Bernie Stolar Joins Summus Board of Directors

Bernie Stolar, former president of both Sega and Sony Computer Entertainment America, has joined the board of directors of mobile phone content producer Summus Inc. Stolar will help guide the company's efforts in all areas of its business, from marketing to development to planning. Summus itself deals with a variety of mobile entertainment content, ranging from The Wall Street Journal Mobile to mobile video game content such as Texas Hold'em by Phil Hellmuth, UNO Challenge and Kentucky Derby Championship Racing. Stolar's previous time at the two software giants was marked by an emphasis on platform image; his tenure was criticized by some 'hardcore' game fans for his insistence on leaving some of their most awaited games in Japan on the basis that they wouldn't be mainstream enough to succeed in the U.S., as well as a general anti-RPG stance. However, as Summus' announcement points out, he also helped launch the PlayStation, which has grown into the dominant force in the video game business, and his time at Sega saw the company's sales increase from $200 million to $1 billion. "We are delighted that Bernie has joined our board of directors, and look forward to his guidance as we prepare to expand both our product portfolio and distribution," said Summus CEO Gary E. Ban. "His strong industry relationships and deep experience in product development and licensing will be a significant asset as we expand our product portfolio through new branded-content partners."