Hi, my name is Ziv Kitaro.
Contact Details
972.52.664.7063
TL;DR
I'm the Creative Director and IP Manager at FunCrafters. I’m entrusted with the helming of a high-profile, undisclosed world-renowned IP. I oversee the entire creative aspect of the game. I collaborate with a diverse team of artists, designers, and developers, fostering a synergy that results in visually compelling and thematically consistent content, guaranteeing that game mechanics, abilities, and other interactive elements feel intuitive and resonate authentically within the universe of the IP. As part of my role, I work closely with cross-functional teams, producers, and external partners to translate vision into reality, ensuring a cohesive and high-quality user experience.
In addition, I work closely with the producers and key stakeholders to ensure the company remains focused and efficient. Amongst other things, I’m leading the integration of AI (ChatGPT, Midjourney, and other automation and GenAI tools) into our various teams and departments.
My goal is to create exceptional digital products and games that bring joy to people's lives and improve their leisure time.
Want to know more about what I do?
For the past decade, I have worked with some of Israel's leading companies and many small companies and startups.
My principal strength lies in building teams to create engaging products utilizing the newest technologies. When I work with a company, I try to understand the core of its idea, break down the story into the principal elements, and then build on that. Many startups and established companies try to achieve too much; on the way, they burn their money and waste their time.
Products can become great by focusing on the core and working on that unique thing.
I had the privilege of guiding the day-to-day operation of small and large teams within startups. I established companies, working with developers and design teams to ensure the stakeholders receive the best product possible.
Also, I have written several books and published articles in most of the tech and news publications in Israel and for a few overseas. As a Dale Carnegie graduate, I have been giving lectures about personal growth, leadership, and productivity. I also ran game design programs in two educational establishments and lectured on storytelling, content, and product design for many years.
Specialties: product management, game mechanics, pipeline, personas and user research, game design, wireframe, UX, team recruitment, market research, agile, scrum, kanban, concept development, storytelling, content, optimization, and team building.
Career Milestones
In my career, I worked on many different and interesting products:
Creative Director at FunCrafters, leading the creative integration of a high-profile, undisclosed world-renowned IP.
Director of Product Management and Platform Relations at Whaleapp LTD, special advisory and Biz-Dev
Head of Products at Mohican Lab, responsible for all running games and products of the company
Worked on dozens of projects, mostly games or interactive experiences
Honed my skills in managing big and medium scale projects - creating pipeline, work methodologies, and making sure the team follow them on time
Was Head of Product for the #1 online Bingo game, BINGO Blitz, at Playtika - managing the complete product operation from roadmaps and planing to executaion and content delivery
Was the Creative Director at edgybees, working on AR-based games for drones and other high movement vehicles
Created a console-grade game for Mobile named Motor Planet for Plarium Global, as the Executive Producer and Lead Game Designer
I was the head of the "Game Design Program" in the Midrasha School for Art, Beit Berl Israel
Wrote and published three books: The Complete Guide to the Magical World of The Faery Folks (Hebrew), iPhone One on One (Hebrew), and a user guide to the Internet (Hebrew)
I worked as a consultant to companies like 888 Holdings and Mytopia, Blackjack Unlimited, JamRT, MTV and others
I worked on a project for Alex Toys on a toy for toddlers
I worked on an interactive book for "Nekudat Mifne." The book has a unique storytelling mechanic that helps to analyze the kids' choices. Look for The Guardians (English, iTunes link)
I was the COO and chief game designer at Smite Entertainment
I worked as Lead Game Designer at Cedar Design Groups - where we created an electronic collectible card game called ELECTROHEX. We also worked on a few other toys and games with major companies in the USA, including the wonderful Alex Toys
I was the researcher and creator of the story for the game Adam Syndrome
I owned a chain of fantasy stores. I worked mainly on closing deals with oversea companies and importing goods
Graduate of the Dale Carnegie program, and worked as a guide for a couple of years