The Entertainment Software Association has officially named Stanley Pierre-Louis as the President and CEO, according to press release earlier today. Pierre-Louis has been serving as the interim President and CEO after Michael Gallagher stepped down from the role in October of 2018. He has an impressive track record in many different roles, including varied boards at his alma mater, the University of Chicago Law School, where he received his Juris Doctorate. Pierre-Louis was also the Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel for Intellectual Property at media-giant Viacom and held multiple law-related positions in companies throughout the media landscape.
Stanley Pierre-Louis is excited to continue his work with ESA at the helm in an official capacity. “I look forward to leading the ESA and advocating for the industry with a strong voice and clear vision,” says Pierre-Louis in the press statement. Pierre-Louis also appears to have the support of his peers at ESA, with Robert Altman, Chairman of the ESA Board, citing his experience in the entertainment sector and “strategic vision” as evidence that he is the perfect man for the job.
The Entertainment Software Association is a Washington D.C.-based trade association within the video game industry. Outside of the behind-the-scenes work that they do, including overseeing the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) and keeping a watchful eye on legislation that would do harm to the gaming industry, they are famously known for organizing the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). They are also responsible for advocacy campaigns, research, and surveys regarding the game industry.
Most recently, they have released their annual survey, “2019 Essential Facts About the Computer and Video Game Industry” detailing interesting facts about the industry at large, including who is playing which games. The survey stands against the stereotype of the average, basement-dwelling gamer image, showing that many different types of people play video games. The ESA overall does good work and has the best interests of the video game industry in mind; naming Stanley Pierre-Louis as President and CEO officially should allow the association to continue to prosper.