November 13, 2024 – San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has launched its gaming, entertainment, media, and sports practice. The new practice will be led by Greg Sherman, who joins the firm as a partner, and Matt Skiba, who returns to Riviera as a partner after a decade in executive talent leadership.
“The launch of our gaming, entertainment, media, and sports practice marks a significant milestone for Riviera Partners as we expand our expertise into some of the most dynamic sectors in technology,” said Michael A. Morell, co-founder and managing partner at Riviera Partners. “With the rapid advancement of technologies like artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, and blockchain, the gaming, entertainment, media, and sports industries are undergoing transformative changes. There has never been a more critical time for visionary tech leadership to navigate these innovations and drive growth.”
Based in Los Angeles, Mr. Sherman has over a decade of experience in executive recruiting and advisory. With a track record of building high-performing teams, he was instrumental in establishing both the product and gaming/entertainment practices at Russell Reynolds Associates. His background includes executive leadership roles in boutique firms and at Heidrick & Struggles, where he specialized in recruiting senior and C-suite executives for Fortune 500 and VC-backed technology firms. In addition to leading the gaming, entertainment, media, and sports practice, Mr. Sherman will enhance Riviera’s public practice, expanding its scope with a focus on top product talent.
“From immersive gaming experiences and streaming platforms to interactive media and data-driven sports analytics, the demand for innovative technology leaders is at an all-time high,” said Mr. Sherman. “Riviera’s gaming, entertainment, media, and sports practice reflects the firm’s commitment to meeting these unique and evolving needs by identifying and placing leaders poised to drive innovation and transformation. The practice will serve a wide range of companies, from high-growth startups to established public enterprises, connecting them with top technology talent.”
“Greg’s extensive expertise in technology and media, combined with his innovative approach to client advisory, makes him an invaluable asset to Riviera and to our clients in the gaming, entertainment, media, and sports practice sector,” said Mr. Morell. “His ability to identify leaders who can leverage emerging technologies will be instrumental in helping companies stay ahead in these competitive industries.”
Mr. Skiba re-joins Riviera, bringing executive and operational expertise honed through roles as head of executive talent at Snap and VP of talent at gaming unicorn Genies. With over a decade of experience and more than 250 executive placements, he has brings insights on executive hiring within high-growth, pre-IPO, private equity, and public companies.
“There’s never been a more thrilling time to be at the intersection of technology and the gaming, entertainment, media, and sports practice industries,” said Mr. Skiba. “Our new practice is dedicated to identifying and placing forward-thinking technology leaders who will shape the future of gaming, entertainment, media, and sports.”
“We are excited to have Matt back at Riviera,” said Mr. Morell. “His insider experience within some of the most influential consumer tech and gaming companies provides a rare and dynamic perspective that is invaluable to our clients. As the gaming, entertainment, media, and sports practice sectors continue to innovate at a rapid pace, Matt’s expertise will help us connect companies with leaders who can drive technological advancement and strategic growth.”
Related: Riviera Partners Adds Veteran HR Executive
Riviera Partners is a global recruiting firm specializing in the technology industry. The firm provides clients with optimal placements by combining recruiter interactions and experience with data-driven findings about candidates. Riviera Partners has recruited for key executive roles at Pinterest, Postmates, Tinder, Twilio, Uber, Asana, Dropbox, GitHub, DoorDash, Hulu, and partnered with venture-backed concerns, including Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia, Benchmark, Accel, Menlo Ventures, KPCB, Greylock, and General Catalyst.
Riviera Partners Names Partner to Lead Financial Services Practice Expansion
Riviera Partners has named Mike Flood as a partner, where he will lead the expansion of the firm’s financial services practice. “With a distinguished career spanning over two decades in executive search and leadership advisory, Mike’s expertise will enhance the firm’s capabilities and broaden the scope of its offerings in financial services,” the search firm said. “We are thrilled to welcome Mike Flood to the Riviera team,” said Michael A. Morell, managing partner and co-founder of Riviera Partners. “Mike’s track record in financial services, combined with his entrepreneurial spirit and extensive network, will be instrumental in broadening our reach and impact within this important sector. His expertise aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver the best leadership talent to drive transformational outcomes for our clients.”
Through machine learning algorithms, Riviera Partners identifies specialized, highly qualified candidates that fit an organization’s needs from 600,000 professionals across tech geographies. Riviera can often provide a short list of candidates in 30 days and has a success rate of over 95 percent.
New Cybersecurity Practice
Riviera Partners recently launched its dedicated cybersecurity practice. The practice will focus on meeting the growing demand for CISOs and cybersecurity leaders across all industries, as well as technical leadership at companies in the digital security space. The practice is led by Sean Cleary, who joined Riviera Partners earlier this year as a partner. Supporting him in this new practice are Matt Stravitz and Chloe Kataev, both who bring deep expertise in cybersecurity recruitment.
“As cybersecurity continues to grow in importance, both for enterprises and the security technology companies leading the charge, finding the right leaders is critical,” said Mr. Morell. “Under Sean Cleary’s leadership, our new practice will deliver on Riviera’s commitment to helping our clients secure top talent in an increasingly competitive market.”
Related: Riviera Partners Acquires Arete Partners, Creates Riviera Ventures
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
