Christopher Erb

Born in Waverly, New York and raised in Seattle, Washington, Erb is a graduate of the University of Washington. He is best known for his work at EA Sports, building its partnership marketing group.

Erb began his career in the video game industry in 2000 as a Brand Manager at Wizards of the Coast. While there, he oversaw the development and launches of the Neopets Trading Card Game{{cite web|last=Arneson|first=Erik|title=Neopets Trading Card Game|url=http://boardgames.about.com/b/2003/10/05/neopets-trading-card-game.htm|access-date=2012-07-27|archive-date=2012-10-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028160845/http://boardgames.about.com/b/2003/10/05/neopets-trading-card-game.htm|url-status=dead}} and the Star Wars Trading Card Game. He also contributed to two MLB Showdown and two NFL Showdown TCG expansions in 2002, as well as the Pokémon and Dungeons & Dragons franchises.

Erb joined EA Sports in 2005 as the Senior Director of Marketing for the Madden NFL franchise. While leading the launch of Madden NFL from '06 to '09, he helped redefine the way popular video game franchises are launched and marketed, mirroring that of major theatrical releases.{{cite news|last=Radd|first=David|title=Madden's Back|newspaper=Bloomberg.com |date=15 August 2007 |url=http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2007-08-15/maddens-backbusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130118145716/http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2007-08-15/maddens-backbusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 18, 2013|publisher=Bloomberg Businessweek|accessdate=27 July 2012}} This transition in marketing strategy spawned the events Maddenoliday{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Greg|title=Season Begins for 'Madden' Fans|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-aug-23-sp-madden23-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|date=23 August 2006 |access-date=27 July 2012}}{{cite web|last=High|first=Kamau|title=EA Readies Madden 08 Launch|date=14 August 2007 |url=http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising/ea-readies-madden-08-launch-89967|publisher=AdWeek|accessdate=27 July 2012}} and Maddenpalooza, both of which reinforced the notion that the annual release date of Madden NFL is a day worth celebrating for gamers. The latter of these events - Maddenpalooza - was held in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.{{cite web|last=Fisher|first=Eric|title=Rose Bowl to host new 'Maddenpalooza'|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2008/07/20080707/This-Weeks-News/Rose-Bowl-To-Host-New-Maddenpalooza.aspx|publisher=Sports Business Journal|accessdate=27 July 2012}}{{cite web|last=Fahey|first=Mike|title=EA's Maddenpalooza Maddetailed|date=24 July 2008 |url=http://kotaku.com/5028596/eas-maddenpalooza-maddetailed|publisher=Kotaku}} Erb and his team's work on Madden NFL 07 and 08 were awarded back to back MI6 Best Overall Marketing Campaign Silver Awards. The Madden NFL titles from 2006 to 2009 remain as four of the top 25 selling sports video games of all time in North America.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}}

In 2010, Erb became Vice President of Brand Marketing. In this capacity, he has helped guide the EA Sports brand beyond the console through strategic partnerships and licensing deals. In 2011, EA Sports opened retail locations in three airports in the US (Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City and Charlotte).{{cite web|last=Baar|first=Aaron|title=EA SPORTS Creating Real World Experiences|url=http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/164280/ea-sports-creating-real-world-experiences.html#ixzz1geCZBvwy|work=Marketing Daily|accessdate=7 June 2012}} In addition to airport stores, EA Sports opened its first sports bar in a partnership with Carnival Cruise Lines.{{cite web|last=Gaudiosi|first=John|title=EA SPORTS Sets Sail With Carnival for Interactive Funship 2.0 Gaming|url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/ea-sports-sets-sail-with-carnival-for-interactive-funship-2-0-gaming/|work=Digital Trends|date=12 December 2011|accessdate=7 June 2012}} In early 2012, EA Sports opened another bar location at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas.{{cite web|last=Gaudiosi|first=John|title=Electronic Arts Expands EA SPORTS Bar From Carnival Cruise Ships to Las Vegas Cosmopolitan Hotel|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/johngaudiosi/2012/03/26/electronic-arts-expands-ea-sports-bar-from-carnival-cruise-ships-to-las-vegas-cosmopolitan-hotel/|work=Forbes.com|accessdate=7 June 2012}}{{cite web|title=Cosmopolitan Hotel Press|url=http://www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com/footer/media-and-press/the-cosmopolitan-of-las-vegas-teamsup-ea-sports.aspx|accessdate=25 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604180020/http://www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com/footer/media-and-press/the-cosmopolitan-of-las-vegas-teamsup-ea-sports.aspx|archive-date=4 June 2012|url-status=dead}} Both bars allow consumers to play EA Sports titles on the bar televisions. For his work in this role, he was named to the 2011 iMedia 25 List of Internet Marketing Leaders and Advertisers.{{cite web|title=2011 iMedia 25 - Internet Marketing Leaders and Innovators|url=http://www.imediaconnection.com/iMedia25/2011/People/Chris-Erb/|accessdate=5 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502100615/http://www.imediaconnection.com/iMedia25/2011/People/Chris-Erb/|archive-date=2 May 2012|url-status=dead}}

Since 2010, Erb has managed partnerships between EA Sports' most popular video game franchises and numerous brands, including McDonald's,{{cite web|title=McDonald's Monopoly Commercial|website = YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI9-NZoVARk|accessdate=27 July 2012}} Nike,{{cite web|last=Kr|first=Aaron|title=EA SPORTS x Nike: Behind the Scenes|url=http://sneakernews.com/2012/11/13/ea-sports-x-nike-behind-the-scenes/|publisher=Sneaker News|accessdate=14 November 2012}} Doritos,{{cite web|title=Doritos and EA SPORTS Brings 3-D to Madden NFL 11|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/prnewswire/press_releases/2010/10/25/LA87438|publisher=The Business Journals|accessdate=26 July 2012}} Susan G. Komen,{{cite web|title=EA Fights Breast Cancer|url=http://www.wethegamerz.com/2010/10/07/ea-fights-breast-cancer/|accessdate=26 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203104542/http://wethegamerz.com/2010/10/07/ea-fights-breast-cancer/|archive-date=3 December 2010|url-status=dead}} Louisiana Hot Sauce,{{cite web|title=EA SPORTS Teams with Hot Sauce for Football and Gulf Cleanup|url=http://chiefmarketer.com/news/ea-sports-teams-hot-sauce-football-and-gulf-cleanup|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119080546/http://chiefmarketer.com/news/ea-sports-teams-hot-sauce-football-and-gulf-cleanup|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 January 2013|publisher=Chief Marketer|accessdate=27 July 2012}} and Coors Light.{{cite web|last=Gaudiosi|first=John|title=Coors Light Wants Your Face in the Next Madden Game|url=http://www.gamerlive.tv/article/coors-light-wants-your-face-next-madden-game|accessdate=26 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202074552/http://www.gamerlive.tv/article/coors-light-wants-your-face-next-madden-game|archive-date=2 February 2011|url-status=dead}} These partnerships have included everything from custom promotional packaging to full product line extensions, including custom gaming headsets created in partnership with Monster and Madden NFL flavored chips by Doritos.{{cite web|title=EA SPORTS & Monster Headphones: A Meeting of Giants|date=17 January 2013|url=http://hypebeast.com/2013/1/ea-sports-monster-headphones-a-meeting-of-giants|publisher=Hypebeast|accessdate=21 January 2013}}{{cite press release|title=Doritos Brings Fans Madden NFL-Inspired Flavored Chips|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/doritos-brings-fans-madden-nfl-inspired-flavored-chips-99049479.html|publisher=PR Newswire|accessdate=27 July 2012}}{{cite web|title=Interview: EA SPORTS and Monster Discuss How The "MVP Carbon" Headset Isn't Just For Gaming|url=http://www.complex.com/video-games/2013/01/interview-ea-sports-and-monster-discuss-how-the-mvp-carbon-gaming-headset-isnt-just-for-gaming|publisher=Complex|accessdate=30 January 2013}} Other partnerships have included those with professional sports leagues, including a weekly gaming tour that traveled with and mirrored NFL games.{{cite news|title=Electronic Arts Introduces Fans to NFL Football Rivalries in True Gaming Fashion|newspaper=Bloomberg.com |date=15 August 2007 |url=http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2007-08-15/maddens-backbusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130118145716/http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2007-08-15/maddens-backbusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 18, 2013|accessdate=27 July 2012}}

In 2012, Erb was announced as one of Brand Innovators' "40 Under 40", a recognition of his team's work to transform EA Sports into a lifestyle brand that interacts socially with its consumers year round.{{cite web|title=2012 Brand Innovators '40 Under 40'|url=http://brand-innovators.com/40under40/2012_winners/|accessdate=23 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623094228/http://brand-innovators.com/40under40/2012_winners/|archive-date=23 June 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Move Over, Basements of America. EA SPORTS Explains to Us Why Video Games Are Now Social|date=15 January 2013|url=http://www.brobible.com/life/article/ea-sports-video-games-social|publisher=Bro Bible|accessdate=21 January 2013}} The list, compiled annually, recognizes the achievements of brand marketers in digital media and emerging advertising technologies.

While in his role at EA Sports, Erb gave talks about brand marketing's future in the digital age. In this capacity, he was the keynote speaker at Ad:Tech Sydney in 2012.{{cite web|title=2012 Ad:Tech Sydney Keynote Speech|website = YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnmOy66YA2U|accessdate=25 July 2012}} Erb also spoke at Tedx Cincy{{cite web|title=Tedx Talks|url=http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/TEDxCincy-Chris-Erb-Branding-a|publisher=TED.com|accessdate=26 July 2012}}{{cite web|title=Tedx Cincy 2012 Speeches - Chris Erb|website = YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNo8P5s0n1E|accessdate=23 June 2012}} and Business Insider's 2012 Social Media ROI Conference.{{cite web|last=Pennell|first=Arden|title=Ford, Gap, Jack Daniel's: Check Out The Brands Speaking at 'Social Media ROI'|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/fortune-500-brands-speaking-at-social-media-roi-2012-7|publisher=Business Insider|accessdate=27 July 2012}}

In 2013, Erb joined Legendary Pictures as EVP of Brand Marketing.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2013/06/legendary-entertainment-names-christopher-erb-evp-brand-marketing-519514/|title=Legendary Entertainment Names Christopher Erb EVP Brand Marketing|date=12 June 2013}} In his role, Erb was responsible for rebuilding the overall brand architecture and developing strategic programs that elevated Legendary's consumer brand awareness.

In 2014, Erb returned to the video game industry and co-founded a strategic marketing agency named tripleclix. tripleclix has been built off Erb's previous video game experience to build brand and studio relations for the benefit of gamers. The only specialized video game-centric marketing agency of its kind, tripleclix is the connective tissue through which studios, brands, and gamers interact. With an initial team of additional employees tripleclix quickly won the trust, and business, of video game console maker Xbox.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3068985/how-scrappy-3-person-creative-agency-tripleclix-earned-the-trust-of-xbox|title=How Scrappy, 3-Person Creative Agency Tripleclix Earned the Trust of Xbox|date=15 March 2017}} tripleclix has grown under Erb's leadership into a team of a half-dozen employees and over a dozen clients.http://tripleclix.com/ In the short time that tripleclix has existed, it has already won several marketing awards, including a Game Marketing Award{{cite web| url = http://www.dualshockers.com/2016/05/24/xbox-wins-marketing-team-of-the-year-at-game-marketing-awards-2016-wins-a-ton-of-awards/| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160525155931/http://www.dualshockers.com/2016/05/24/xbox-wins-marketing-team-of-the-year-at-game-marketing-awards-2016-wins-a-ton-of-awards/| archive-date = 2016-05-25| title = Xbox Wins Marketing Team of the Year at Game Marketing Awards 2016; Triumphs with a Ton of Awards {{!}} DualShockers}} and a Clio.{{Cite web|url=http://clios.com/entertainment/winners?search=tripleclix|title = Clio Entertainment Winners}}

tripleclix, though still fully focused on game marketing, continues to branch out into new markets, producing television broadcasting{{Cite web|url=http://tripleclix.com/work/dd-force-grey-series/|title=D&D Force Grey Series}} and producing music soundtracks.{{Cite web|url=http://tripleclix.com/work/tom-clancys-ghost-recon-wildlands-art-series/|title=Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands Art Series}}

On August 14, 2007, the launch date of Madden NFL 08, Erb was struck by a car in Times Square while walking home from the official Madden NFL Launch Event. After several months in the hospital, he returned to work on November 1, 2007. Erb served on the Board of Directors for the ACLU of Southern California in a fundraising capacity from 2008 to 2012. Erb currently serves as a member of the Brand Innovators Advisory Board which he has been a part of since 2010.{{cite web|title=Brand Innovators Advisory Board|url=http://brand-innovators.com/advisory-board/|accessdate=4 June 2012}}

Erb has worked on numerous video game titles throughout his career, most notably:

• Madden NFL 06
• Madden NFL 07
• Madden NFL 08
• Madden NFL 09
• NFL Head Coach
• NFL Street 3
• NFL Tour
• NASCAR 09

{{reflist|2}}

• [https://twitter.com/ChrisErb Christopher Erb's Twitter Page]
• [https://twitter.com/TripleClix tripleclix's Twitter Page]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Erb, Christopher}}

Category:1972 births

Category:Living people

Category:Businesspeople from Orlando, Florida

Category:American marketing people

Category:People from Waverly, Tioga County, New York