The whole internet is abuzz with rumors after Blizzard Entertainment posted a job opening for a Franchise Development Producer. The description of this position definitely makes you ponder:

“Work with major consumer brands to facilitate product placement and licensing within the world of Blizzard Entertainment’s next-gen MMO that enhances the gameplay experience.”

This description causes one to ponder if the upcoming Next-Gen MMO is based in a post-apocalyptic Earth scenario, or “Terran” intergalactic setting. To be clear, this is the type of position responsible to get — for example — Pepsi, Dominos Pizza, LEGO, Intel, NVIDIA type of advertisement in posters, billboards, and signs across a city landscape.

Games you might have seen with this type of content: Prototype, Hellgate: London, TheSims and other games.

A few days ago, I speculated on Blizzard developing a Transformers MMO — which is of course far-fetched. A game like that could use the micro-transaction model, showing in-game ads via posters, billboards, and commercial signs.

Job Opening: Franchise Development Producer

Blizzard Entertainment is looking for a highly organized individual with outstanding communications skills, proven experience in production, and a track record of shipping AAA products to help lead the efforts on its next-gen MMO.

Responsibilities

  • Be the key evangelist for producing products which expand the next-gen MMO brand outside of the gaming industry, ensuring alignment with Blizzard Entertainment’s overall brand strategy.
  • Be the key liaison between the development team and other functional teams within Blizzard Entertainment (e.g. creative development, licensing, marketing, legal) to create brand-extending merchandise for the next-gen MMO franchise, including:
    • Books / Novels
    • Action figures
    • Comics
    • Short movies
    • Apparel
  • Work with major consumer brands to facilitate product placement and licensing within the world of Blizzard Entertainment’s next-gen MMO that enhances the gameplay experience.
  • Direct strategic analysis of market trends and competition.
  • Build and manage internal and external partner relationships.
  • Work with legal team to define and conquer any legal hurdles necessary to execute the franchise vision.

Requirements

  • Demonstrated passion for computer games and related entertainment products / media (i.e. comics, movies, toys, etc.)
  • Outstanding communications, project management, and relationship-building skills
  • A minimum of 3 years product management, licensing, or business development experience in the entertainment or toy industries
  • Able to work well in a team environment with various internal groups such as creative development, marketing, legal, Blizzard Entertainment development teams, etc.
  • Able to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously and meet deadlines
  • Outstanding networking skills
  • Bachelor’s degree

Apply to this job position here.

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. and its affiliated companies is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Micro-Transaction Images

Here are some old screenshots I got from Hellgate: London beta a few years ago. Posters could be found throughout the subway stations.

Some Prototype screenshots with billboards.