Rowland Cox is a seasoned entertainment executive whose career spans more than 25 years at the crossroads of gaming, community, and strategic publishing. From the earliest days of analog tabletop campaigns to the launch of blockbuster AAA digital titles, Rowland has left his mark on the global entertainment landscape. His journey is one of creative tenacity, strategic foresight, and an enduring belief in the power of interactive storytelling to bring people together. With roles at industry titans like Tencent, Electronic Arts, Wargaming, and Kabam, Rowland has continuously pushed boundaries—cultivating not only immersive games but also the passionate communities that grow around them.
His career began in the analog realm, managing and producing for Games Workshop, where he helmed development of the acclaimed Battle Games in Middle-earth—a serialized gaming supplement that sold over 15 million copies globally. Rowland’s early leadership saw him orchestrating teams across editorial, production, marketing, and logistics, demonstrating an innate ability to synthesize complex workflows into seamless product launches. Even then, his intuitive grasp of what excites players—combined with precise execution—set him apart as a standout producer and community advocate.
As the digital revolution took hold, Rowland transitioned into the video game industry, bringing his analog insights into digital realms. At Electronic Arts, he became a trailblazer in community and social marketing, pioneering game influencer strategies in 2009—well before they became industry norms. At EA Mythic, he steered community engagement for iconic titles like Warhammer Online, Ultima Online, and Wrath of Heroes, all while building bridges between development, marketing, and fans. His hands-on approach and powerful stage presence led to appearances at major conventions such as Gamescom and DreamHack, where he energized audiences and championed transparency between studios and players.
At PopCap, Rowland ascended to the role of Lead Social and Community Marketing Manager, driving record-breaking engagement for Plants vs. Zombies and Bejeweled. His campaigns grew Twitter and YouTube channels by over 300%, blending whimsical brand storytelling with analytics-driven decision-making. He conceptualized and led the “Live from PopCap” YouTube show, amassing over 5 million views and becoming a model for player-centric content in the live services era.
Rowland’s impact deepened further at Wargaming, where he served as North American Publishing Director. Tasked with revitalizing and repositioning a broad portfolio, he drove product-market fit efforts across more than 20 game concepts. His efforts led to a pivotal $100MM capital reallocation from the Seattle studio, unlocking fresh opportunities for innovation. His market analysis, gameplay economy evaluations, and player funnel designs redefined Wargaming’s approach to Western markets, making him a trusted advisor across global leadership teams.
At Kabam, he led live operations and strategic redevelopment for Marvel Contest of Champions, orchestrating a complete rebuild of the early game funnel. His strategy boosted Day 30 retention by 67% globally and doubled early-game conversions—clear evidence of his precision in marrying design with monetization and engagement. He also gracefully managed the sunsetting of Marvel Realm of Champions, executing player migration with empathy, foresight, and operational rigor.
From 2023 to 2025, Rowland brought his leadership to Tencent, where he oversaw global community and social strategy for Assassin’s Creed Jade and other unannounced titles. A trusted Western market specialist, he also played a pivotal role in the Chinese launches of Path of Exile 2 and Warframe. His command of cultural nuance, language fluency (including Chinese and French), and player psychology helped Tencent navigate the intricacies of cross-border publishing with clarity and creativity.
Most recently, Rowland took the helm as Head of Publishing at Force Multiplier Studios, guiding the early development and community strategy for Kickboxer and Karnivus. His market research and strategic positioning were instrumental in securing $5MM in funding—a testament to his continuing relevance as both a creative leader and business strategist. Whether advising C-suite executives, managing creative teams, or architecting product roadmaps, Rowland’s ability to bridge vision with execution remains a constant.
Across all phases of his career, Rowland has exemplified the dual disciplines of craft and care. He understands that building great games and entertainment experiences requires not only technical excellence but also a deep connection to the players. His leadership is grounded in mentorship, empathy, and a relentless focus on value creation. From mentoring junior producers to advising half a dozen CEOs, he has maintained a clear-eyed commitment to elevating teams and products alike.
At his core, Rowland is a gamer, a reader, and a storyteller. He believes in play as a transformative force—whether it’s on a board, a console, or a screen. He is driven by a love for the craft, a respect for his peers, and a deep appreciation of the audience. Open to new board roles and advisory opportunities, he continues to seek out companies and founders who are building bold, community-centered experiences in entertainment, marketing, games, and hobby industries.
Character:
Rowland leads with integrity, creativity, and a passion for collaborative progress. He builds trust quickly across all levels of an organization and consistently demonstrates empathy in both leadership and player-facing roles.
Knowledge:
With over two decades in analog and digital entertainment, Rowland brings deep expertise across publishing, live operations, community strategy, and monetization. His knowledge of international markets and multi-platform ecosystems is both expansive and immediately applicable.
Strategic:
He excels at seeing both the macro and micro—balancing business goals with the nuanced realities of product development. His strategies have repeatedly unlocked capital, boosted retention, and reshaped product-market alignment across top-tier organizations.
Communication:
Rowland’s communication is both strategic and sincere. Whether on stage, in a boardroom, or with a global fanbase, he articulates vision and feedback with clarity, purpose, and inspiration.
