EMA NAMES Fisher EVP -- VSDA has come a long way baby!

Once upon a time there was an organization called VSDA -- video software dealers assn. Throughout the years I've been honored to cover the revitalization of VSDA as EMA Entertainment Merchant's association so I'm glad to include this full press release on their latest promotion.

EMA Names Mark Fisher as Executive Vice President

 

 

ENCINO, CA (February 2, 2009) … The Entertainment Merchants Association (EMA) has named veteran staff member and former Board member

Mark Fisher

as Executive Vice President of the organization. The announcement was made today by Bo Andersen, President and CEO of EMA.

 

“I am pleased to recognize the tremendous job Mark has done in expanding the membership of EMA to reflect the diversity of home entertainment retailing and increasing and enhancing EMA’s valued services to the video game and DVD industry sectors – particularly on the supply side,” Andersen stated.

 

Since 1999, Fisher has overseen the membership department of EMA, the trade association for the retailers and distributors of DVDs and computer and video games, and its predecessor organization, the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA). In addition to membership retention and growth, Fisher is currently responsible for member communication, strategic planning, and strategic opportunities. Immediately prior to being designated as Executive Vice President, Fisher’s title was Vice President, Membership and Strategic Initiatives.

 

Fisher has more than 30 years of store-level, field-level, and corporate-level retailing experience.

 

In 1975, Fisher started his career as a store manager for a large supermarket chain. In 1982, he assumed responsibility for the field operations of all general merchandise and health and beauty care departments in Stop & Shop Supermarket Company's Connecticut Division

 

Fisher developed the video rental division of Stop & Shop in 1985. The division grew to a peak of 60 stores under his direction. Fisher held responsibility for store operations, purchasing, marketing, and profitability for more than 10 years.

 

In 1997, Fisher joined West Coast Entertainment, a public chain of more than 240 rental stores around the

United States

. He served as Senior Vice-President, Retail Operations, and was responsible for in-store and field management as well as warehousing and distribution.

 

During his tenure as a retailer, Fisher served for three years on the VSDA national Board of Directors, including two years as Treasurer. Prior to that, Fisher served on the New England VSDA Chapter Board of Directors, holding offices of Treasurer and Vice-President.

 

The Entertainment Merchants Association (

EMA

) is the not-for-profit international trade association dedicated to advancing the interests of the $33 billion home entertainment industry.

EMA

represents approximately 500 companies throughout the

United States

,

Canada

, and other nations. Its members operate approximately 27,000 retail outlets in the

U.S.

that sell and/or rent DVDs, computer and console video games, and digitally distributed versions of these products. Membership comprises the full spectrum of retailers (from single-store specialists to multi-line mass merchants, and both brick and mortar and online stores), distributors, the home video divisions of major and independent motion picture studios, and other related businesses that constitute and support the home entertainment industry.

EMA

was established in April 2006 through the merger of the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) and the Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association (IEMA).