America’s best known brick-and-mortar retailer of all things digital gaming, GameStop has announced that they’ve recently appointed Chris Petrovic to fill the newly created position of General Manager of Digital Media.
This new appointment clearly indicates that the retailer can no longer ignore the proliferation of digital downloads and game acquisition, even though the company has downplayed the mechanism previously. Heck, even David Perry has called GameStop COO Dan DeMatteo’s “the era of full digital distribution is 12 to 17 years away,” comment ridiculous, pointing out that the vast majority of the Asian market is dependent on digital distribution. In regards to Petrovic’s appointment, and GameStop’s interest in digital distibution, DeMatteo states that the retailer is well-positioned to “[identify] and effectively [participate] in emerging trends in casual, browser, and mobile gaming.” Sure, there’s no harm in showing up to the party after dinner is served, right? Further to this, DeMatteo stats, “We are … committed to supporting our unique and vast footprint of brick-and-mortar stores and knowledgeable associates with a smart digital business platform.”
Petrovic’s appoint comes on the heals of last Friday’s announcement from GameStop that they’ve launched an online digital casual game store, and revised the overall digital distribution store for the bread and butter PC games market. Direct from GameStop: “Petrovic will be responsible for building on the company’s ongoing efforts to integrate digital media into the company’s multi-channel strategy, as well as overseeing the development and execution of a digital acquisition strategy.”
Prior to coming to GameStop, Chris Petrovic served as VP of digital media at Playboy enterprises, where he was responsible for leading online and mobile projects. He’s also filled executive shoes at the interactive division of greeting cards firm American Greetings, as well as theglobe.com and Prime Ventures.
Is it just me, or does it sound like all the cards are not on the table here? On one hand we’ve got a COO stating that full digital distribution isn’t going to happen for another 12 to 17 years, and that the company is confident in it’s market stance to remain right where they are. On the other hand, GameStop opens an online digital casual games store, only to be followed by the creation of the position of Head of Digital Media. Granted, in today’s market, diversifying your offerings and methods is the smartest way to stay competitive, so why not get the messaging straight here folks? Either GameStop is committed to a digital distribution method, and will put the same type of support behind it that they do with their brick-and-mortar retail divisions, or just leave it alone. The conflicting messages aren’t exactly demonstrating the “We’re all on the same page” message one would like to see from a major retailer. I’m all for GameStop providing a digital distribution service. It certainly saves me a trip to the store, and puts the product in my hands in a matter of minutes, not hours or days – but can’t we all just agree to agree?
