The ESA Foundation today announced that William "Bing" Gordon, executive vice president and chief creative officer of Electronic Arts (EA), will receive the 2004 Champions Award at the annual "Nite to Unite for Kids" event in recognition of his outstanding service and contributions to the interactive entertainment industry. "Nite to Unite for Kids" is the computer and video game industry's premiere charity fundraising event benefiting children's charities.
"Bing’s is a legacy both made, and still in the making, and we are proud to recognize him as an industry champion," said Douglas Lowenstein, president of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the trade association representing U.S. computer and video game publishers. "As a founder of EA, the fourth largest capitalized software company in the world, as the person who piloted EA's groundbreaking creative studios for many years, and as the chief creative officer of the industry leader, Bing Gordon has well earned the accolades of his peers."
Presented by the Entertainment Software Association and hosted by the ESA Foundation, the annual "Nite to Unite for Kids" is the computer and video game industry's premiere charity fundraising event-a dinner and live-auction on Tuesday, October 19, at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco.
The Co-Chairs for the Nite to Unite Kids Dinner are Larry Probst, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Electronic Arts, Geoff Mulligan, Chief Operating Officer of Konami Digital Entertainment America, and Paul Eibeler, President of Take-Two Interactive Software.
In a joint statement, the chairs said, "Through the Champions Award, the industry wanted to recognize someone who is making a profound and ongoing contribution to the evolution of video games as a cultural force. Additionally, it was important to recognize someone who helped form the history of our industry and will continue to shape our future direction. Bing Gordon has had a deep and ongoing impact on the growth of video games into mainstream entertainment. The natural choice was Bing Gordon."
Mr. Gordon has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer since March 1998. Prior to this, he served as Executive Vice President, Marketing since October 1995. From August 1993 to October 1995, he served as Executive Vice President of EA Studios and as Senior Vice President of Entertainment Production since February 1992. He also served as Senior Vice President of Marketing, as General Manager of EA Studios, as Vice President of Marketing, as Director of Advertising and as Vice President of the former entertainment division while employed by the company.
Past Champions Award recipients have included such industry luminaries as Toys ‘R" Us' Michael Goldstein, Nintendo's Howard Lincoln, Sega's Isao Ogawa, EA's Will Wright, Electronic Boutique's Jeffrey Griffiths, and Rare's Joel Hochberg.
Companies or individuals interested in supporting this worthwhile cause are invited to attend the black-tie optional gala event, and/or participate in the online charity auction. Tickets to the gala are $500 for individuals; table sponsorships are available. For more information, contact Leslie Price, Price Lampert Associates at 1-800-949-3660, or via email at leslie_price@computerworld.com.