Steven J. Knezevich

(347) 394-7774

steven.knezevich@gmail.com

WORK EXPERIENCE

Rockstar Games (Take-2 Interactive), New York , NY

Product Manager, 2001-2009

·   Managed multi-console product launches for current-generation console, PC and portable gaming titles. Collaborated with peers to generate worldwide marketing copy, strategic positioning documents, brand identity framework, franchise history, sales philosophy, and budget plans.

  • Titles: all franchise iterations between Grand Theft Auto 3 through Grand Theft Auto 4, Midnight Club, The Warriors, Max Payne, Bully, Smuggler’s Run
  • Worked in conjunction with PR team to manage game demos for the public and press in order to maximize coverage and produce wholly unique gaming coverage.  Secured screenshot and video assets for deadline as well as clarity and freshness in tiered messaging.
  • Examples:
    • The Warriors: "Gangs of New York" 1, 2, 3
    • GTA: San Andreas: "Hood Life" 1, 2 and "Good Life" 1, 2

·   Maintained a focus on interactive consumer marketing. Established the company as a leader in the interactive space by promoting a competitive presence in emerging technologies. Aided the conceptualization of an online game portal for stat tracking, video sharing, community participation and tagging of in-game music available for purchase on Amazon.

  • "GTA IV Hustles Songs Through Amazon MP3" (Wired)
  • Assisted in securing 2nd banner ad placement in the history of YouTube (Bully)
  • Expanded portalized website content to MySpace (GTA IV) and Facebook (Rockstar)

·   Liasoned between internal departments including international and external 3rd party partners to ensure all marketing efforts were consistent with the brand identity and delivered according to deadline, process and quality standards. Established and managed brand co-promotion partnerships and provided consultation and research for the optimization of media placement.

·   Engineered Sharepoint workflow management and built Artesia Digital Asset Management metadata solution for archival needs.

X-Large, Mfg. LLC,  Los AngelesCA

Web Producer, 1999-2000 – Art Production/Graphic Design, 1993-1996                         

·   Established first e-commerce enabled launch of company website (xlarge.com), increasing sales revenues exponentially each month.  Helped to oversee inventory control, order processing, customer service, returns, and merchant bank verification maintenance.  Site is still active today.

·   Designed graphics, sales materials and advertising for seasonal clothing line and accessories.  Assisted in the design and manufacture of projects from outside clients.

  • Clients design included Capitol Records (Beastie Boys “Ill Communication”, Hurricane “The Hurra”, Girl / Chocolate Skateboards, Grand Royal Records promo comps), Polydor, etc.

 

OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE

Viva-Radio.com (American Apparel) - Business Development Consultant, 2007 – 2008

·         Provided business development, marketing and operations consulting for worldwide independent apparel retailer involved in streaming in-house radio station (viva-radio.com) to over 192 stores worldwide.  Helped to organized contributor based content, blog launch and playlist PR to expand core branding message surrounding corporate identity toward key online lifestyle consumer demographic

·         Launched first international in-store sale initiative of Sebastien Tellier “Sexuality” (RecordMakers) on CD and LP

·   MEAN Magazine, Los Angeles , CA - Founder, 1997

·         Provided framework for groundbreaking film/music/culture Los Angeles-based magazine (meanmag.net)

·   SONY Pictures,  Culver City , CA - Pre-visualization Computer Illustrator, 1996

·   Grand Royal Magazine, Atwater Village , CA – Editor / Art Director of official Beastie Boys fanzine – 1994 – 1996

·         Brought together stories and content for official Beastie Boys fanzine featuring cover stories about Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and the evolution of the synthesizer.

o       Helped to secure the etymology of the word “mullet” which appeared in the magazine for inclusion in the Oxford English Dictionary. 

 

FREELANCE WRITING

Written about film, music and art for the LA Weekly, Movieline, Art Issues, X-Tra, Sound Collector Audio Review and the Cinefamily monthly calendar.

 

EDUCATION

California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA, 1995-1997

MFA: Critical/Creative Writing & Integrated Media

University of Southern California , Los Angeles, CA, 1991-1995

BFA: School of Cinema/Television Division of Critical Studies

 

INTERESTS

Cycling, swimming, rare books, music journalism, package design, experimental cinema, elder care volunteerism.