Kotaku has appointed Rebekah Valentine as a Senior Reporter amid the site's expansion following a change in ownership

Kotaku, a respected platform in the gaming media sector, has onboarded Rebekah Valentine as a Senior Reporter. This marks the first major recruitment move since Swiss-based Keleops Media acquired the site from G/O Media in July 2025, a purchase as reported by GamesIndustry.biz. Valentine's hiring is a precursor to more additions to the team, reflecting the brand's momentum under Keleops' ownership. She has prior experience with IGN and GamesIndustry.biz.

Kotaku's Managing Director, Mylène Poncet, conveyed to GamesIndustry.biz the satisfaction with the acquisition's progress, noting the doubling in site traffic. Poncet emphasized that recruiting seasoned journalists is part of a strategy to elevate the outlet's stature.

The interim Editor-in-Chief, Ethan Gach, noted Valentine's expertise in business journalism and coverage of niche communities, including those around indie sensations such as Blue Prince and Baby Steps. Gach said Valentine’s presence is anticipated to foster innovation in their reporting.

Gach remarked that original reporting should be central to Kotaku's identity and believes that Valentine's skills will significantly contribute to uncovering the gaming industry's secrets for their audience.

Expressing her excitement about the new role, Valentine mentioned to GamesIndustry.biz her enthusiasm for enhancing her writing capabilities within Kotaku, focusing on clear news delivery and comprehensive investigative pieces. She also looks forward to the creative flexibility the role offers.

Discussing the site’s direction, Gach expressed gratitude for the opportunity to expand, attributing this to the support from Keleops, which appreciates Kotaku's unique value and proactively invests to realize its potential.

Gach reflected on past challenges, noting that "private equity nearly jeopardized Kotaku." He highlighted the current growth and vitality as testaments to the team's unwavering dedication and the site's mission post-G/O Media.

He emphasized that with new investments comes the obligation to maintain high editorial standards. "Our readers seek both information and entertainment, and comprehensive reporting plays a critical role in the gaming industry landscape," he stated.

Valentine's addition and forthcoming hires are seen as strengthening Kotaku’s capacity to transform industry leads into full stories. Gach highlighted journalism's collaborative nature, suggesting that collective efforts often yield results that surpass the individual contributions.