Sean Kauppinen – Founder and CEO
Sean Kauppinen is the founder and CEO of the International Digital Entertainment Agency. He has more than 25 years of management, business development, publishing, game production and strategic marketing expertise in the digital entertainment industry. His ability to bring companies together and provide strategic guidance has led to business growth for industry giants as well as start-ups. During this time, Kauppinen has been involved in the launch of more than 600 titles on all major gaming platforms.
He has consulted governments on creating and growing their digital entertainment industries and has served in senior management roles with start-ups and established companies. Kauppinen has worked internally for large game companies including Sony Online Entertainment, Ubisoft, and 3dfx. He is widely regarded as one of the games industry’s best connected and most knowledgeable insiders.
Kauppinen currently holds advisory board positions with more than a dozen early stage companies. He also has served as the special adviser to the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences and is a former board member of SXSW, GDC Europe, GCDC, GCAC, GameOn Finance and the NLGD Festival of Games.
Kauppinen is a sought-after speaker at high-profile industry events around the world, where he has delivered keynote speeches, taught master classes and led more than 30 interactive sessions on topics including the business of games, marketing, strategic communications, community development, business development, the future of the games industry, funding, and bringing original IP to market.
Kauppinen has spoken around the world at events including MICA Argentina (2017), Colombia 3.0 (2016), Respawn Conference (2015), European Game Executives Summit (2014), Colombia 2.0 (2013), Cromafest (2012), Anigames Expo (2011), AnimfxNZ (2009-11), GDC Europe (2009-10), DELF (2010), GAME IS (2010-11), Engage Expo (2010), Community Management Conference (2010) Keynote, GC Asia Conference (2007-09), FilmARC (2009), Festival of Games (2008-09), X|Media Lab (Wellington 2008), GameON: Finance (2008), AFCI Cineposium (2008), Free Gaming Business (2008), GC Developers Conference (2005-08), GDC (2007), International eSports Conference (2007), Games Marketing Conference (2006), Making Games Conference (2006), Austin Games Conference (2006), and GSTAR (2006).
Specialties:
Start-up Management, Business Development, Corporate Strategy, International Business, Commercialization, Business Model Consulting, M&A, Funding, Product Launches, Monetization, Self-Publishing Services, Communications Strategy, Pre-Publisher Awareness, Branding, Corporate Image, Messaging, Exit Strategy, Valuation Maximization, Videogame PR, Interactive Entertainment, Digital Media, Content Culturalization, Online Gaming