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John Polson
Tencent - *not a recruiter* partnerships / investments in AI, game tech, and video game development studios
John Polson is the Director of Business Development at Tencent America, a position he has held since December 2021.1 He is based in the Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area and has an extensive background in the gaming industry.1
Career Highlights
Tencent America: John joined Tencent America in December 2021 as the Director of Business Development.1 In this role, he is likely responsible for identifying and developing business opportunities for Tencent in the American market.
Humble Bundle: Prior to joining Tencent, John had a successful career at Humble Bundle, where he held several positions:
- Portfolio Director (December 2019 - December 2021)
- Publishing Manager (July 2018 - December 2019)
- Senior Business Developer, Publishing Lead (September 2016 - July 2018)
During his time at Humble Bundle, John made significant contributions to the company's success. He secured games that helped Humble achieve high rankings in publisher Metacritic rankings, negotiated and signed over 100 titles for publishing or investment, and expanded Humble's catalog across PC, console, and mobile platforms.1
Skills and Expertise
John is described as "an extremely intelligent, nuanced businessperson who makes great curation and success-centric decisions".1 His experience spans various aspects of the gaming industry, including:
- Business development
- Game publishing
- Talent scouting
- Deal negotiation
- Content curation
- Platform partnerships
Background and Education
John holds a degree in International Relations and Business from the University of South Florida (2000-2005).1 He also spent a year as an exchange student at Kansai Gaidai University in Japan, where he focused on learning about Japanese culture and mastering the Japanese language.1
John's diverse background, which includes roles in journalism, marketing, and community relations, has likely contributed to his success in the gaming industry and his current position at Tencent America.