Press release: 1996-12-17: Gretchen Eichinger joins Sega to head third party team

This is an unaltered copy of a press release, for use as a primary source on Sega Retro. Please do not edit the contents below. Language: English Original source: The Free Library

 REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 17, 1996--Sega of America Tuesday announced that Gretchen Eichinger has joined the company as group director of third party licensing.

Eichinger will manage business and marketing relationships with independent game developers who create content for Sega's hardware platforms.

Prior to joining Sega, Eichinger was vice president of third party relations at Sony Computer Entertainment America, maker of the Sony PlayStation videogame console.

"Gretchen has a very strong track record in building productive third party relationships, acquiring successful titles and maintaining long-term partnerships with key developers for next generation gaming platforms," said Shoichiro Irimajiri, chairman and CEO, Sega of America.

"Her contributions will be an integral part of our strategy in 1997 to acquire and support the best third party titles, including exclusive games for the Sega Saturn platform."

There are currently more than 40 third party software developers creating games for the Sega Saturn system. By the end of 1996, there will be 155 third party games available for the Sega Saturn systems, with more than 100 new games in development.

While at Sony Computer Entertainment America, Eichinger managed all aspects of third party relations for the Sony PlayStation system, including department organization, title review and selection, forecasting and planning the 1997 line-up. Prior to the vice president position, she was senior account executive responsible for preparing third party game support for the Sony PlayStation product launch.

Eichinger was the western regional sales representative for The 3DO Co. prior to joining Sony. She was the first of four sales representatives for the company and was responsible for selling Studio 3DO products and overall promotion of the 3DO platform to retailers.

Eichinger earned a bachelor of arts degree at the University of California, Berkeley and is working toward a doctorate degree in English literature.

Sega of America is the arm of Tokyo-based Sega Enterprises Ltd. responsible for the development, marketing and distribution of Sega videogame systems and videogames in the Americas. Sega Enterprises Ltd. is a $3.6 billion company recognized as the industry leader in interactive digital entertainment media, and is the only company that offers interactive entertainment experiences both inside and outside the home. Sega of Americas World Wide Web site is located at (http://www.sega.com). -0-

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CONTACT: Dan Stevens

Sega of America

415/802-3996
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