Former bigwig at Sony CEA and Sega of America has just become President and Chief Operating Officer of BAM! Entertainment.
The name Bernie Stolar is a persistent one in the gaming industry, and he'll be particularly familiar to longtime Sega fans and early Dreamcast owners. Stolar left Sega shortly after the DC launch, and there were rumors that Nintendo was picking him up, but he eventually landed at Mattel Interactive for a couple of years. Now he has moved again, this time to become President and Chief Operating Officer of BAM! Entertainment. BAM! has published a few N64 titles and several GBA games, and their first GameCube offerings should be arriving soon. They were the first publisher to ever bring Fire Pro Wrestling to the United States. Here's the full press release for those interested:
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
San Jose, Calif. (January 22, 2002)-BAM! Entertainment (Nasdaq: BFUN)
announced today that 20-year games industry veteran Bernard Stolar has
joined the company as its President and Chief Operating Officer. In this
capacity, Mr. Stolar, longtime colleague of BAM!'s management team, will
be responsible for directing North American business operations,
marketing, and worldwide product development.
As a senior executive, Stolar has extensive domestic and international
expertise with start-up, privately held and public companies. He has
vast experience within the video game industry, where he has managed all
aspects of company operations and software development. Mr. Stolar is
recognized worldwide for his leadership roles in several of the
industry's foremost companies, including Executive Vice President of
Sony Computer Entertainment America, President and Chief Operating
Officer of Sega of America, and President of Mattel Interactive.
Notably, he was an integral member of the launch teams for both the Sega
Dreamcast and the Sony PlayStation.
"I am thrilled to join BAM!, a company that is positioned for long-term
success," said Bernard Stolar, President and COO, BAM! Entertainment.
"BAM! offers an executive management team with a sound understanding of
the interactive entertainment industry, powerful licenses, quality
games, and titles across all major platforms."
"With Bernie's appointment, BAM! has achieved another significant
milestone in building a leading interactive entertainment company," said
Ray Musci, CEO, BAM! Entertainment. "Bernie's in-depth knowledge of all
phases of company operations will enhance our strategic initiatives,
broaden our product offerings and help increase shareholder value."
