CASSANDRA (REYNOSO) VILLAREAL
Hello! I'm a creative and results-driven communications strategist with 10 years of experience working on the biggest brands in entertainment.
I work with creatives, developers, strategic partners, and cross-functional teams to build hype around their product with their core and expand to new levels with reach audiences. Besides being the communications conductor for news beats, I also provide counsel for navigating changing or tricky situations. Naturally curious and a life-long learner, I’m constantly thinking about fresh ideas and not one to auto-default to the same, old-school comms playbook.Outside of my professional work I enjoy making my own video games, whether it’s working solo or collaborating with small teams on writing + narrative design.All in all... I love interactive media as an art form, I’m excited by the medium's limitless potential, and I’m ready to shine a spotlight on cool projects and the awesome people behind them!
CONTACT ME
WORK EXPERIENCE
Epic Games
Currently working on all-things Fortnite, from seasonal gameplay updates, brand and talent partnerships, competitive tournaments, creator spotlights, user-generated content, anti-cheat, and many more. Comms lead for Epic's third-party publishing arm, Epic Games Publishing, including the award-winning Alan Wake 2 and more to come with Fumito Ueda's genDESIGN, Section 9 Interactive, and other unannounced studios. Manage and work alongside international comms teams and agencies. Epic Games Newsroom editorial + social copy. Muck Rack expert. Hired an intern who transitioned to a full-time role!
Senior Communications Manager (May 2024 to Present)
Communications Manager (April 2021 to May 2024)
Blizzard Entertainment
After being Blizzard Entertainment's very first Public Relations Intern during the Summer of 2015, and gaining valuable post-grad PR agency experience, I came back to work at Blizzard full time for about five cumulative years. Worked on multiple products and grew quickly with the company: started in North America PR to leading international PR teams with Global PR; publicity and press experiences for premier tournaments around the world with Blizzard Esports to leading PR for many Hearthstone expansions, launching Diablo III: Rise of the Necromancer, running Diablo Immortal Technical Alpha press reviews, and Diablo IV's road to launch, to name a few. Kicked off Blizzard's new celebrity program. Mentored fellow "Blizzterns"!
Global Public Relations Manager (March 2021 to April 2021)
Global Associate Public Relations Manager (May 2019 to March 2021)
Associate Public Relations Manager, Esports (August 2018 to May 2019)
Public Relations Coordinator, Esports (November 2017 to August 2018)
Public Relations Coordinator, North America (February 2017 to November 2017)
TriplePoint PR
Agency role with TriplePoint PR, a leading gaming and tech public relations firm. Supported clients The Pokémon Company International, Riot Games, Nyko Technologies, Super League Gaming, and Daedalic Entertainment. My first week on the job was to work on the launch of Pokémon GO—from drafting copy to fielding an influx of journalist questions, working on this launch was an unforgettable summer!
Account Coordinator (July 2016 to January 2017)
EDUCATION
University of California, Berkeley
Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and Mass Communication
LANGUAGES
English (Fluent)
Spanish (B1)
Formal resume + references available upon request!
READING LIST
A growing list of books I've found helpful in deepening my communications + public relations skills. More to come!
Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg
Indestructible: Reclaim Control and Respond with Confidence in a Media Crisis by Molly McPherson
Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot by Matt Abrahams
Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath + Dan Heath
PERSONAL PROJECTS
Games and interactive experiences I've made solo or with a small team as a writer + narrative designer. I'm currently taking a break from personal projects to learn new toolsets. Stay tuned!
Let's Go to the Getty
Made with Bitsy, published October 22, 2024A game about getting inspired! Let's Go to the Getty is a Bitsy project that derived from my own IRL trip to The Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California. It takes about 4-5 minutes to complete, and is playable on web and mobile browser.In this solo project I dove deeper into the Bitsy toolset and learned more complicated hacks, namely the intricate pixel art.
You.Asset
Made with Unreal Engine 5, published September 24, 2024You.Asset is a horror game that takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. Explore, solve puzzles, and escape! Beware: there are a few jump scares nestled in.I worked with a small team of four for a horror game jam. My role was writer and narrative designer, where I worked with the game director on tasks such as brainstorming story ideas, writing notes and overall story cohesion, and weaving in instructions for a seamless player experience. I also brought my own, professional experience into the fold (i.e. game homepage copy).
A Day Off from Work
Made with Bitsy, published November 9, 2023A 2-3 minute browser game about getting the day off work and thinking about all the things you can do with that free time.This was a solo project—and my first project! I taught myself a tool called Bitsy and implemented some simple hacks to add more functionality.
SIDE QUESTS
What I'm playing: Divinity Original Sin 2, The Rise of the Golden Idol, Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, Dishonored 2, Split Fiction, The Secret of Monkey Island, and soon Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge and Blue PrinceWhat I'm watching: lots of Japanese horror like Cure and Audition, love Netflix reality TV shows such as Love is Blind and Culinary Class Wars, Invincible, Yellowjackets, Severance, The White Lotus, Common Side Effects, Scavenger's Reign, with Mickey 17 and The Brutalist on my watch listOther things that keep me busy: film photography, collecting vinyl, obsessing over deductive board games like Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective, hanging out with my dog, hosting PowerPoint nights (trust me—they're fun, ask me about them), training in a martial art called Muay Thai, running, snowboarding, backpacking, and powerlifting
(My forever fun fact: I once held the United States Powerlifting Association world record for the deadlift! HERE's a YouTube video of me lifting in a fun, social experiment... which amassed over 3M views!)