The Entertainment Consumers Association has hired Jennifer Mercurio to handle its government affairs efforts.
Mercurio, formerly the lead attorney at the Entertainment Software Association, will serve as the ECA’s lobbyist, handling government relations and advocacy initiatives. “We’re so pleased to welcome Jenn aboard,” said ECA President Hal Halpin. “We worked together in the past when I ran the IEMA (Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association), and she was one of two big guns leading the charge for the ESA’s state-level legislative affairs, and I couldn’t have been more impressed. Her track record in successfully lobbying against anti-games legislation, and being a part of the team that overturned the few bills that passed, speaks for itself.”
“I’m very excited to be joining the team at ECA,” Mercurio said. “The timing for consumer representation is perfect, and while the challenges may indeed be formidable, I think having the constituents at the table will change the legislative dynamic – it could, in fact, represent a paradigm shift. The digital advocacy component and the development of an extensive network of grassroots chapters really represent such an important evolution for consumers and the interactive entertainment industry as a whole. I’m keen to find out just how influential we can be.”
Halpin added that while Mercurio’s job will not be an easy one, her familiarity with the industry and its players from her time with the ESA will be an asset. “We’ve tasked Jenn with some big challenges,” he said, “but she’ll be working cooperatively alongside of our parallel trade association partners – many of whom she knows well, of course.”
