Capcom taps top THQ exec

THQ is a game publisher that has built much of its reputation on games based on licenses. Powerful brands that include WWE wrestling, movies such as The Incredibles, Cars, Finding Nemo, and The Polar Express, as well as cartoons such as Power Rangers, SpongeBob SquarePants, Rugrats, and Scooby-Doo!, have at one time or another been fodder for games from the publisher.

Tomorrow, Capcom will announce it has hired the individual responsible for those and other licensing deals to manage its own nascent licensing division. Germaine Gioia, formerly THQ's vice president of licensing, will take on the role of senior vice president of licensing, a new position at Capcom. She will report to Capcom USA senior vice president Mark Beaumont and will work out of Capcom's Los Angeles office, where she started work yesterday.

Gioia leaves THQ after more than 13 years at the company. Her agenda at Capcom will be to elevate Capcom's global presence "to attract the right properties to expand business in North America and Europe," according to the company.

In a statement, Beaumont said Gioia "brings a wealth of talent and a history of success to Capcom and is well qualified to support our growth plans. Her TV, film, and other industry relationships in conjunction with Capcom's reputation for quality development will give us a seat at the table for any potential license, maximizing our ability to bring high quality entertainment content to all our consumers. She is an incredibly valuable and welcome addition to our growing management team."