ESA Gets Former FCC Counsel For Gov't Relations Team

The Entertainment Software Association has tapped former FCC senior counsel Jennifer Manner to head up its federal and state government relations team. Manner, also a former exec at Skyterra Communications, will work with elected officials and regulatory agencies on the ESA's behalf. "The entertainment software industry is faced with a variety of challenges and opportunities at the national level from protecting intellectual property and preserving First Amendment rights to fostering economic development and technological advancement," says ESA CEO Michael Gallagher. "Jennifer's wealth of policy experience, particularly in the broadband space, will serve the ESA and our members well as we work to create a prosperous environment for the entire computer and video game industry." Manner is a Democrat, and gained experience via the Federal Communications Commission in public policy and federal technology issues. She's also held positions with satellite companies and served as legal counsel to a variety of tech-based organizations, according to the ESA. The Entertainment Software Association spent a record $4,244,364.50 on federal lobbying in 2008, with activity in both chambers of Congress on broadband deployment, online gaming governance and immigration issues, and throughout Washington at the U.S. Trade Representative, Department of State, National Security Council Patent & Trademark Office and other agencies on trade regulation, anti-piracy and patent modernization.