Future of Gaming and Business Opportunities with Senior VP of the ESA, Rich Taylor
Rich Taylor, Senior Vice President of Communications and Industry Affairs at the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) will discuss the computer and video game industry, its transition from niche pastime to mainstream industry and the opportunities for those interested in a career in this creative and innovative medium. He will touch upon the many facets of the industry including the “serious” uses for games in the business, education and medical fields, as well as ways Ohio can grow its entertainment software industry. You will also meet some local companies to are involved in the development of cutting-edge gaming applications.
Sixty-five percent of American households play computer and video games and 38 percent of American homes have a video game console. Overall computer and video game sales climbed to $22 billion in 2008, with entertainment software sales comprising $11.7 billion of that total figure.
The ESA is the U.S. trade association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of companies that publish computer and video games for video game consoles, personal computers, and the Internet. The ESA represents a wide variety of video game developers on issues involving piracy, intellectual property and unconstitutional sales regulations as well as working to foster economic conditions that support this robust and growing industry.
7:30-8am: Networking
8am-9am: Presentation
9am-9:30: Q&A
Speaker Details:
Rich Taylor serves as a Senior Vice President of Communications & Industry Affairs for the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). The ESA is the U.S. association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of the companies publishing interactive games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers, and the Internet.
Prior to joining ESA, Taylor was Senior Vice President of External Affairs & Education for the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), the global voice and advocate of the American motion picture, home video and television industries. In his 12 plus years with MPAA, Taylor was the overall head of that organization’s communications department under former MPAA President Jack Valenti. In that capacity, he was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Motion Picture Association of America’s press and communication efforts, while serving as the primary spokesman and a senior strategist for the American motion picture industry. Following the retirement of Valenti, MPAA President and CEO Dan Glickman tapped Taylor to create and oversee a new department/initiative on behalf of the film industry’s trade association. The External Affairs & Education division, established under Taylor’s direction, is responsible for forging partnerships and strategic alliances on behalf of the organization as well as increasing the MPAA’s outreach to students, teachers and administrators at schools serving all ages. Taylor departed MPAA in 2007 to launch AmeriCulture, a unique communications consortium, minority-owned and operated, specializing in multicultural communications, outreach, and positioning.
Previous to joining MPAA, Taylor was a Senior Associate with Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide in Washington, D.C. In that position Taylor spearheaded a number of national campaigns on behalf of agency clients. Taylor has also served as Legislative Assistant to Congressman Jim Chapman (D-TX).