21 July 2010

ELSPA welcomes Sam Collins as Commercial Manager

London, United Kingdom, 21st July 2010 – Today ELSPA, the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association, welcomes Sam Collins as its new Commercial Manager.  

Sam will play a central role as ELSPA transitions to the Association for UK Interactive Entertainment (UKIE). The broadening of the interactive entertainment industry has given rise to new publishers, distributors and service providers, and through its move to UKIE, ELSPA will embrace these potential new members to represent and further the interests of the interactive entertainment industry.

Sam brings a wealth of experience to ELSPA, having worked in the videogames industry for seventeen years. He has an extensive publisher background, which includes developing digital sales strategies for PC and mobile products, and an excellent understanding of the UK and European software markets and key players.

He has previously worked as a Product Manager at Domus Software in Amsterdam, and as a National Account Manager at Virgin Interactive in the UK. Most recently, Sam spent nine and a half years at Majesty House where, as Head of Sales, he oversaw European sales for both Midas Interactive Entertainment and Ghostlight Ltd.

Sam said: “The videogames industry is going through unprecedented changes and ELSPA is at the heart of this evolution. Having previously worked for one of ELSPA’s members, I saw the excellent work they were doing and I am delighted to now be an employee here.  This is a crucial time for ELSPA as it supports its members and broadens its appeal to a wider audience, in line with changes in the interactive entertainment industry.”

Mike Rawlinson, Director General at ELSPA, said: “The interactive entertainment landscape is broader now than ever before with download, mobile, interactive TV, browser games, MMO’s and casual games all expanding the product offering and engaging with new audiences. ELSPA members are expanding their involvement in these new areas, and we’re on hand to help them.  We are very pleased that Sam will be on board to help us with these opportunities, and he will be on hand to discuss any potential members’ questions and to explain how ELSPA can help them achieve their business objectives.”

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Contacts:

For all press enquiries, please contact the ELSPA press office on T: +44 (0)20 7300 6143 or E: press@elspa.com

About ELSPA

The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association represents all the major publishers of games in the UK. Founded in 1989 to establish a specific and collective identity for the country’s interactive leisure software industry, membership includes companies publishing and distributing leisure software in the UK. As a gateway to Europe, ELSPA works to protect, promote and provide for the interests of all its members as well as addressing issues that affect the industry as a whole, such as age ratings, child safety and IP protection.

ELSPA works with members and media to illustrate the beneficial contributions that the UK videogames industry makes to the British economy as well as its influence in other industries. In addition, ELSPA works with GfK Chart-Track to compile weekly, monthly and annual retail charts and sales reports for the UK market.

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