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Ray Kassar

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Manage episode 461185981 series 2501915
Content provided by Alex Smith, and Jeffrey Daum, Alex Smith, and Jeffrey Daum. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Alex Smith, and Jeffrey Daum, Alex Smith, and Jeffrey Daum or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

TCW Podcast Episode 226 - Ray Kassar

Ray Kassar rose from humble beginnings to become a talented, savvy, and personable executive. He began his career in the textile industry at Burlington Industries, where he eventually became president of its most profitable division. However, after the unexpected passing of Burlington’s head, Kassar faced ageism and cronyism, which stifled his advancement. Despite climbing the corporate ladder again, he was passed over for a more tenured executive. Leaving Burlington, Kassar founded a company importing Egyptian cotton for the U.S., where he planned to work until retirement. However, Manny Gerard of Warner Communications recruited him to stabilize Atari after its recent acquisition. Kassar’s leadership introduced a robust marketing strategy, reduced manufacturing defects, and turned Atari into a massive profit center. Though his rapid adaptation to the gaming industry sparked some resentment and controversy, Kassar’s impact on Atari was undeniable. His story is one of nuance and twists, as Atari would not have achieved its success without his visionary leadership.

TCW 046 - Atari, Ray Kassar, and Warner: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/atari-ray-kassar-and-warner/

TCW 104 - A Holistic View of ET: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/a-holistic-view-of-et/

TCW 186 - Atari's Distribution Nightmare: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/atari-s-distribution-nightmare/

TCW 187 - Atari's Sinking Ship: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/atari-s-sinking-ship/

Once Upon Atari - How I made history by killing an industry: (Affiliate link): https://amzn.to/4fUDNx6

New episodes are on the 1st and 15th of every month!

TCW Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @tcwpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theycreateworlds

Alex's Video Game History Blog: http://videogamehistorian.wordpress.com

Alex's book, published Dec 2019, is available at CRC Press and at major on-line retailers: http://bit.ly/TCWBOOK1

Intro Music: Josh Woodward - Airplane Mode - Music - "Airplane Mode" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/song/AirplaneMode

Outro Music: RoleMusic - Bacterial Love: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love

Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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235 episodes

Artwork

Ray Kassar

They Create Worlds

18 subscribers

published

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Manage episode 461185981 series 2501915
Content provided by Alex Smith, and Jeffrey Daum, Alex Smith, and Jeffrey Daum. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Alex Smith, and Jeffrey Daum, Alex Smith, and Jeffrey Daum or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

TCW Podcast Episode 226 - Ray Kassar

Ray Kassar rose from humble beginnings to become a talented, savvy, and personable executive. He began his career in the textile industry at Burlington Industries, where he eventually became president of its most profitable division. However, after the unexpected passing of Burlington’s head, Kassar faced ageism and cronyism, which stifled his advancement. Despite climbing the corporate ladder again, he was passed over for a more tenured executive. Leaving Burlington, Kassar founded a company importing Egyptian cotton for the U.S., where he planned to work until retirement. However, Manny Gerard of Warner Communications recruited him to stabilize Atari after its recent acquisition. Kassar’s leadership introduced a robust marketing strategy, reduced manufacturing defects, and turned Atari into a massive profit center. Though his rapid adaptation to the gaming industry sparked some resentment and controversy, Kassar’s impact on Atari was undeniable. His story is one of nuance and twists, as Atari would not have achieved its success without his visionary leadership.

TCW 046 - Atari, Ray Kassar, and Warner: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/atari-ray-kassar-and-warner/

TCW 104 - A Holistic View of ET: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/a-holistic-view-of-et/

TCW 186 - Atari's Distribution Nightmare: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/atari-s-distribution-nightmare/

TCW 187 - Atari's Sinking Ship: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/atari-s-sinking-ship/

Once Upon Atari - How I made history by killing an industry: (Affiliate link): https://amzn.to/4fUDNx6

New episodes are on the 1st and 15th of every month!

TCW Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @tcwpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theycreateworlds

Alex's Video Game History Blog: http://videogamehistorian.wordpress.com

Alex's book, published Dec 2019, is available at CRC Press and at major on-line retailers: http://bit.ly/TCWBOOK1

Intro Music: Josh Woodward - Airplane Mode - Music - "Airplane Mode" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/song/AirplaneMode

Outro Music: RoleMusic - Bacterial Love: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love

Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

  continue reading

235 episodes

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