Atari, Inc., an interactive entertainment company, announced today the appointment of Jonathan Anastas as its Head of Marketing, effective immediately.  The announcement was made by Atari, Inc. CEO and President, Jim Wilson to whom Anastas will report. 

Anastas brings to Atari a unique and holistic understanding of advertising and marketing derived from more than 15 years of experience across a range of companies and product categories including leadership roles at large multi-national advertising agencies, and entrepreneurial start-ups, spanning Digital, traditional and direct response.  His category experience includes work with Vivendi Universal Games, THQ and Disney Interactive Studios.

In his new role as Vice President, Head of Marketing, Anastas will be responsible for leading the development and execution of all product and brand marketing strategies for Atari’s global retail and online businesses.

“Jonathan brings an incredibly successful and diverse world marketing view to Atari during an opportune time in our global growth trajectory. As the videogame consumer expands in demographic, region and platform, the marketing role demands more knowledge of mediums and methods than ever before,” said Wilson. “Jonathan delivers all that and more to Atari and we welcome his leadership and creativity.”

“I consider Atari to be one of the most important and loved brands in interactive entertainment,” said Anastas. “With the expansion of gaming and content distribution from console to mobile devices, social media platforms and the Web, the company has a unique opportunity to leverage that passion into un-matched growth.   I hope to combine my digital and offline experience – as well as best practices and thinking from a number of marketing categories - in new ways to build both brand equity and sales.”

Before joining Atari, Anastas served as Divisional President, Digital at Mercury Media Holdings, where he was led the company’s National digital practice, overseeing strategy and day-to-day operations across the three offices of this $350 million dollar Response Media agency.  Created in 2007 and held by private equity firm EOS Partners, Mercury is one of the nation’s largest measurable media agencies.

Jonathan has held a number of executive positions at leading advertising agencies including Saatchi & Saatchi, Mullen and Omnicom agencies Think New Ideas and DDB, and hired in 2007 as President of Red Urban, Tribal DDB’s conflict brand.