ESA Announces Gallagher As New President 2

Officials from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) have announced that Michael D. Gallagher will serve as the next president of the U.S. based trade group, starting later this month. The announcement follows the departure of Doug Lowenstein, the longstanding head of the ESA, to run the Private Equity Council, and much subsequent speculation over his successor. Microsoft's Robbie Bach, the ESA board of directors chair, has released a statement commenting of the appointment: "Mike's outstanding technology, policy, and government relations experience makes him a strong fit for the ESA, where issues like intellectual property, self-regulation, and industry social and economic contributions are at the forefront of the agenda." Gallagher was formerly an assistant secretary of commerce for communications & information, serving as the chief telecommunications and policy advisor to the Bush administration. He acted as deputy chief of staff for policy & counselor to Donald L. Evans, U.S. secretary of commerce from 2001 to 2005. Most recently, Gallagher was the communications practice chair at law firm Perkins Coie. He is also a member of both the advisory committee to the secretary general of the United Nations for the Internet governance forum and the U.S. state department advisory committee on information and communication policy. "It is a privilege to represent the dynamic entertainment software industry," said Gallagher. "With over two-thirds of American heads of households playing video games, and the tremendous opportunities available to the industry on every device - from consoles and PCs to handhelds and broadband enabled cell phones - the business is poised for tremendous growth. I look forward to working with federal and state leaders to foster an environment where the industry and its consumers can thrive." [UPDATE: In a statement, Entertainment Merchants Association president Bo Andersen welcomed the appointment, saying, “The Entertainment Software Association and EMA, which respectively represent the creators and the retailers of computer and video games, have historically enjoyed a close and positive partnership. We share common goals and objectives, including fending off government censorship of video games, thwarting video game piracy, promoting supply chain operational efficiencies, and ensuring a healthy retail sector. We look forward to working with Mike Gallagher to advance our common agenda.”]