a mobile application to which I've created the wireframes and user flow.
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Producer And HostKitaro'S Mac Show Oct 2008 - May 2011IlKitaro's Mac Show is a leading podcast of all things Apple, mac or iPhone. The show is recorded every week and brings news, products and application reviews, iPhone application reviews, tips, tricks and more about all things Macintosh. 4 permanent members participate in the show, two of them are Apple certified technicians, one is an Art director and designer who is a veteran in the world of macs. -
Producer And HostKitaro'S Mac Show Mar 2005 - Apr 2010IlProducing podcasts is the same as producing any radio show. As the leading podcaster in Israel I am running three popular shows, I have helped in the creation of over a dozen more shows and conducted seminar and gave lecture on many occasion about the subject. Creating the show gave me experience in hosting, making the recording, the arrangement, editing, promoting and distributing the show. What are podcasts? Podcasts are "internet radio shows" - i.e audio content that is recorded on a regular schedule and distributed over the web. Unlike normal shows, podcasts are available at any time so people can alway enjoy the content, and listen to them where ever they want - on the computer, through a CD in the car, on their iPods etc. There are shows about any subject you can imagine. Our most prominent ones are: Kitaros' Sideshow, Kitaro's Macshow and iPhone101.co.il
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Journalist For MakoKeshet Interactive May 2008 - Mar 2011Writing about technology in general with an ever so slightly mac bias. Bi-monthly Mac column, reviews etc. Also writing for the Men section about productivity, presentation and “life” subjects.
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Senior Game Designer, And Product ManagerCedar Design Group Mar 2004 - Aug 2009- Contributed to the growth of an Israeli-based game and toy company, established in 2008 with roots dating back to 2004- Developed engaging gameplay, rules, audio, and visual feedback for various projects, ensuring a captivating user experience- Created original content for multiple platforms, showcasing creativity and innovation in the gaming industry- Successfully negotiated a partnership deal with world-renowned Men of Action (creators of Big Hero 6, Ben 10, etc.), expanding the company's portfolio- Attained a landmark achievement by securing the Marvel Comics IP- Conceptualized new ideas for physical toys, electronic devices, and web-based toys, staying at the forefront of industry trends- Provided expert advice on presentations and documentation for investors and marketing efforts, helping to secure funding and promote the company's offeringsElectroHex™ video clip: http://vimeo.com/2600533
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ColumnistWalla.Co.Il Dec 2007 - May 2008IlWrote a weekly column about Apple and Macintosh. Tips, guides, Q&As from readers. -
Product And Content ManagerIcast.Co.Il Mar 2007 - May 2008• Icast is is leading the podcast and audio content revolution in Israel• Find partners that would create content• Manage initial negotiations with book publishers (audiobooks later became ICast mainbusiness)• Brought onboard the Open University and its content and lectures• Worked with independent podcaster and got them to keep creating original content -
ColumnistNrg.Co.Il - Ma’Ariv Online Aug 2006 - Jan 2007My column started out from subjects like spirituality in the 21st century and from there it took the form of being a column about mysteries.
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ColumnistJerusalem Post - Good Life 2007 - 2007Tel Aviv, IlA monthly column about tips for better living, leisure activity and health. -
WriterDarkmotif 2006 - 2006Wrote a story for a computer game. A dark and epic, cross continent quest with mythical and religious themes about the true origin of our specie. The game is called “Adam Syndrom” and is scheduled to be released in 2009.
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AuthorFaery Guide - Book 2005 - 2005Published my first book under “Opus Publishing”. A guide to magical creatures Dragons, fairies, Gnomes or Goblins, they are all there waiting.
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Owner, Strategic Planer, Import ManagerKitaro- A Store Specialized In Fantasy Art, Collectible Figurine And The Occult 2003 - 2005KiTARO was a two branches store (one in Haifa, the other in Tel Aviv).The Store was a center for special books on Magick and the occult, collectable and handmade fantasy status, and limited-edition artworks.During this time, I contacted, signed contracts and worked with providers from England, Germany,Italy and the U.S.A to bring special merchandise, collectable figurines, hard to find items and books.KiTARO's unique needs dictated that I become not only the buyer but also the person responsible of the import of the goods and worked with customs to release the items to the stores.
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Owner/Writer/Game DesignerDemons Under The Sink Apr 2000 - Dec 2003Demons under the sink was the leading Role playing Game magazine. It featured articles, reviews and personal columns about the industry, the community and the hobby itself. We built the site, wrote for it and created a community which is still active today, years after the magazine stopped its publishing.Other then working on the magazine itself, we operated conventions for RPGs, gave lectured on the subjects and worked as advisor to an Israeli RPG importer. For each of the conventions we organized, we created new games and stories. Later I created games for conventions that were created by the Israeli Society for the promotion of Role Playing Games and gave lectures about game and story creation.
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TherapistSavion Care Center - Center For People With Special Needs 2002 - 2003Worked with the tenants to help them physically with various deficiencies, aches and other challenges. I worked with people ages 17 to 70, treating each with the best suited technique for him or her self.
Ziv Kitaro Skills
Game Design
User Experience
Storytelling
Video Games
Writing
Creative Writing
Public Speaking
Blogging
Social Networking
Content Strategy
Editing
Mobile Games
Publishing
Start Ups
Research
Video
Game Mechanics
Digital Media
Teaching
Social Media
Copywriting
Online Marketing
Marketing
Technical Writing
Photoshop
Creative Direction
New Media
Computer Games
Social Games
Html
Facebook
Web Content
Journalism
Content Management
Gamification
Wordpress
Web Design
Casual Games
Books
Public Relations
Photography
Content Development
Witchcraft
Art
Mac
Production
Entertainment
Gameplay
Online Gaming
Iphone
Ziv Kitaro Education Details
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Dale CarnegieEffective Communication And Human Relations -
The Israeli College For Natural TherapiesNaturopathy
Frequently Asked Questions about Ziv Kitaro
What company does Ziv Kitaro work for?
Ziv Kitaro works for Fun Crafters
What is Ziv Kitaro's role at the current company?
Ziv Kitaro's current role is Creative Director @FunCrafters (He/Him/His).
What is Ziv Kitaro's email address?
Ziv Kitaro's email address is zi****@****ail.com
What schools did Ziv Kitaro attend?
Ziv Kitaro attended Dale Carnegie, The Israeli College For Natural Therapies.
What are some of Ziv Kitaro's interests?
Ziv Kitaro has interest in Writing, Magick, Technology, Comics, Sci Fi, Software, Self Help, Mac, Apple.
What skills is Ziv Kitaro known for?
Ziv Kitaro has skills like Game Design, User Experience, Storytelling, Video Games, Writing, Creative Writing, Public Speaking, Blogging, Social Networking, Content Strategy, Editing, Mobile Games.
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