Deconstructor of Fun

CEO and co-founder of PvX Partners (www.pvxpartners.com), Joe Wadakethalakal shares his unique journey from India to Indonesia and beyond. Key takeaways from our chat with Joe Wadakethalakal: **Resilience matters**: Entrepreneurship is brutal—Joe’s journey shows how surviving failures and tough times builds long-term success. **Market size over Network**: Starting in large, scalable markets (U.S., India, China) beats hustling in smaller ones. Lesson learned the hard way. **Smart fundraising wins**: Raising capital isn’t just about money—it’s about unlocking talent, momentum, and strategic growth. Just don’t overdo it! Chapters: 00:00 Intro 05:53 Banking and Private Equity Experience 12:28 Challenges and Lessons Learned 18:53 Joining MPL and Strategic Growth 49:20 The Importance of Capital in Startups 54:10 Leaving MPL and Starting PVX 01:00:48 PVX's Unique Approach to UA Financing 01:19:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

CAST YOUR VOTE! https://forms.gle/BfBn6H123S2D1QdY9 Brace yourself for the most candid awards show in gaming! Join us as we dissect the highs and lows of 2024, dishing out Golden TWIGs for the year’s most memorable moments. From epic fails to surprising triumphs, we’re covering it all: Company Carnage: Who took the biggest hits? Gaming Letdowns: Which hyped title fell flat? Layoff Lowlights: The most brutal workforce cuts Oops, We Did It Again: Our most embarrassing predictions Get ready for unvarnished opinions, heated debates, and a no-holds-barred look at the gaming industry’s rollercoaster year. Don’t miss this annual tradition where you separate the gold from the garbage!

The Hybridcasual Playbook https://metahybridcasualplaybook.splashthat.com/ In this episode of the Deconstructor of Fun podcast, Mishka Katkoff interviews Vincent Fevrier, CMO of Tap Nation, discussing the evolution of hybrid casual games and the unique position of French publishers in the gaming industry. They explore Tap Nation's growth from a startup to a mid-size publisher, the challenges of transitioning from hypercasual to hybrid casual, and the importance of user acquisition and marketing strategies. The conversation also delves into acquisition strategies, building internal capabilities for live operations, and the future outlook for the gaming industry. Chapters 00:00 The Rise of Hypercasual Gaming in France 02:52 Tap Nation's Evolution: From Hypercasual to Hybrid Casual 06:04 Navigating Challenges in a Post-COVID Gaming Landscape 08:54 Marketing Strategies: LTV vs. CAC in Hybrid Casual 12:04 Acquisition Strategies: Building a Portfolio of Games 14:56 Operational Changes: Adapting to Hybrid Casual Dynamics 17:51 Building Internal Capabilities for Game Development 21:00 The Future of Tap Nation: Diversifying Game Types 24:07 Competing in a Crowded Market: Finding Unique Assets 32:25 The Competitive Landscape of Game Publishing 35:11 Building Relationships in the Gaming Industry 39:11 Navigating Acquisitions and Partnerships 44:17 The Evolution of Tapnation and Its Strategies 50:43 Industry Outlook: Challenges and Opportunities keywords hypercasual, hybrid casual, gaming industry, Tap Nation, ad tech, game development, user acquisition, monetization strategies, French gaming market, game publishing, game publishing, acquisitions, industry trends, mobile gaming, Tapnation, partnerships, user acquisition, market growth, gaming industry, competitive landscape

Michail Katkoff and Gerard Miles dive into the nuances of executive headhunting, exploring the role of headhunters, pathways to the C-suite, and the significance of personal branding and mentorship in career growth. They share insights on how candidates can position themselves for leadership roles and embrace strategic thinking to thrive in a competitive hiring landscape. The discussion also highlights common mistakes in the executive search process, the importance of empathy in interviews, and the value of building genuine relationships. They address the challenges and advantages of international relocation, as well as the growing role of AI in hiring, stressing the need for candidates to be prepared and deeply engaged throughout the process. 00:00 Introduction to Executive Headhunting 01:00 Understanding the Role of an Executive Headhunter 10:41 Navigating the C-Suite: Pathways to Leadership 20:36 Building Your Personal Brand for Executive Roles 27:32 The Importance of Mentorship in Career Growth 37:59 Common Mistakes in Executive Search 44:40 Empathy in the Interview Process 51:40 Building Relationships in Recruitment 57:38 Challenges and Benefits of International Relocation 01:10:48 The Rise of AI in Executive Hiring keywords: executive headhunting, C-suite, leadership, personal brand, mentorship, career growth, talent acquisition, strategic thinking, networking, hiring process, executive search, interview preparation, candidate experience, recruitment process, international relocation, AI in hiring, empathy in interviews, building relationships, hiring mistakes, talent acquisition