Microsoft's Bach To Be Honored At Nite To Unite

In the season of his retirement from Microsoft after 22 years, Entertainment and Devices Division president Robbie Bach will be honored by the ESA Foundation at its annual Nite to Unite charity dinner benefiting children's organizations. Nite to Unite is a primary fundraiser for the philanthropic arm of the Entertainment Software Association, which has raised some $11 million for various charitable causes over the last 12 years. The dinner, held October 20, charges $500 per ticket for individuals and also offers table sponsorships, with proceeds all benefiting the Foundation's charitable work with various organizations. The ESA Foundation also raises money through sales of charity game packs. The ESA says Bach is this year's honoree thanks in part to his own charitable work benefiting children. He led the creation of the Get Game Smart campaign, which educates kids and families on media management time in the home, and he chairs the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's National Board of Governors, where he encourages tech skills for the organization's young members. "Robbie’s leadership in improving the lives of children appeals to the best within each of us and is a model for others to follow," says ESA president and CEO Michael Gallagher. "His commitment is backed by achievements and real industry leadership. From championing parental controls to increasing the technology skills among youth, he has left an indelible and beneficial mark on millions of children’s lives across America." Past Nite to Unite honorees have included Ubisoft's Yves Guillemot, Nintendo virtuoso Shigeru Miyamoto, and "father of the PlayStation" Ken Kutaragi, among numerous industry veterans and leaders. Last year's benefit dinner raised $800,000.