Stardock announced today that nearly 30 year Microsoft veteran Kevin Unangst has joined the company as Vice President to head Stardock’s global marketing and partnership group.
Mr. Unangst spent nearly three decades helping to lead Microsoft’s Windows and Xbox marketing efforts, including leading Windows XP consumer marketing, head of marketing for Microsoft Studios, and most recently global director of Windows gaming marketing at Microsoft.
“Kevin has a multi-decade track record of recognizing turning points in the technology industry and helping ensure that emerging opportunities are fully realized,” said Brad Wardell, CEO Of Stardock. “We are excited to have someone of his talent and experience lead our efforts to ensure that our new endeavors reach their potential.”
Mr. Unangst was part of Microsoft’s efforts to become a dominant player in the PC industry, from the transition to graphical computing with the launch of Windows 95, to leading the charge to make Windows and DirectX the definitive gaming platforms for PC gamers.
“I’ve always had a passion for helping make sure innovative technology is translated into meaningful benefits for consumers,” said Unangst. “My time at Microsoft allowed me to help evangelize exciting changes that technology was bringing to the market, whether that be the power of Internet integration into Windows, the transition to 32-bit protected operating systems, and more recently, the potential of DirectX 12 for PC and Xbox gaming.
Stardock has a long track record of technological innovation going back to its invention of ZIP folders, user interface customization, desktop enhancements, digital distribution, 32-bit game development, multithreaded game development, and more recently, its investment in companies creating 64-bit, core-neutral technologies.
It was during the release of the first DirectX 12 game, Ashes of the Singularity, that Mr. Unangst became familiar with Stardock’s roadmap.
“Stardock had long been known at Microsoft as an innovative company,” said Unangst. “Even back in the 1990’s – when I was marketing Windows NT – I knew of Stardock from their work with IBM’s OS/2 and then with their creation of the Impulse digital distribution platform. But it wasn’t until I saw what they were building during the development of DirectX 12 that I realized I wanted to be a part of what they are creating.”
Mr. Unangst will officially start his position on December 11, 2017.
