EA Veteran To Head Infogrames' New Distribution Entity

Atari parent Infogrames announced that Electronic Arts veteran Jackie Fromion will head its newly formed distribution entity -- temporarily named Distribution Partners -- which will re-organize the company's European and Asian distribution operations. Fromion was jointly nominated by shareholders and will lead Distribution Partners' management team on the company's future strategy, while recently appointed Patric Starr serves as chairman of the Board. Previous to Infogrames, Fromion managed Electronic Arts' operations in France, Southern Europe, and eventually Label Brand Development for the Sims line. Prior to that he was managing director for Yoplait's European operations. Namco Bandai will hold a 34 percent stake in the new entity, in accordance with its deal formed with the French publisher in September. Infogrames will retain the remaining stake, and the entity will have exclusive distribution rights for all of Namco Bandai and Infogrames’ products in Europe and Asia. The new company is expected to increase the revenues and profitability of Infogrames’ distribution operations by establishing distribution contracts with multiple, but so far unnamed, publishers. The new business is valued at €95 million ($133 million), and is expected to be up and running before the end of February 2009. "I am very pleased to welcome Jackie," says Infogrames CEO David Gardner, also an Electronic Arts vet. "As head of the new distribution company, he will bring his dynamism, professionalism and experience to help us to grow the business and develop the strategy."