First Ever Gamers Association Announces Key Partnerships (gamezone)

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Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA) Secures Support from Leading Companies in the Interactive Entertainment Space and Beyond

The Entertainment Consumers Association, a newly formed non-profit consumer advocacy organization, today announced their first round of key partnerships – influential companies which have signed on as strategic supporters of the organization and have committed to working with the ECA to further the organization’s mission. The ECA was formed by Hal Halpin, a well respected industry veteran, to act as an advocate for the interactive entertainment consumers and the new strategic partners have aligned themselves with the organization in support of that mission.

“There’s been an amazingly positive reception for the ECA from the industry - be they publishers, developers, retailers or enthusiast media – which has helped to support and strengthen our cause,” said ECA president Hal Halpin. “The games industry companies for years has been saying they are committed to gamers, and with the help of the ECA, I believe that goal can be achieved as we strive to enable and empower the consumers and their voices.”

The ECA did not solicit any outside corporation for funding in any way, shape or form, but rather took the approach of straight-forward barter agreements so as to provide a path of least resistance for companies looking to work with the new organization: Trade shows, conferences and events would therefore be able to provide free or discounted admission to ECA members. Media outlets could give membership discounts on subscriptions to magazines, newsletters and premium website content and retailers could offer extended free trial periods or discounts on purchases. The ECA continues to foster positive relationships with entertainment companies and outlets, and as a result, will work with many more companies in order to provide their members with even more benefits which will be announced at a later date.

Currently, the list of partners that are working with the ECA include:

• 1UP Network/Ziff Davis Media – publisher of Electronic Gaming Monthly, Games for Windows Magazine and the entire 1UP Network (File Front, Game Videos, MyCheats, The 1UP Show and GameTab)
• America’s Video Game Expo
• Bawls Guarana
• Chase Manhattan Bank
• Evergreen Events, Inc.
• GameJobs
• GamePolitics
• Gamers – the Movie
• GameFly
• Gen Con
• Hardcore Gamer Magazine
• Hyatt Hotels & Resorts
• Intec
• i-Tec Electronics
• LFP – publisher of Tips & Tricks Magazine
• NCsoft
• New York Comic Con
• Performance Designed Products – makers of Pelican, Score, Headbanger Audio and VG Pocket
• The Themis Group – including The Escapist and WarCry Network
• Video Games Live
• Yahoo! Games

ECA members have begun to receive many of the benefits mentioned above along with a host of additional services and support, and over the course of the coming months members will enjoy even more benefits from these partners as programs and initiatives are added.

For more information, including how to sign up for an ECA membership, please visit www.theeca.com.