Back then, working in the gaming industry wasn't the most conventional choice, but when she arrived at Gameloft, she "knew [it] was the place where [she] wanted to grow and establish [herself]." And Ana has definitely come a long way these past 14 years!
Read on to find out more about her journey, her team of community moderators, and how she knew Gameloft was and still is the place for her.
Hi, Ana! Tell us about yourself.
I started working at Gameloft 14 years ago, and I've been learning a lot of things that have helped me to develop myself professionally but also personally as a human being ever since.
I still remember my mother was quite upset at me for not choosing to follow her own career path and to work as an accountant like she always dreamed of. Back then, she kept telling me, “My dear child, what career will you make out of… games? This is not a domain that will provide you recognition, satisfaction, or long-term benefits.” But what my mother did for a living didn't suit me, and I knew I wanted to do something else professionally.
When I first arrived at Gameloft, I was very excited! The new culture, the work environment and atmosphere, all those wonderful and creative people who brought magic and joy into the souls of their players… Everything was very exciting to me, and I knew this was the place where I wanted to grow and establish myself. And back then, Gameloft was just setting out on its own magical adventure!
In 2009, I had the fantastic opportunity to be given the chance to form my own Community Management team. I still remember when my manager said to me, “I trust you, Ana! I know you'll be able to handle the challenges and you'll do a wonderful job!”
I grew wings and since then, I've continued to fly, sometimes without guidance and sometimes with internal support, but all these wonderful years sprinkled with challenges and adventures have shaped me into who I am today. And I don’t regret a single second!
I really love working with people because I see fantastic potential in everyone, and I want to do my best to bring the best out of people and to grow and develop together with them, side by side.
What is your role, and what do you enjoy most about your job?
I'm the global engagement marketing manager and I lead the community moderators team based in Bucharest and Cluj. We’re a small group of passionate people dedicated to helping people. We're enthusiastic, empathetic, and have a large appetite for communication.
My role as the global engagement marketing manager is to think and design various programs and interesting initiatives that nurture and drive engagement to increase customer satisfaction, player loyalty, and love for our games.
A major part of my mission is to help our digital marketing manager shape the engagement marketing strategy plan at the strategic (generating bold and innovative ideas for growth) and tactical levels (managing engagement tools, analyzing data, solving problems, running competition benchmark analyses, etc.).
My team and I are dedicated to developing and growing deep, meaningful, and long-lasting relationships with our players across our social networks. In support of this, the engagement and retention of our customers has become a top priority for us. We’re here to develop trust and loyalty towards our games and to share information about our communities with the game teams.
I wouldn’t be here if I didn't love connecting with people. I truly believe in building a strong bridge between us and our players and cultivating a happy environment to keep everyone motivated and involved—inside and outside our organization.
I like driving impactful programs, planning strategies to raise the bar, and of course, having the satisfaction of seeing these plans and initiatives come to life.
It’s very important to me to inspire passion in the people I work with, to raise their confidence and motivation, and to help them reach their goals. We're a true team, and I love brainstorming with them to get to know their thoughts about various topics.
As a team, we’re constantly looking to improve, learn new skills, and adapt to the changes around us. We're an important piece of a mechanism that moves our organization forward and each of us must recognize its value, mission, and contribution to Gameloft's future.
What are some of your most memorable moments at Gameloft?
I could talk endlessly about wonderful moments I've spent with some really special people who aren't just colleagues but also friends. I’ve gathered so many memories in 14 years at Gameloft that I don't even know where to start!
Of course, all the incredible moments revolve around the people I've worked and currently work with: tie day, joyful Christmas parties, funny team building sessions, coffee breaks and discussions about a thousand different topics (from how a hen’s egg is formed to how the Universe was created), Halloween parties, Secret Santa, surprise coffee and beautiful flowers received from colleagues on different occasions, our office chair races, and the list goes on and on!
To my colleagues who are reading this, you need to know that I miss you! I'm already feeling nostalgic. I miss my colleagues and office life!
What advice do you have for people, but especially women, who want to work in gaming in a similar role?
Even though the gaming industry has been and still is dominated by men, I’m very glad to see that things are changing now more than ever.
Women have been a minority in this area for quite a long time, but we're gaining more and more ground and are proving that we have the passion, strength, cleverness, and perseverance to build successful careers in the gaming industry. I believe the future is bright for us women!
The beginning of my career in the industry was difficult because 14 years ago people didn’t understand how you could have a career in such a field. My parents were quite reluctant to accept my dream job because they thought it wouldn't allow me evolve professionally in any way. But my advice is to never give up on what you enjoy doing, and don’t let the “thinkers” and their beliefs affect you. Just follow your dreams because they'll know how to guide you towards the right path!
Ana is part of the Global Digital Marketing Group, and they're currently looking for a Social Media Manager to join their team in the Paris studio. Click here for the job description and to apply, and tune in next week for another edition of Humans Behind the Game!
