David Calkins
About David Calkins
David Calkins serves as the Manager of Communications & Content at Playful Studios, where he has developed content strategies across various digital channels and built influencer relations programs. With a background in communications and experience at several gaming companies, he has played a key role in marketing campaigns and community engagement initiatives.
Work at Playful Studios
David Calkins serves as the Manager of Communications & Content at Playful Studios, a position he has held since 2014. In this role, he has developed and executed content calendars across various digital channels, including social media, email marketing, and web presence. Calkins has also built Playful's influencer relations program and created an influencer sponsorship campaign for the official launch of Creativerse. Additionally, he established Playful's livestreaming program, which featured popular series for the Creativerse community and achieved over 1000 concurrent viewers.
Previous Experience in Communications
Before joining Playful Studios, David Calkins held several positions in the communications field. He worked as a PR Intern at Agilix Labs, Inc. for eight months in 2005. He then served as a Senior Account Executive at Weber Shandwick from 2005 to 2010, followed by a brief tenure as Communications Manager at NewToy Inc. in 2010. Calkins also worked as Lead Community Manager at Zynga from 2010 to 2013, where he managed community engagement and communication strategies.
Education and Expertise
David Calkins earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Brigham Young University, where he studied from 1998 to 2005. His educational background provides a foundation for his expertise in communications, content creation, and community management within the gaming industry.
Collaborations and Contributions
Throughout his career, David Calkins has collaborated with major gaming companies, including Nintendo, Microsoft, and Oculus, to develop marketing communications launch plans for the Lucky's Tale franchise. He has managed the creation of key marketing assets, such as launch trailers and press kits for Playful's titles. Calkins has also contributed to the transition of Creativerse to a pay-once-play-forever model and participated in the remastering of Lucky's Tale for Oculus Quest 2.
Content Creation and Community Engagement
In addition to his managerial responsibilities, David Calkins has authored multiple blog posts about Creativerse and Lucky's Tale, enhancing community engagement and providing insights into the games. His efforts in content creation and community interaction have played a significant role in fostering a strong connection between Playful Studios and its audience.