DISNEY.COM ADDS CREATIVITY AND SELF-EXPRESSION FEATURES DEVELOPED BY KERPOOF STUDIOS
Cutting-Edge Technology Allows Guests to Interact with
Favorite Characters in New Ways Online
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Feb. 19, 2009 - Disney.com (www.Disney.com), part of the Disney Interactive Media Group (DIMG), today announced it launched new creativity and self-expression features based on technology developed by Kerpoof Studios that allows kids to produce customized content online.
"The innovative approach to online content creation coming out of Kerpoof Studios is a great addition to Disney.com," stated Paul Yanover, executive vice president and managing director, Disney Online. "The new activities we have launched, and the many more that we will be launching in the upcoming months, speak to our mission of creating new and compelling ways to further engage our audience. The development of personalized, interactive entertainment is opening many new opportunities for the Disney brand."
In the first of many future integrations of Kerpoof technology, Disney.com has launched new features on its popular Characters portal (www.Disney.com/Characters). Now, when guests visit pages for characters such as Mickey and Friends, they will be able to create their very own customized pictures using an intuitive graphical interface. Additionally, once fans have created their custom picture they can then choose from various print options including producing a black-and-white coloring page. Online printable content is recognized as one of the top activities for kids under the age of eight.
"We are tremendously excited about this opportunity to bring our creative toolset to Disney.com's broad audience of more than 30 million visitors each month," said Krista Marks, one of Kerpoof's founders and now General Manager of Disney Online Kerpoof Studios. "The Web can provide unique ways for kids to directly interact with their favorite characters and stories, and these new features on Disney.com take that concept to the next level by allowing kids to create their own personal stories and pictures with Mickey Mouse."
(Traffic source: comScore Media Metrix January 2009)
In addition to developing new features for Disney.com, Kerpoof Studios continues to operate Kerpoof.com as a leading online destination for creativity and self-expression, building on its existing loyal following among kids, parents and educators. Ms. Marks credits the recognition and success that Kerpoof.com has received to "its unwavering commitment to changing the way kids interact with computers."
About Disney Online
Disney Online (www.Disney.com), a unit of Disney Interactive Media Group, produces the No. 1 ranked kids' entertainment and family community destination on the World Wide Web. Launched in 1996, Disney.com is the online gateway to all of the company's Disney-branded entertainment initiatives, providing comprehensive access to, and information about Disney movies, travel, television, games, mobile, music, shopping and live events.
In addition, Disney Online develops and publishes a range of online products and services including Pirates of the Caribbean Online, Disney's Toontown Online, Disney Fairies Pixie Hollow, Disney Club Penguin, Playhouse Disney Preschool Time Online, Disney Game Downloads, Disney Game Kingdom Online, Disney Connection and Hot Shot Business.
Disney Interactive Media Group (DIMG) is a unit of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS).
About Kerpoof Studios
Disney Online Kerpoof Studios is based in Boulder, Colorado and focuses on the development of interactive online entertainment. The studio joined Disney Interactive Media Group in July, 2008 through DIMG's acquisition of assets of Kerpoof, LLC, a small interactive media company, assets which allow kids to produce customized content including pictures, movies and interactive stories online at www.kerpoof.com.
Kerpoof.com has received substantial industry praise including an Editor's Choice Award from Children's Technology Review, and a Parent's Choice Foundation's Gold Award. The site was also highlighted by TechCrunch, a leading technology blog, as one of the top new Web site launches of 2007.
# # #
Press Contact:
Brandy Phillips
Disney Interactive Media Group
818-623-3764
Brandy.Phillips@disney.com
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