Carly McGinnis takes over Asmodee's global publishing

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Exploding Kittens CEO replaces Jean-Sébastien de Barros, overseeing Asmodee's studios, franchises, licensing and marketing.

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Asmodee has appointed Carly McGinnis, CEO of Exploding Kittens, to oversee the company’s global publishing operations. She will become chief product officer and executive vice president of publishing, replacing Jean-Sébastien de Barros, who is leaving the tabletop gaming giant after nearly a decade.

McGinnis will report directly to CEO Thomas Kœgler and join Asmodee’s executive management team. Her responsibilities will include the company’s studios, franchise development, licensing and studio marketing. The portfolio includes brands such as Catan, Ticket to Ride, 7 Wonders and Dobble/Spot It.

McGinnis joined Exploding Kittens in 2015, the year the company’s first game raised nearly US$ 8.8 million on Kickstarter. She became COO in early 2019, president in January 2022 and CEO a year before taking on her new role at Asmodee.

Asmodee acquired 55% of Exploding Kittens at the end of 2021 and exercised its option last year to acquire the remaining 45%. During her time at the company, McGinnis helped expand the brand beyond tabletop games, including through its partnership with Netflix, which brought Exploding Kittens to mobile games and an animated series. She also served as executive co-producer of the animated series.

The change comes as Asmodee seeks to strengthen the publishing of its own games. In the year ended in March, the company reported €1.68 billion in net sales, up 23%, but more than 72% of that total came from distributing games published by other companies. Sales of its own tabletop games fell 5.8% during the period. Between April and June, the segment returned to growth, rising 1.8% year over year.

The company’s audiovisual strategy is also continuing to expand. Netflix has secured exclusive global rights to adaptations of Ticket to Ride and Catan, while McGinnis takes on the role with experience turning Exploding Kittens into a brand with more than 60 million games sold.

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