Entertainment Consumers Association Introduces New Organization - the ECA Institute

Leading Gamer Advocacy Organization Creates New Non-Profit to Address Research, Programming and Policy Development Needs

Wilton, Connecticut (February 19, 2009) – The Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA), the non-profit that represents video game enthusiasts, is pleased to announce the formation of the ECA Institute, a 501(c)(3) organization. Acting on the increasing requests of its members, the public sector and others regarding policy, research and programming for the general public, the Entertainment Consumers Association has established a separate, related charity to specifically pursue and expand on these goals. At its core, the ECA Institute’s work will inform the development of Entertainment Consumers Association’s public policy positions and encourage and influence public debate on the issues most pertinent to gamers today.

“We’re very excited about the launch of the Institute, as it provides a whole host of new services and support toward very important issue areas to us,” said ECA founder, Hal Halpin. “The Institute enables us to work with existing and new supporters in different ways than the Entertainment Consumers Association can and, as a result, will make advancing the wants and needs of gamers more effective. It is an interesting collaborative environment that will yield some truly impressive results and affect change in wholly new and compelling ways.”

The ECA Institute will support specific areas of activity, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Research and Polling

Conduct objective and relevant research on issues reflecting ECA Institute’s strategic priorities, including: First Amendment rights, universal broadband, Network Neutrality, and consumer protection.

Publications

Dissemination of information via formatted reports. Borrowing from various credible media publications, both print and online, in order to best relay findings and research reports. All ECA Institute research reports are peer reviewed by internal and external subject experts.

Technical Assistance/Expert Consultation

The ECA Institute also functions to support the Entertainment Consumers Association’s advocacy efforts with ad hoc, expert consultation, rapid response analysis and technical assistance, all of which help to guide the Entertainment Consumers Association advocacy efforts.

Scholarships and Other Educational Programs

Develop and foster game education programs and assistance to students through scholarships and financial aid in accredited schools. The Institute also supports the efforts of new and existing games-related charities.

Public Representation

Through a strong presence in public and professional forums, including work groups and commissions, the ECA Institute contributes to and helps shape both public discussion of its priority issues and decision makers’ understanding of gamers’ needs and concerns.

More related announcements will be made in the near term. For more information on the ECA Institute, please visit: [url]www.ecainstitute.org[/url].

About the Entertainment Consumers Association

Formed in 2006, the Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA) is the non-profit membership organization established to serve the evolving needs of individuals who play computer and video games. ECA serves as an advocacy organization for interactive entertainment consumers who represent nearly fifty percent of the population, have an average age of 33, and spend over $12 billion a year on gaming. ECA’s mission is to give gamers a voice and ensure that federal, state and local politicians in the U.S. and Canada hear their concerns and appreciate their demographic power. The organization focuses its advocacy efforts on a variety of consumer rights issues, anti-games legislation, and other public policy concerns as well as providing substantial community, educational, and affinity benefits to its members—from discounts on games-related subscriptions, rentals and purchases to education, employment assistance, and insider access to industry information and partners. For more information on ECA and/or to take action and sign up for membership, please visit: [url]www.theeca.com[/url].