Jeff Karp, a former Electronic Arts and Zynga executive, has been named as managing director and president of Big Fish Games.
He will take over the Seattle-based casual games company, which was recently acquired by Australia’s Aristocrat Technologies, it’s second parent company in four years.
He replaces founder and former CEO Paul Thelen, who oversaw the sale of the company to Kentucky Derby operator Churchill Downs Inc. for $885 million in 2014. Thelen left following Big Fish’s $990 million acquisition by Australia’s Aristocrat Technologies in January. J
Karp has more than 15 years of experience in the video games industry and spent more than 10 years at EA in a variety of positions including executive vice president of EA’s Play Label.
“I am honored to be working with such a creative and talented group, who are focused on enhancing life through exceptional play,” Karp said in a press release. “Big Fish is a content-rich company and its employees are passionate about making great games that bring joy and fun to millions of players around the world.”
In his new role, the company says Karp will oversee the company’s continued growth and manage its portfolio of games, including Big Fish Casino, Cooking Craze, and Gummy Drop.
The company is still dealing with a federal appeals court ruling in March that the Big Fish Casino constituted illegal online gambling. The ruling, currently under appeal, has repercussions for the entire social games market.
