Sam Gaglani

Sam Gaglani

Executive Vice President of Global Business Development & Strategic Partnerships / Enterprise

Los Angeles, US

Profile Verified by The Marque

Last Updated: 22 Sep 2026

In Their Own Right

Biography

Sam Gaglani serves as the Executive Vice President of Global Business Development and Strategic Partnerships for Enterprise at Xsolla, a position he has held since January 2022.

With over 22 years of experience in the gaming and digital media industry, Sam's career began at Activision as an Associate Producer. During his time there, he contributed to developing and releasing several high-profile games, including Tony Hawk Underground, True Crime 2, and Rome: Total War. He also held significant roles at Blizzard, Pandemic Studios, and Nexon, where he worked on projects like Titan, which evolved into the globally successful game OVERWATCH, Mercenaries 2, Saboteur, Maplestory, and Combat Arms.

As the Executive Vice President of Business Development at Xsolla, Sam is instrumental in driving revenue growth through strategic partnerships. His role involves crafting global operation and product strategies, ensuring that the most innovative ideas in the gaming industry are brought to life. Leading a team of fifteen, Sam oversees strategic deal negotiations with developers and partners, a key aspect of enhancing Xsolla’s market presence. His close collaboration with internal teams also plays a vital role in driving business growth and ensuring seamless client integration processes.

Sam's commitment to his team's development is a testament to his leadership style. He actively provides feedback and development opportunities, fostering a culture of professional growth and engagement. His extensive network of game developers and publishers and his proven ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain positive relationships with external vendors and clients further highlight his effectiveness and strategic vision in his role.

The Record

Background

  • 2022 — Present

    Executive Vice President of Global Business Development & Strategic Partnerships / Enterprise

    Xsolla

    Xsolla is a global financial technology and video game commerce company that connects developers, publishers, and platforms through a broad ecosystem of services. By combining distribution support, go-to-market expertise, and commerce technology, the company helps partners expand reach and grow long-term player engagement.

  • 2012 — 2022

    Vice President of Global Business Development / Enterprise

    Xsolla

  • 2011 — 2012

    Manager | Team Culture

    Blizzard Entertainment

    Blizzard Entertainment is a leading video game developer known for its influential franchises like World of Warcraft and Diablo, which have shaped online gaming culture for years. With polished gameplay, captivating cinematic stories, and a strong foothold in competitive esports, the studio has established itself as one of the most recognized names in the global gaming industry.

  • 2011 — 2011

    Content Strategy Producer

    Nexon | North America

    While at Nexon, Sam developed and produced Blabber Box, a bi-monthly online entertainment show with over 100,000 fans. He led the creation, filming, and editing of community-focused video content and campaign media. Sam also drove the video distribution strategy across social platforms and YouTube, collaborated with marketing and production teams, managed external creative crews, and oversaw budgeting, invoicing, and financial coordination for the content strategy team.

  • 2009 — 2011

    Business Development Producer

    Pixomondo

    Pixomondo is a visual effects and virtual production studio that specializes in high-quality CGI and immersive settings for film and television projects. The studio combines creative storytelling with real-time technology. With contributions to major productions like Game of Thrones, Pixomondo has played a key role in crafting cinematic visuals through innovative pipelines and collaboration with global teams.

  • 2001 — 2010

    President

    Home:made Events

    Home:made Events was a high-end event production company that partnered with boutique hotels and entertainment industry clients to design experiences that elevated brand presence and audience engagement. The team specialized in producing and promoting curated events that attracted targeted demographics while creating memorable, high-energy atmospheres.

  • 2006 — 2008

    Team Manager

    Pandemic Studios

    At Pandemic Studios, Sam built foundational programs spanning quality of life, wellness, sustainability, and philanthropy, while also partnering with HR during the company’s acquisition. He supported multiple game teams and launches, produced large-scale events, managed freelance creative talent, and oversaw budgets and operations for content initiatives.

  • 2003 — 2006

    Associate Producer

    Activision

    At Activision, Sam played a crucial role in delivering four AAA holiday releases by overseeing production from early development through QA, localization, and final submission. He ensured projects stayed on schedule and met quality standards. Additionally, Sam led an award-winning international press demo tour and enhanced team efficiency by prioritizing tasks, managing bug fixes, and facilitating clear communication among teams.

  • 1997 — 2003

    Director | Development

    Green Moon Productions

    At Green Moon Productions, Sam led the development and production of both studio and independent films, as well as television series, overseeing projects from inception to packaging and distribution. His portfolio included the film Tart and contributions to projects like Man of No Consequence and Part Time Playboy. Additionally, Sam leveraged his relationships with agencies, financiers, and studios to acquire material and bring scripts to life.

  • 1992 — 1997

    Creative Executive

    Sony Pictures Entertainment

    At Red Wagon Productions, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Sam oversaw the tracking of available screenplays while generating story notes and compiling essential creative lists for projects in development. He also supported the company's creative pipeline by fostering relationships with emerging writers and directors, contributing to films such as Hollow Man and Stuart Little.

In The News

Newsfeed

  • 5 June 2026 · Mobidictum

    D2C Myths vs. Reality Xsolla Execs on What Studios Are Getting Wrong and What’s Actually Working

    Read more

Formative Years

Education

  • UCLA

    Business Administration | Political Science/Film

Areas Of Focus

Expertise

  • Entertainment
  • Media
  • Technology
  • Fintech
  • Business Development
  • E-Commerce
  • Gaming & Esports
  • Media Production
  • Payment Solutions
  • Sales Structure & Process