GamePlan

Tuesday 10th March/...Leading UK retailers today backed GamePlan, the new business-to-business retail sales event for the video and computer games industry. The news follows recent confirmation that UK retail association ERA (Entertainment Retailers' Association) has thrown its support behind the two-day sales event.

At the same time it was confirmed that Gerry Berkley, long-time senior games industry buying manager and more recently the trading manager for games at Woolworths, is working on a consultancy basis with GamePlan.

Retailers backing GamePlan include GAME, HMV and ASDA.

Alex Vines, Head of Commercial Planning at GAME, said: “It is clearly an event that will help publishers deliver briefings on new titles to our buying teams in a way that is more economic. This is good news for everyone and presents an important step forward in the maturing of the UK business and how we all do business together, respecting the pressure we all have on our time.”

An ASDA spokesperson said: “Bringing suppliers together under one roof for sales discussion is very important for a company like ASDA. The decision to create an event that allows us to see publishers side by side, locally, is very much what we have been seeking. It is low on time cost as well, which is important for retail and publishers.”

A spokesperson for HMV added: “Sending key staff to so many sales conferences has proved difficult to sustain. Two days of meetings with leading publishers is a welcome move for HMV.”

Meanwhile, Gerry Berkley in his role as a consultant to Gameplan.

“I was delighted to become involved in GamePlan,” said Berkley. “I know the team behind it well and know they have a great deal of experience in building and delivering events. UK retail undoubtedly needed a shot in the arm and a forum in which business could be done in a controlled environment that was not onerous on time and cost for all parties.

“GamePlan's formula, I believe, delivers the perfect solution.”

GamePlan launches in 2009 following widespread discussions with both UK retailers and games publishers and will offer a business environment with an emphasis on one-to-one meetings between publishers and retailers. It offers both retail and publishers a place where they can meet under one roof and do business over a two day period.

Importantly, it also offers a single event at which retail can see games side by side and get a real feel for the range of forthcoming titles.

GamePlan intends to attract 15 leading games companies, which will each have a formal private sales, meeting and presentation suite to talk business with their customers.

The event will deliver around 60 key individuals from retail for formal sales meetings and presentations as well as social time.

GamePlan is an invitation-only event and all retailers will attend for free, including complimentary hotel rooms and suites for the duration of the event.

GamePlan will take place on June 24th - 26th 2009.

Ends.