Although I normally use this blog to discuss business issues related to social gaming, I wanted to elaborate on my recent career move and thank all the great people at Disney International that I have worked with the past year.
Today is my first day as the CEO of 519 Games (no, our website it not up yet). 519 is a joint venture of two media companies, the EW Scripps Company (http://www.scripps.com/) and Capitol Broadcasting (http://www.cbc-raleigh.com/). We are currently building a fantastic team and will be one of the top five social gaming companies (both social web and social mobile) by the end of 2012. More details will emerge over the next few weeks.
I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of my former colleagues with Disney International. The people I met and worked with in Europe, Russia, India and Latin America were some of the most incredible, smartest and nicest individuals that I have ever worked with. I originally was going to call them out specifically, but every time I wrote a draft of this post I remembered somebody else. I realized that no matter how hard I tried, I would forget someone who improved my experience.
From the top of Disney International down, it is an incredible and diverse group. Everybody was approachable, everybody was nice and friendly and everyone worked together. Yet the diverse personalities were what made the last year so great. Although it is difficult to articulate, I met literally hundreds of people who had larger than life personalities, all unique, all creative and all helpful.
It was this great collection of people that helped me learn and grow professionally that I can now move on to the biggest opportunity I have ever had. Again, thank you all.
The Business of Social Games and Casino 
Hi Lloyd, I actually do not know you but had very good experience with Disney last year when I asked them for permission to use some comics for illustration of my speech at the European Software Conference – and in general I believe that they are doing a great job. But honestly, where on the web do I find your new Games 519? Thanks David Founder and President ESWC
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Hi David, as I mentioned in the second paragraph, we have not launched our website yet. Today’s my first day at 519, give me at least a couple of weeks 🙂
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Hi Lloyd, wish you lots of success in this new role. Looking forward to some of the great games your company will produce in years to come.
All the Best!
Cheers!
Viveck K Deengar
Disney India
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Thanks and I hope to work with you, Miyuri, Dushyent and Nitan again in the future. I really enjoyed our conversations and think there are great opportunities in your market.
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Congrats Lloyd!! You movers-and-shakers always have something new going on! hehe If you get a chance, give me a holler. I’d love to catch up over lunch or something. Who knows, maybe you have some great ideas for pushing social gaming into the pediatrics markets. I’d be “all over that”! 😉
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Great news !
Can not wait to play the games you will ship.
Wish you all the best in this new endeavor.
In France, we say “Champagne !”
Olivier Royer
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Congratulations and good luck with your new venture, Lloyd! Look forward to seeing the successes of 519!
Marcos from Spil Games
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Hi Lloyd,
I had a meeting with Steve Verwoede and he recommended that I talk with you about a social game engine that we have developed. I am located in Chapel Hill and was wondering if there was a time to meet this week or next.
Thanks
Steve
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Congratulations, Lloyd! I just ran into an article discussing this blog in the gaming press. Best of luck in your new venture!
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