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The Entertainment Merchant Association |
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Summary of Proceedings EMA Video Board of Directors Meeting July 10, 2006 – Las Vegas, Nevada The EMA Video Board of Directors discussed the following agenda topics and took the indicated actions at its July 10, 2006 meetings, held in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Board welcomed Ken Dorrance (Owner, Video Station – Alameda, CA), Gregg Kaplan (CEO, Redbox Automated Retail LLC), and Tracey Koller (Senior Merchant/Video, Target Corp.) as Directors. The Board thanked departing Directors Mark Vrieling and Todd Zaganiacz for their service.
The Board was informed that net income for the year-to-date (through May 31) was approximately 13% better than budget (exclusive of costs associated with the merger of IEMA and VSDA). The positive financial performance was attributed to better-than-expected joint venture and interest income and savings in payroll, G&A, and programmatic expenses.
It was announced that the merger of Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association and Video Software Dealers Association was complete and that members of the respective organizations were being successfully transitioned to the Entertainment Merchants Association. The Board unanimously ratified the bylaws of EMA. It was noted that the bylaws opened membership to all involved in the retailing of home entertainment software, including motion pictures, computer and video games, and sound recordings, and that the Board would consist of 24 members in order to accommodate all the former IEMA and VSDA Directors.
The Board reviewed the Association's existing ratings education and enforcement programs for motion pictures and video games, the Federal Trade Commission's reports on ratings enforcement by retailers, and recent congressional hearings on video game ratings. It was noted that, as a result of the merger of IEMA and VSDA and the launch of "Commitment To Parents" by the Entertainment Software Rating Board, EMA members had subscribed to several different ratings education and enforcement protocols. It was suggested that there needs to be greater conformity in the model ratings education and enforcement programs. The Board also expressed concern that, although the rate of video game rating enforcement had improved dramatically since 2000, it is still not high enough. By a unanimous vote, the Board directed staff to develop a model code for ratings education, enforcement, and advertising that could be applied consistently to motion picture videos and computer and video games by all EMA members.
Staff reviewed with the Board the features of VSDA's Home Entertainment 2006 and projections for show financial performance. The Board also discussed options for enhancements to the show in 2007 to maintain its relevance and value to the industry.
Jim Loperfido, Chair of the Independent Dealers of Entertainment Association reported on iDEA activities and initiatives. He noted that the "Project UNITES" initiative includes a marketing campaign for independent video retailers, expansion of the VideoRetailer.com purchasing tools, new credit card and gift card programs, and a program to build an Internet backbone that will allow independent video retailers to engage in online rentals and sales, and eventually downloads.
The Board voted unanimously to accept 25 membership applications received between March 25 and June 23, 2006.
The Board unanimously ratified the minutes from its April 7, 2006 meeting and May 17, 2006 teleconference.
At the organizational meeting of the 2006-2007 Board of Directors, the following were elected as officers for 2006-2007:
The Board received written reports on government affairs and public relations activities, Entertainment Ratings & Labeling Awareness Month, and the Project: FAIR anti-piracy public service announcements.
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