24 MCV 11/09/09
WWW.MCVUK.COM
ELSPA’S 20th ANNIVERSARY
Thanks for the memories Some of the UK industry’s most notable execs look back over ELSPA’s last two decade – and offer their very own congratulatory messages…
“Few companies, let alone individuals, can claim to have been in our industry for 20 years (not even MCV!) – and it’s reflective of our industry’s growth and maturity that ELSPA is stronger than ever. “Congratulations to all those who have and continue to dedicate time and support for a very important industry institution.” Matt Carroll, Country Director, Disney Interactive Studios
“Congratulations to ELSPA on 20 years of tireless work to promote and defend our industry. They have always made a point to listen to everyone involved – not just at the start of the supply chain, but the customers and retailers as well, and then presented a coherent and united case to the media and Government audiences that try to impact our businesses. “One of ELSPA’s great strengths has always been their ability to reflect the industry’s great passion for finding ever better ways to entertain customers while also providing them with clear information and protection. To have maintained this focus while the industry has faced such enormous challenges and opportunities is tribute to the focus and skill of their team, and we’re very grateful for all of the support they have given to GAME and Gamestation over the last two decades.” Terry Scicluna, COO, GAME Group UK & Ireland
“ELSPA serves its membership, nay it serves this industry – and to please all the people all of the time is a thankless task. The founding ethos by those who had the foresight and commitment to act in the interest of the greater good of the video games business by coming together as a representative body is stronger today than it has ever been. From a UK-centric entity with narrow support and resources picking isolated challenges, it now sits at the top table, integrated globally and influencing policy with the country’s decision makers. It’s reach is broader and it is heard loud and clear and is listened to in the corridors of power – and this before it has marked its coming of age. “The best years lie ahead and ELSPA deserves salutations and support from us all. We are not worthy! So, Andy, Mike and all the team at ELSPA let me say thank you for being the torch bearers – and congratulations on this momentous anniversary. I'm sure we ain’t seen nothing yet!” Rod Cousens, CEO, Codemasters
“Huge congratulations to everyone who has been involved with and has devoted time to ELSPA over the past 20 years. There have been some significant milestones passed and seemingly insurmountable odds overcome along the way. “As an industry we should all be very proud of what we have achieved and the benefits that ELSPA’s work and decisions have brought to everyone in our industry and beyond. “Whilst it’s right at times like this to look back into the past, the real challenge for ELSPA now is to look forward and focus on the next 20 years for the video games industry. We as members need to ensure that we help the organisation evolve by creating a strategy that keeps ELSPA relevant not only to its members and the wider publishing community but to the public too.” David Yarnton, UK General Manager, Nintendo
“I attended some of the early industry meetings when the formation of a trade body was discussed and remember thinking: ‘This is a good idea but it will never happen.’ Well it did. And it lasted. And it has been incredibly successful on a number of fronts over 20 years. I spent four very interesting years as an ELSPA Board member and gained a great insight into the amount of energy that goes into dealing with so many topics. There are the headline issues that many people are aware of: The formation of ChartTrack, age-ratings, antipiracy, the formation of ISFE. But there is always so much more going on behind the scenes that the guys at ELSPA are quietly and energetically getting on with. “Three cheers to Roger Bennett for keeping it all together for so many years... to Mike Rawlinson for so successfully taking over the baton... to the numerous Chairmen and Board members who have put in so much of their time... and to the staff at ELSPA who are continuously working for the benefit of games publishers and the industry in general.” Pete Stone, UK General Manager, Konami
“Over the last 20 years ELSPA has helped to support and build a stronger video games industry. In particular, its recent successful campaign to retain the PEGI ratings system as legally recognised was of great practical and economic benefit to the industry. Well done ELSPA and happy birthday!” Ian Livingstone, Life President, Eidos
“Future has been an associate member of ELSPA for over a decade. We joined ELSPA because we share their objectives on growing the games business responsibly, and support their anti-piracy stance. If ELSPA didn’t exist you’d have to invent it. The European games industry of 20 years ago was very different, but the ELSPA founders had the vision to create a body that today matches the scale and social importance of video games. Happy birthday!” James Binns, Publishing Director, Future Publishing
“It has been an absolute pleasure to serve on the ELSPA board during a period of increasing change, development and challenge for this industry. ELSPA and the industry has come a long way in the last 20 years and it is very exciting to begin to contemplate the next 20 (although I’ll probably be sitting in a twilight home in Penge for their 40th!). Happy Birthday ELSPA. Here’s to many more years.” Andy Barker, Customer Services Director, SCEE
“The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association has worked well to protect and promote the interests of its members over the last 20 years. “They continue to address the issues that affect all of us and are an important part of our great industry.” Spencer Crossley, UK Sales and Marketing Director, Warner Bros