About Us
Who We Are
Mary-Margaret Network works with a diverse clientele in the game, mobile, web, multimedia, IT, TV and film industries. We successfully fill positions in every department at all levels, including production, engineering, design, art, marketing, sales, operations and executive management.
OUR PURPOSE
Building connections to create stronger careers, companies and industries.
Company History
Mary-Margaret Network was founded by Mary-Margaret Walker and Robin Chenoweth McShaffry in 1996. The two enterprising women developed the business as a turn-key staffing solution for game industry companies. Mary-Margaret Network quickly grew into a powerhouse organization with a full roster of reputable clients in the game industry and a strong group of experienced candidates. With a keen understanding of the industry, and innate sensibilities about the hiring practices of their clients, Mary-Margaret and Robin continue to build a leading recruitment business with a forward-thinking vision. To uphold this vision, they work carefully to develop lasting relationships with their clients and candidates, and to select recruiting specialists to join their team.
Principal Bios
Mary-Margaret Walker
As CEO, Mary-Margaret leads the recruitment strategies and new business endeavors for Mary-Margaret Network. She brings to the role 14 years of experience in recruiting and 6 years of experience in video game development.
Prior to moving to recruiting in 1996, Mary-Margaret was Manager of Studio Services for The 3DO Company managing the milestones and development process of all projects in production and the hiring of over 200 employees. Previously, she was at Origin Systems where she created the company's Human Resources department and contributed to titles in development as a Design Manager.
Mary-Margaret is a regular speaker at international trade shows and has authored numerous articles. She was a contributing author to Ernest Adams' popular book, Break Into The Game Industry: How to Get a Job Making Video Games.
A founding member of the IGDA, Mary-Margaret holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Christian University and an M.B.A. from Sacred Heart University.
Robin Chenoweth McShaffry
As a co-founder of Mary-Margaret Network and Vice President, Operations, Robin is a driving force in the success of the business. Robin has deep and wide knowledge of all facets of game industry production, game genres and platforms.
Since 1998, Robin has staffed entire new teams, all layers of product development, marketing, executive, and operations. Her favorite work has been building new project teams from the ground up, as a trusted vendor and comrade-in-arms. She is considered an industry expert and both clients and candidates rely on her insight. In her Operations role, Robin oversees the administration of Mary-Margaret Network's extensive contact database and web site.
Prior to joining Mary-Margaret Network, Robin was the Creative Services Liaison for Origin and Electronic Arts. Credited on over a dozen hit titles, from System Shock to Ultima Online, she was a member of the marketing creative team, providing graphic design and coordinating the creation and distribution of international marketing materials for all of EA's titles worldwide. Robin worked closely with Origin's product development teams in this role, and is well remembered as a valued contributor.
Keenly interested in the education of present and future game developers, Robin serves on the advisory boards of Austin Community College Videogame Development Continuing Education Program. She has authored many articles on employment-related subjects for web sites like Gamasutra and periodicals such as Game Developer and Animation World Magazine, and is often as an interview subject for media outlets such as NPR's Marketplace.
Robin is regularly asked to speak at conferences, universities, and industry gatherings. Previous engagements include Shawnee State University, Women in Games International, Austin Game Conference, St. Edwards University, GameCamp! and SXSW Interactive.
Robin has a BA in Drama from the University of Houston, and in addition to her work with Mary-Margaret Network is a stage manager, makeup artist and technician with many years experience in live professional theater.