Russell brings more than 14 years of direct experience working in the games and interactive entertainment industry. As head of third party relations and developer support, Russell is responsible for cultivating relationships and maintaining and growing content alliances with developers and publishers, as well as managing licensee relations and overall strategic product planning in support of all PlayStation platforms in North America, including the upcoming, much-anticipated PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3).

Russell continues to serve as the companys general counsel and vice president, business and legal affairs, a role he was appointed in 2002. In this capacity Russell oversees a group of more than 30 individuals who specialize in computer and entertainment law, technology licensing, sports and character licensing as well as intellectual property. Russells diverse legal career experience includes videogames, television and theatrical production, patent and copyright litigation, technical asset licensing, and trial law.

Prior to joining the company, Russell held the positions of corporate counselor and director of business affairs for Sega of America. His diverse career experience also includes: videogames, television and theatrical production, patent and copyright litigation, technical asset licensing, and trial law.

Russell is a member of several organizations, including the California and American Bar Associations, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, the Public Policy Committee and the Piracy Committee for the Entertainment Software Association, as well as the Ratings Committee for the Entertainment Software Rating Board.

Russell received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of California at Berkeley, his masters degree in economics from the University of California at Davis and his juris doctorate from the University of Santa Clara in California.