Former JoWood, Nokia Exec Now Heading Frogster America

Berlin-headquartered MMO publisher Frogster Interactive Pictures (Runes of Magic) has replaced ousted CEO Lars Koschin with Kay Gruenwoldt, who will serve as the general manager of its American operations. As the new head of Frogster America, Gruenwoldt will work with the San Francisco-based subsidiary's CFO Dirk Meyer zu Drewer in expanding the company's presence in the region. He is tasked with growing the North American branch's product portfolio, staff, scope, and revenues "substantially." Gruenwoldt has a 15-year history in the gaming and entertainment industries, holding executive-level management and marketing positions at firms like Nokia and Austrian publisher JoWood. He also founded games consultancy Walking Squid Advisory and Games Academy Vancouver Inc. Frogster America's previous head, Lars Koschin, was fired for unexplained reasons last October along with the parent company's chief financial officer Ralf Kloppel and chief administrative officer Bjorn Koschin (Lars' brother), all of whom are now working for or at rival German publisher Neonga. "Frogster is poised to expand its business in the North American MMO market. I am ready to add my industry experience to contribute to the strong team we already have in place," said Gruenwoldt.