Earlier this year GamePolitics reported that the Entertainment Software Association hired Jennifer Manner (left) as its new head of government relations (i.e., lobbying).
Apparently, the ESA and Manner were not a good fit. The National Journal reports that the ESA's new head lobbyist is gone after just a month in her new position:
Manner, a long-time Democrat, didn't appear to have extensive Capitol Hill or administration experience. Her background included stints as a vice president of regulatory affairs at Skyterra Communications, chair of the Satellite Industry Association, and senior counsel to former FCC Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy. She has also... taught as an adjunct professor of law. ESA is not advertising any new job openings on its Web site.
An association spokesman confirmed that Manner had departed but gave no further information.
By our count, Manner is the third ESA VP to leave in the last 12 months. Others include former senior VP and general counsel Gail Markels and Ed Desmond, whose position was filled by Manner.
As we mentioned when Manner's hiring was announced, an ESA press release made it a point to refer to her as a "long-time Democrat." ESA CEO Mike Gallagher is a former Bush administration official.
Culture clash?
Comments
Re: Quick Exit: ESA's Head Lobbyist Out After a Month
No offense to Mz. Manner, but her lack of relevant experience demonstrates how UTTERLY MISMANAGED the ESA is.
This is a prime example of just why Videogames are the favored wipping boy of everybody from Christians to Nanny State Socialists to Democrats to Republicans. The ESA has been incompetent since the very start. All they do is play defensively and they do a shit job at that- most of these anti-games bills should have never even been born. Jack Thompson should have been sued into oblivion years ago. And the ESRB, by rerating San Andreas, set the games industry back by years.
The simple fact that they don't even know how to hire effectively, for such an important job, is shameful.
Re: Quick Exit: ESA's Head Lobbyist Out After a Month
Well that sucks. Hopefully she can find a job that better suits her.
Also, I wonder if Gallagher is the reason we don't have super-censorship right now?
Re: Quick Exit: ESA's Head Lobbyist Out After a Month
If anybody is in a position to know just how much both parties love to pick on games, it's the ESA. In fact, I'd imagine the ESA would actively try to make sure they have people connected to each side of the aisle, to better fend off attacks from both sides. Besides, if they were going to play petty politics like this, why would they hire her in the first place?
Re: Quick Exit: ESA's Head Lobbyist Out After a Month
You are right you would think that the ESA would try to make sure they had people connected to each side of the aisle, that is what Lowenstein did and it worked out pretty well for him. Gallagher on the other hand seems to have taken another route.....
Re: Quick Exit: ESA's Head Lobbyist Out After a Month
"As we mentioned when Manner's hiring was announced, an ESA press release made it a point to refer to her as a "long-time Democrat." ESA CEO Mike Gallagher is a former Bush administration official.
Culture clash?"
It dose seem out of place to mention thats she's a democrat, however I don't belive it is a cultural clash. For all we know Ms.Manner might not have been a good fit for the job.
http://www.magicinkgaming.com/
Re: Quick Exit: ESA's Head Lobbyist Out After a Month
"Manner didn't appear to have extensive Capitol Hill or administration experience. "
Usually, things like this are found out during the interview process. Or they should be anyway.
Re: Quick Exit: ESA's Head Lobbyist Out After a Month
Should indeed. If I wanted to hire the voice of the lobbist group, I would have picked someone who obviously could handle Capitol Hill and deal with Admins.... if the ESA didn't realize that she was inexperienced or couldn't handle it, then they are pretty useless.
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James Fletcher, member of ECA Canada