Derrick Viray

Background

About Derrick Viray

At a young age technology and videos games has played an integral part of my childhood & teenage life. Not only has this favorite hobby of mine provided hours and hours of joy, but it had always lit a strong passion in me for wanting a career in the industry. As a kid I grew up playing & reading about this video games, to working in jobs that sold these products, and to the point where I got to work in the industry. Video Games had shown me all aspects of the product life cycle from business to consumer. However, it was a long road ahead of me before I got to this point in my life. In the beginning of my professional career after graduating I started working in retail stores. Within my time working in these positions, I learned the importance of giving excellent customer service by providing product solutions to their needs. I understood that to be able to provide excellent customer service one most fully understand a product before they can talk it up with customers. Then, I realized it takes more than just talking to the consumer. I learned that eye catching branding and visual display standards play their own part as well. I learned that by combining the two and executing them effectively will generate sales and repeat customers. With experience in both these aspects, it allowed me to land a role in the Retail Activations Division at Sony PlayStation. I spent the next 8.5 years of my life carrying out many projects and gained experience in the backside of the gaming industry in regards to the retail store. I got to experience what it takes to launch a new product effectively, how to drive further customer brand loyalty, learned the importance of retail associate training in creating brand ambassadors to the consumers, and how KPI's help drive the business and industry. Just like a video game character I'm traveling through the open world, gaining experience and learning skills to make me a well rounded candidate that can fit into multiple roles for any company. I feel with my background degree in Business Marketing and my "boots on the ground" experience with customers I have the insight that can help, not only in just the gaming industry; but in any technology, media, or entertainment role. And just like any great video character, my journey has only just begun.