Sony Online Entertainment has announced the appointment of David D. Christensen as the company's new vice president of business development and international operations in order to strengthen the firm's global footprint in online gaming, specifically within the European and Asian markets.

Christensen will be based in the company's new Los Angeles studio and will report to John Needham, SOE's chief financial officer and senior vice president. In this newly created role, officials note that Christensen will be responsible for generating strategic global growth opportunities and securing key business alliances for SOE, with an emphasis on both Europe and Asia. The new executive will also manage the company's international operations group.

A SOE representative told Gamasutra that Christensen will be primarily focused on localization as well, adding, “We really believe that there is an untapped market [in those regions] that we'd like to get a better grasp on.”

Prior to joining SOE, Christensen served as the vice president of business development at MMO in-game item trading firm IGE. He has also worked as the director of business development for Vivendi Games, where he focused on a number of that company's properties, including Crash Bandicoot, The Incredible Hulk, Lord of the Rings, Riddick and Spyro.

"David brings a wealth of experience to his new role within SOE," commented Needham. "His exceptional knowledge and insight into the global online gaming market will be an integral part of our expansion strategy moving forward both domestically and in key international markets."