Courtney Simmons appointment
Former SOE lass joins Disney as VP of communications.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BURBANK, Calif., April 28, 2009 -- Courtney Simmons has joined Disney Interactive Media Group (DIMG) as vice president of communications. Ms. Simmons will be based in North Hollywood, CA and will manage all communications for Disney Interactive Media Group, which is responsible for the creation and delivery of Disney branded interactive entertainment content across multiple online, mobile and video game platforms on a worldwide basis for The Walt Disney Company. She will report to DIMG President Steve Wadsworth and Zenia Mucha, executive vice president, corporate communications, The Walt Disney Company.
In her new role Ms. Simmons will oversee corporate communications, media relations and publicity activities for all DIMG business groups including Disney Interactive Studios, Disney Online, Disney Mobile Japan and Disney Technology Shared Services. These areas of The Walt Disney Company produce blockbuster digital products including Disney.com, the No. 1 ranked community-family and parenting online destination, the Disney Online Family Network of Web sites for moms including Family.com, the popular virtual worlds of Club Penguin, Disney’s Toontown Online and Disney Fairies Pixie Hollow, as well as a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games from five internal game development studios.
DIMG also develops new online technologies and distribution platforms and operates the online technical backbone and infrastructure that power the Web presence of The Walt Disney Company including category leaders ESPN.com, ABC.com, and ABCNEWS.com.
“Courtney brings two decades of proven public relations and strategic corporate communications experience to Disney Interactive Media Group. Her vast knowledge of the online video game space, coupled with her understanding of this evolving marketplace makes her a perfect fit for our organization,” said Mr. Wadsworth.
“Courtney’s wide-ranging background in strategic communications, as well as her experience in the online and gaming worlds makes her an important asset to our team,” said Zenia Mucha. “We’re pleased to welcome her to Disney at an exciting and dynamic time for our Interactive Media Group.”
Prior to joining Disney Ms. Simmons served as the executive director, corporate communications and public relations for Sony Online Entertainment (SOE), the interactive entertainment company responsible for blockbuster massively multiplayer titles including EverQuest. While there she also handled strategy and execution of all corporate communication programs for the executive team as well as product publicity. Additionally Ms. Simmons worked closely with her counterparts at Sony Computer Entertainment America, Europe and Japan to maximize corporate communications initiatives on a worldwide basis. During her time at Sony she oversaw dozens of product launches and the communications surrounding a worldwide restructuring and ownership change for the company.
Before SOE she ran government affairs and media relations for LEGO at the LEGOLAND California theme park in Carlsbad, CA. Ms. Simmons also served as the head of public relations for The Six Flags Theme Park where she led strategic communications and publicity efforts for the Los Angeles-based park.
About Disney Interactive Media Group
Disney Interactive Media Group (DIMG) is a segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) responsible for the creation and delivery of Disney branded interactive entertainment and informational content across multiple platforms including online, mobile and video game consoles around the globe. DIMG core businesses include Disney Interactive Studios, which self publishes and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games, mobile games and interactive entertainment worldwide; and Disney Online, which produces the No. 1 Community-Family & Parenting Web site and an industry-leading suite of online virtual worlds for kids and families. DIMG also develops new online technologies and distribution platforms and operates the online technical backbone and infrastructure that power the Web presence of The Walt Disney Company.
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