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Anzu Appoints Former Activision Blizzard Executive Ruben Dehouck as a New Strategic Advisor

Published

6 years ago

October 14, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The world’s leading in-game advertising platform Anzu.io today announced the appointment of Ruben Dehouck as a Strategic Advisor. Ruben has a long and successful track record in the video game industry, having spent more than ten years at Activision Blizzard in various globally operating roles. During his tenure there, Ruben led marketing operations for the industry-leading Call of Duty franchise, was in charge of commercial operations for the breakthrough kids video game franchise Skylanders, and owned strategic partnerships with key industry partners, including PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo.

Dehouck joins an impressive group of strategic advisors for Anzu, including David Sable, Takuya Banno, and Jamie Gutfreund. The vast experience that Dehouck brings will contribute to Anzu’s overall gaming strategy and strengthen the company’s position specifically within the AAA gaming segment. Asked about his perspective on the exciting future Anzu is creating, Dehouck said, “In-game advertising offers developers and publishers a compelling new revenue stream, but only if it’s done right. Anzu’s cutting-edge tech solution ensures non-intrusive, blended real-world advertising in video game ecosystems. It’s a solution that understands and respects gamers’ expectations. I’m excited to help drive in-game advertising to new heights and leverage the enormous appetite of leading global advertisers to build meaningful relationships with the ever-growing, 3 billion plus global video game audience.”

Anzu has already launched campaigns with global brands, including Vodafone and Samsung and game companies such as Ubisoft. And the in-game advertising company continues to focus on its commitment to bringing innovative changes to the ecosystem. Its partnership with CHEQ provides the first-ever ad verification solution for console gaming, while its partnership with Kantar’s project Moonshot enables brands to measure advertising campaign effectiveness accurately. Additionally, advertisers and game developers can feel confident when working with Anzu as it is the first company of its kind to earn an ISO 27001 Certification.

Anzu, the winner of this year’s ESI Clutch Digital competition, has also attracted the attention of those in the esports arena. A few months ago, Anzu signed a partnership deal with Berlin-based esports venue developer VERITAS. More recently, the company expanded its exclusive partnership with Axis Games to bring the first-ever programmatic in-game ads to a live esports tournament.

As the company continues to carve out its path, Dehouck will be a key advisor. Anzu Co-founder and CEO Itamar Benedy said, “We are thrilled to have Ruben on board. He brings a wealth of experience, and his knowledge, which sits at the intersection of gaming, advertising, and strategic partnership development, will be invaluable to us as we move forward.”

Alona Shevtsova

Sends CEO Alona Shevtsova moderates Global Gaming Expansion panel in Riyadh

Published

4 hours ago

June 25, 2026

Wladimir P.

sends-ceo-alona-shevtsova-moderates-global-gaming-expansion-panel-in-riyadh

Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, will moderate a panel at The Blockchain show on 29^th June, bringing together experts from entertainment, location-based gaming, and content localisation to examine what it takes to build sustainable gaming ecosystems across emerging markets.

The panel, titled “Global Gaming Expansion: Lessons from Untapped Markets,” will structure its discussion across four themes: the growth dynamics reshaping emerging gaming markets; the role of localisation in creating experiences that genuinely connect with new audiences; the infrastructure and communities needed to build gaming ecosystems beyond the game itself; and the lessons and opportunities that will define successful expansion in the years ahead.

Alona Shevtsova plans to frame the discussion around the central challenge for companies looking to expand globally: entering a new market requires far more than bringing an existing product to a new audience. Understanding local cultures, building communities, adapting experiences, and creating ecosystems that allow gaming to grow sustainably are all as important as the product itself.

Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, said:

“The future growth of gaming will come not only from new technologies, but from understanding people — their cultures, communities, and the experiences they want to be part of. Successful expansion will belong to those who can combine global ambition with local understanding.”

The first segment will examine why regions including the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia are becoming increasingly significant for developers, operators, and investors — driven by young audiences, accelerating digital adoption, and new entertainment models creating substantial growth potential. Panellists will explore how consumer preferences differ across markets and what trends among younger audiences are shaping the future of gaming and entertainment.

The third segment will broaden the lens beyond the game itself, exploring the role of location-based entertainment, gaming centres, esports, and experiential destinations in attracting new audiences and building long-term communities. Panellists plan to address how entertainment ecosystems — spanning physical venues, events, and community infrastructure — accelerate gaming adoption in markets where the category is still establishing itself.

Earlier this month, Alona Shevtsova was shortlisted for the 2026 Great British Entrepreneur Awards in the Established Business of the Year category. Her team is also preparing for the Fintech Connect conference in London later this year. Sends will be a leading sponsor of this event.

*Sends is a trade name of SMARTFLOW PAYMENTS LIMITED, registered in England and Wales (Company No.11070048). For more information, visit sends.co .

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