Julia Kenny

Hi, visitor! Starting as a game scout in this industry, I've matured into a portfolio-loving, creatively-driven, business-doing professional.

I've signed millions of dollars worth of deals in my career, seen thousands of game pitches, and had the pleasure of talking to hundreds of game developers. I know quite a lot of publishers and platforms too. This one time, I was nominated for an award. If I could stop trying to make dad jokes all the time perhaps I'd have a shot at looking pretty accomplished.

What makes me tick:

Collaborating with people that inspire me
Talking about market trends and thinking about 'the bigger picture'
Discussing game design and product strategy
Bringing games to wider audiences
Operations and organisation - what can we streamline? And what ideation works best completely unbound?
Identifying the 'good eggs' in this industry - read that as talent, or personality, both are important.
Connecting people who are more likely to find success together
Playing games with people and being my goofy authentic self

Games I've contributed to

Business Development / First Party Relations

Business Development Strategy

Business Development, Deal Negotiation, Studio Advisor

Business Development, Deal Negotiation

Partner Management, Player Research

Mentoring & Consulting

Activities I'm proud of

BAFTA Juror

Young Game Designers
Best Debut Game

Game Design Jury

Helping decide where public funding is allocated in Switzerland.

Mentor @ Tentacle Zone

Giving advice on business development strategy, pitch feedback, studio strategy, hiring and culture

Companies I've worked at

Headup Games

Console Partnerships, Portfolio Strategy, Scouting, Business Development, Platform Relations

Robot Teddy

Managing Prototype Fund and Partner Support, Fund Consulting

Thunderful Games

Leading Corporate Development, Publishing Scouting, Portfolio Strategy and Greenlight Process

SEGA Europe

Leading Game Scouting for SEGA Searchlight and M&A discussions

RocketRide Games

Business Development Consultant, Agent

Jagex Ltd

Game Scouting and Business Development at Jagex Partners

Panels, Judging and Speaking Engagements

How to Pitch workshop (The RABBIT / Coconat) - November 2024

DevGamm Lisbon Awards (judge) - November 2024

Romanian Game Developer Awards (judge) - November 2024

Working with a publisher - Game Producer Education (EA Dania), November 2023

Preserving and Promoting Artistic Integrity in Economic Tumult (panellist) - Reboot Develop, April 2023

Round Table on the Acquisition of Games and Companies (panellist) - Bilbao Games Conference, December 2022

The Mind of the Publisher (panellist) - GameBCN Demo Day, October 2022

The Importance of Work Life Balance - Reboot Develop Blue (panellist), October 2022

Smart Money: How does strategic funding add more than just the cash? (moderator) - Reboot Develop Blue, October 2022

Games Scouting: Finding a Diamond in a Haystack (panellist) - Horizons Bordeaux, October 2022

Event Horizon School Judge, September 2022

MeetToMatch x Indie Game Business, Canada pitching session - Gamescom August 2022

Unlocking Growth in the UK Games Industry (panellist) - Barclays Game Frenzy, May 2022

Thunderful Roundtable and Q&A - Gi Live Online, May 2022

Judge, UKIE Games Demo Day in partnership with Barclays - April 2022

What are publishers looking for? (panellist) - White Nights Berlin, February 2022

Round table about SEGA Searchlight - Pixel Mill Belfast, January 2022

Introducing publisher relationships - Danish Game Producer Education https://eadania.dk/ November 2021

Is working with a publisher worth it? (solo talk) - Develop Brighton, October 2021

Introducing SEGA Searchlight - Gi Live, September 2021

Game Incubators (panellist) - First Playable, July 2021

In search of the ideal partnership: how to find a game deal (solo talk) - Brazilian Independent Games Festival, May 2021

How to pitch your game to publishers (solo talk) - Indie Game Business, March 2021

Investment Panel (moderator) - White Nights Canada , February 2021