Affinity Media Founder Resigns

Gaming asset holding company Affinity Media has announced that following its acquisition of WoW database site Wowhead and the sale of gold farming business IGE, CEO Brock Pierce has resigned, to be replaced by Genius Products chairman Steve Bannon. Former child actor Pierce founded the company in 2001 as IGE, but had since expanded as Affinity and divested itself of the IGE operations. In a statement, Affinity said Pierce "felt it was the best time to step down and bring in a new CEO to take the company into its next stage." He will remain as an advisor and board member and will be "pursuing new business endeavors." Steve Bannon will be replacing Pierce as interim CEO. Bannon currently serves as chairman of the board at Genius Products, an independent entertainment distribution company co-owned by The Weinstein Company. Genius handles products for companies such as IFC, NBC News, the Sundance Channel and ESPN.