Paul Eibeler

Paul Eibeler was CEO of Take-Two Interactive between 2005 and 2007.

Early life

Eibler was born July 26, 1955 in Hicksville, New York. He attended Holy Trinity High School where he excelled in basketball and this enabled him to earn an athletic scholarship to Loyola College of Maryland. He was awarded the ECAC Merit Medal in his senior year and graduated in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.^{[citation needed]}.

Tenure at Take-Two Interactive

In July 2000 Eibeler joined Take-Two Interactive as President and Director. In April 2003 he left Take-Two after a medical leave,^[1] and returned as president and director in April 2004. In February 2005 Eibeler was named CEO. In March 2007 Eibeler resigned as CEO after a proxy battle.^[2]

Most notable events during Eibler's management:

• In July 2005, CEO Eibeler oversaw a Federal Trade Commission investigation in to advertising practices and claims.^[3]

• In July 2005, CEO Eibeler oversaw the rating change of best-selling game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas from "Mature" to "Adult" and the resulting drop in distribution.^[4]

• In 2006 CEO Eibeler oversaw investigations into backdating of options for former Take-Two executives which resulted in the company's founder, Ryan Brant pleading guilty and was convicted of a felony.^[5]

• Throughout his tenure, CEO Eibeler oversaw a groundswell of political pressure against Take-Two from the political right, and from conservative activist Jack Thompson.^[6] Penny Arcade came to Eibeler's defense after attacks by Thompson and donated $10,000 to charity. Thompson has since been disbarred.^[7]

• Take-Two grew from $250 million in revenue to over $1.5 billion, the company's market capitalization increased from $250 million to over $1.5 billion^[8] and employee numbers grew from 200 to 2000.

• The shareholder base included key funds such as Fidelity, Legg Mason, Seligman, Oppenheimer, etc.

• The company developed over 30 major million unit titles including the Grand Theft Auto franchise, Midnight Club, Max Payne, Sid Meier's Civilization, Bioshock, Carnival Games, and maintained premier relationships with the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League and Major League Baseball through the 2K Sports division.

• Take-Two's stock rose 198% from $7.58 per share in July 2000 to $15.01 a share in April 2003. Upon returning in 2004, shares rose 26% from $23.46 in April 2004 to a high of $29.34 in June 2005.^[9]

• In December 2005, Herb Greenberg of the MarketWatch picked Eibeler as 'Worst CEO of the Year".^[10]

Other roles

Eibeler's professional career includes^{[citation needed]} management and upper management positions for Black and Decker, Imagic (maker of games for Atari), Worlds of Wonder (Teddy Ruxpin), Impact International and Acclaim Entertainment (video game developer and publisher). Prior to joining Take-Two, Eibeler was a member of Microsoft's Xbox launch team. Presently he is chairman of Cokem International, the largest interactive software distribution company and chairman of Viking Products, a leading consumer products licensing company in the Caribbean. Eibeler is also a director and investor of Loud3r, a search engine startup company and advisor to Endeavor Talent Agency. He also advises/consults with several interactive game companies.

On August 3, 2009, SouthPeak Interactive Corporation (OTCBB: SOPK), one of the fastest growing video game publishers, announced that Paul Eibeler, a videogame industry veteran, has joined its Board of Directors. “His depth of experience will certainly be an asset to SouthPeak growth as a major publisher,” said Terry Phillips, Chairman of SouthPeak .^[11]

Personal life

Eibeler is married to his wife of 30+ years, Mary, and has three children^{[citation needed]}. He currently lives in Long Island and is Vice Chairman of Long Island's Alzheimer's Foundation.^[12]

References