ESAC Appoints New President And CEO

^[1]The Entertainment Software Association of Canada ^[1] (ESAC) has appointed Jayson Hilchie as its new President & CEO. ESAC is the national voice of the Canadian video game industry, and represents the largest publishers, developers and distributors of video games operating in Canada.

“Jayson has been tasked with leading an effective industry association as it continues to represent a highly dynamic, cutting edge and evolving sector of the Canadian economy,” said Craig Hagen of Electronic Arts, Chair of ESAC. “He will bring a tremendous experience and energy to the job and we’re thrilled to have him on board,” he added. ^[2]

Jayson Hilchie of Halifax, Nova Scotia comes to ESAC with strong understanding of the video game industry, having worked to promote Nova Scotia as a jurisdiction for tech and interactive media investment. Since 2008, Jayson has been Director, IT & Interactive Media – Foreign Direct Investment at Nova Scotia Business Incorporated. There, he lead initiatives to grow the video game industry in Nova Scotia, including attracting Longtail Studios and Frontier Developments to Halifax. He successfully lobbied the government for changes to the Digital Media Tax Credit to relax the eligibility requirement for new hires and has provided senior-level advice to the government on how to position the province in a positive light.

ESAC is the voice of the Canadian computer and video game industry that employs approximately 16,000 people at nearly 350 companies across the country. By contributing $1.7 billion in economic activity and cultivating workers with a combination of creative, technological and management skills, the video game industry is supporting Canada’s position in the changing global economy. This dynamic and growing industry is currently the world’s third largest and holds first place on a per capita basis based on employment levels in other countries. ESAC works on behalf of its members to ensure the legal and regulatory environment is favourable for the long-term development of Canada’s video game industry. Association members include the nation’s leading interactive software developers and publishers including Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Activision Blizzard, Microsoft Canada, Nintendo of Canada, Sony Computer Entertainment, Disney Interactive Studios, THQ, Take Two Interactive, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, as well as distributors Solutions 2 Go and Team One Marketing.