GET TO KNOW EMILIA – PLAYGROUNDSQUADS NEW HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS
Who are you, and what have you done before joining PlaygroundSquad?
My name is Emilia, and I’ve spent nearly 20 years working as a freelancer in film, television, communications and education. I’m a 42-year-old mum of three, with far too many hobbies and I'm a big fan of DIY culture. When I’m not working, you’ll probably find me trying out different crafts or touring with my grindcore band, Gadget.
What made you want to become part of PlaygroundSquad?
I've worked with PlaygroundSquad on various assignments and projects over the years, mainly related to communications but also with PlaygroundSquad's game development summer camp.
I love this school and feel right at home here. It's wonderful to be surrounded by creative projects and cool people. It ticks all the boxes for what I want to work with and contribute to.
What do you think is most important when building strong, long-lasting relationships?
Listening, learning, and being willing to share your experience and knowledge.
PlaygroundSquad is a vocational higher education programme shaped by the needs of, and relationships with, the games industry. A significant part of the programme consists of internships, and one of my roles will be to act as a bridge between our students and the professional world.
I have a great foundation to build on, with a strong industry advisory board helping us keep the programme relevant. My approach will be to stay curious, open-minded and attentive.
Having run my own business and managed numerous projects, I know that great things happen through meeting people, sharing ideas and building a network of people who want to make things happen.
What makes PlaygroundSquad special, and how would you like more people to discover the programme?
It's the community and the atmosphere. The expertise and dedication of our teachers, advisory board and students. Tensionhuset in Falun is full of great people and gaming culture.
The programme has been around for almost 30 years, making it one of the oldest game development programmes in the world. There's a real sense of history and continuous development in this building, and you can feel it when you're here.
Our best ambassadors are our students, and I think that's something special. Their own stories, experiences and words about the programme are how I want more people to discover PlaygroundSquad.
Of course, you can also find us online at Playgroundsquad.com, on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Discord and LinkedIn, or meet us at trade fairs, events and conferences.
Come say hello whenever you spot us!
How would you like to develop the relationships between Playgroundsquad, its students, the games industry and future partners?
I hope to build on the relationships we already have while also exploring new opportunities and ways to collaborate. Since I'm still relatively new in the role, there are many exciting meetings ahead that I'm really looking forward to.
This spring, we'll be hosting PSQ Connect for the second consecutive year in its current format. It's an opportunity for game studios and companies to meet our students in a welcoming and efficient way, and to explore potential future collaborations.
If you'd like to know more or take part, feel free to get in touch with me already.
As I'm writing this, I'm also preparing for a trip to Stockholm for Invest in Games and Invest in Change. I'll be arriving a day early 10/11 to make time to meet as many people as possible. So, if you're in Stockholm, feel free to invite me for an informal coffee and a chat! And to all our former students: consider this a heads-up that I'd love to drop by, see what you're up to and hear how things are going.
What are you most looking forward to achieving, and what do you hope we'll notice going forward?
I'm really looking forward to getting to know more people across the games industry.
I hope that all the great things happening inside this building will become more visible to those who aren't here, and that people will feel connected to us regardless of where they're based.
We have all the opportunities we need to make that happen, but I also believe in the value of meeting face to face. I'd love to welcome more people to Falun and give them the chance to experience PlaygroundSquad for themselves.
I hope we'll get to meet, both online and, especially, in person.
//Emilia
Emilia Henriksson
Head of Communications
E-mail: emilia@tension.se
