UNITED STATES
TEXAS (Headquarters)
Mike Karnes
Mike is based in our Plano, Texas headquarters. As a Senior Partner Mike, handles some of our premier accounts including GameStop, Blockbuster, Dell, and Radio Shack, as well as video game distributor VPD. His 20 years of selling into a consistent customer base gives him extensive account knowledge and credibility in the industry.
Jon Jackson
Jon is based in our Plano, Texas headquarters. Jon joined SMP in 2001 and has over 20 years experience in buying and selling software and interactive technologies. Before joining SMP, Jon was the Director of Sales-Central Region for Mattel Interactive. He has extensive experience on all sides of the sales transaction: buying, distribution, and publishing, at both the Director and VP level. He is a Wal-Mart Retail-Link expert, and a two-time Software Vendor of the Year at CompUSA. Jon's account base include Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Office Depot, Hastings Entertainment, CompUSA, and AAFES.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Jim Bull
As a Senior Partner at SMP, Jim’s responsibilities include product line strategy, branding, and business management for SMP clients. Jim has worked in sales and marketing management positions in the consumer electronics industry since 1973. His background includes management with companies such as CBS Inc., Mattel Electronics, and Bell & Howell. He has been marketing video games and software since 1982 in various companies: Vice President of Sales at MicroProse, First Software Corp., and as National Sales Manager at Activision to name a few.
Karen Harter
Karen has been with SMP since October 2007 managing customer and vendor relations for the Northeast, mid-Atlantic and Western regions. She graduated with honors from Endicott College and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Bentley College. She has an extensive background in retail management and customer service. In 1999 she created and managed a successful specialty retail shop in New Hampshire which gave her unique and wide-ranging experience with customers, vendors and distributors. Some of our retail partners that Karen works with are Staples, BJ’s, Toys R Us, tru.com, Amazon.com, Fry’s, Fred Meyer, Hollywood Video and Gamecrazy stores among many others as well as several distributors.
CALIFORNIA
Ozzie Katz, Northern California
Ozzie, a Senior Partner with SMP, is an industry veteran. He was the co-founder of Softkat, a leading distributor of entertainment and educational software from 1981-1986. In 1991, he co-founded SMP to better serve the needs of the Publishers in the PC, console, and accessories business. Ozzie's unique history and personal relationships developed over 20 years in this business are matched only by his keen knowledge of sales and marketing strategies and how to implement them for success.
Meredith Popoff, Northern California
Meredith has extensive experience and knowledge of the interactive entertainment industry. Prior to joining SMP, Meredith worked at LucasArts for more than 17 years, where she held the position of Director of Sales. At LucasArts, she drove all retail and distribution sales efforts. Meredith covers key account in the Western Region for SMP such as Amazon.com, Costco, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Hollywood Video, GameCrazy, and Movie Gallery to name a few. Her corporate experience adds to the SMP global thinking and market discipline.
ILLINOIS
Mathew Riccio
Mat has spent most of the past 15 years in various sales positions within the interactive entertainment and consumer electronics industries. He has worked for and with some of the premier vendors in these spaces including Sony Computer Entertainment, GT Interactive, Capcom, Eidos, Seagate Technology, Virgin Mobile and iRiver America. Based out of Chicago, Mat covers key retail accounts in the Midwest including Sears Holding Corporation (Kmart and Sears), Meijer and Toys R Us as well as distribution partner Visco Entertainment.
MINNESOTA
Ben Garber
Ben has worked in Sales Departments for Distribution, Publishers and Retail Stores and has a great understanding of the supply chain for categories including software, video games, home video, accessories and gift cards. He is a graduate of the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs and has extensive knowledge of the Retail Industry. Before SMP, Ben worked for Navarre as a National Account Manager as well as such other notable companies including, Total Non-Stop Action, Blockbuster and T-Mobile. Based out of the Minneapolis office, Ben will be working with Best Buy Productivity, Geek Squad, Office Max, Nebraska Furniture Mart and Pamida.
Jeff Rouse
As a senior partner at SMP, Jeff has over 20 years experience in this industry, including VP of Interactive Media at Ingram Entertainment. His experience spans sales, marketing, merchandising, and operations of Video games and accessories, PC, DVD, and Consumer electronic products. Jeff works with both key retail and distribution partners in the Mid-West, including Best Buy, Target, Navarre Distribution, COKeM, and Ingram Entertainment.
Danielle Torres
Danielle is a graduate of Michigan State University and the University of Minnesota. She comes to SMP with an extensive and varied business background in finance, customer service, retail, and marketing. Before joining SMP in the Midwest Territory, she worked with Crawford Capital Corporation as a business analyst, focusing on venture capitalism and investments. Based out of the Minneapolis office, Danielle will be working with several of our key retailers including Best Buy, Kmart, Sears, Pamida and Nebraska Furniture Mart, as well as several distributors.
Jen Uecker
Jen is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College. She comes to SMP with a varied business background in retail, merchandising, and consulting. Before joining SMP, she worked with Target Corp for two years as a business analyst in the Consumables division. Prior to that she worked with Accenture for four years as a business consultant developing and providing client software support services. She has a BA from Gustavus Adolphus College in International Management. Based out of the Minneapolis office, Jen will be working with several of our key retailers.
VIRGINIA
Carrie Lozo
Carrie brings over 10 years of buying, sales and marketing experience in the video game, accessories, and computer software industry. She began her career in 1998 as a buyer with KB Toys. Carrie has worked with all Video game and PC game publishers as her buying career continued at Toys R Us and Circuit City. She has worked closely with high-profile publishers like Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Activision and EA to name a few. In her role at SMP, she manages Transworld, Jack of All Games and Eurpac BJ's and Staples among other accounts located in the Mid-Atlantic and North-East Region. Carrie has extensive knowledge in her field and prides herself on the delivery of high-quality service to her clientele.
CANADA
TORONTO
Andrew Cole
Andrew has been working in the PC and console industry since 1994. He brings an extensive knowledge of the Canadian marketplace from the retail, distribution, and vendor level. His 16 years in the industry give him valuable experience in account management, marketing programs, and brand management within the unique Canadian retail market. His key accounts include Wal-Mart, Toys'r'Us, Electronics Boutique, Zellers, Costco, Blockbuster, Solutions 2 Go, and Entertainment One Distribution.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Darren Ali
Darren has been involved in retail since 1995 where he began work with Future Shop Canada as a computer sales associate. Darren brings a solid foundation of product knowledge across a wide array of categories. He acted as regional trainer for Future Shop specializing in the product knowledge and sales training of computers, audio and video electronics, as well as home theatre. He also managed retail store operations directly as a department sales manager for computers and telecommunications. The experience gained at the retail level propelled him into a career in the video game industry where he worked at HIP Interactive, a key video game distributor in Canada, for 3 years. Darren joined SMP in January of 2004 and covers the Western Canadian accounts along with Ken Dornbusch, such as Best Buy Canada, Future Shop, Rogers Video, Real Canadian Superstore, and London Drugs.
Ken Dornbusch
Ken was with Future Shop for 12 years before joining Click & Mortar and the SMP Sales Team. He brings solid experience in sales, marketing, advertising, staff and inventory management, merchandising, and budget control, as well as superior negotiation skills. He has strong relationships at all levels of management with key Canadian retailers. He and Darren cover accounts based in Western Canada such as Best Buy Canada, Future Shop, Rogers Video, Real Canadian Superstore, and London Drugs.