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DISNEY TO END U.S.-BASED MVNO OPERATIONS; EXPLORE NEW BUSINESS MODEL FOR POPULAR FAMILY CENTRIC SUITE OF SERVICES AND CONTENT FOR MOBILE
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Sept. 27, 2007 – The Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG), which has received both critical and
customer acclaim for its Disney-branded mobile phone offering, will cease operations
of its U.S.-based mobile virtual network (MVNO) phone service later this year
and will instead explore a new business model for its content and services
that might include offering its popular Family Center product through a partnership
with a major U.S. carrier. The Family Center suite allows users the ability
to display the location of a child’s handset on a map, to limit when
and how the child’s phone is used, and to set limits on expenditures
in terms of voice and data.
“It’s been clear since we launched the MVNO that we were offering
something both unique and useful for families that wanted to provide their
kids with a mobile phone with suitable content and features while retaining
a measure of control on how and when it would be used,” said Steve Wadsworth,
president of the Walt Disney Internet Group. “Our feedback from customers
and critics from the beginning has been that we exceeded the mark in that respect.
However, the MVNO model has proven, as we’ve seen with other companies
this past year, to be a difficult proposition in the hyper-competitive U.S.
mobile phone market. In assessing our business model, we decided that changing
strategies was a better alternative to pursue profitable growth in the mobile
services area.”
WDIG, a worldwide leader in the mobile content business, is exploring opportunities
with major U.S. carriers with regard to a new business model for the Family
Center features.
Current Disney MVNO customers will continue to receive service and support
until Dec. 31, 2007. Customers who have questions should see www.DisneyMobile.com or
call Guest Services at 1-866-DISNEY2 for more information.
Disney will offer a reimbursement program for eligible customers. Additional
details surrounding the reimbursement program will be available on the aforementioned
Web site no later than Oct. 8, 2007.
About the Walt Disney Internet Group
The Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) offers a compelling
mix of interactive entertainment and informational content and services for
Internet and mobile devices for audiences around the world. WDIG is both a
developer of unique new media experiences specifically designed for Internet
and mobile media and a developer of new platforms for distributing content
selected from broad, existing entertainment divisions and libraries of The
Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS). With a portfolio of products and services
designed with quality and guest safety in mind, WDIG’s integration of Disney’s unmatched breadth
of content with a best-practices approach to Internet and mobile technology
drives multiple revenue streams from premium content offerings, advertising
and ecommerce. WDIG’s suite of properties includes Disney.com, Family.com,
Movies.com and mDisney mobile entertainment. WDIG is an industry leader in
online virtual worlds for kids and families, with offerings including Club
Penguin, Disney’s Toontown Online and the upcoming Pirates of
the Caribbean Online and Disney Fairies. WDIG, which is headquartered
in North Hollywood, Calif., has operations in Asia-Pacific, Europe and across
the Americas.
Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of our views and assumptions
regarding future events and business performance as of the time the statements
are made and we do not undertake any obligation to update these statements. Actual
events may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such differences
may result from actions taken by the Company, as well as from developments beyond
the Company’s control, including international, political, health concern
and military developments and changes in domestic and global economic conditions
that may affect retail businesses generally. Additional factors are set forth
in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September
30, 2006 and in subsequent reports on Form 10-Q under Item 1A “Risk Factors.”
CONTACTS:
Zenia Mucha 818-560-5300
John W. Spelich 818.623.3266 john.spelich@disney.com
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