The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) sent word today that Joseph Olin will be stepping down from his position as President "to pursue new opportunities." He assumed the role back in June 2004, and since that time Academy membership has increased six-fold from 3,000 to 20,000.
Olin also helped raise the profile of the annual D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Create, Entertain) Summit and he was instrumental in bringing the Interactive Achievement Awards to television. More recently, Olin initiated the Academy’s first scholarship funds to honor the late Randy Pausch and Mark Beaumont. He also expanded Into the Pixel internationally and inaugurated the Indie Game Challenge with The GuildHall at Southern Methodist University and GameStop.
Replacing Olin will be Martin Rae, who's worked as an executive at several video game, entertainment and start-up companies. Prior to AIAS, Rae served as the CEO of Sunleaf Studios, a virtual world/Internet game development company and the developer of Pandanda.com. Rae also held various CEO positions at Boss Entertainment, including Boss Game Studios and The Electric Playground.
“It has been an honor and absolute pleasure to serve the Academy’s Board and members,” said Olin. “The dynamic nature within the interactive entertainment industry is always best served with new ideas – now is an appropriate time to transition from the Academy in a way that will ensure its continued growth through Martin’s leadership and energy. I look forward to working with Martin and the Board as their representative in the months ahead.”
“I am honored to have been selected by the Academy’s Board,” said Rae. “The Academy has made tremendous progress under Joseph’s stewardship and I look forward to building on those accomplishments.”
AIAS said that Olin will be working with Rae and the Board through the remainder of 2010 to make sure the 10th D.I.C.E. Summit and 14th Interactive Achievement Awards proceed smoothly.
