WDIG Press Release

[PopStar]

I found this very interesting...

August 01, 2007

NEARLY 2.5 MILLION PERSONALIZED FAIRIES CREATED AT DISNEYFAIRIES.COM

Web Site Supports Popular Disney Fairies Franchise; Allows Fans to Create Their Own Virtual Fairy and Explore the Online World of Tinker Bell and her Friends in Pixie Hollow


New York , NY – August 2, 2007 – As testament to the power of the Disney Fairies franchise, visitors to DisneyFairies.com have created nearly 2.5 million personalized Fairies since the site launched in January 2007, Disney Online announced today. The announcement was made in conjunction with the debut of the second Fairies book by author Gail Carson Levine, Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand. Levine’s books and the Web site explore the world of Pixie Hollow, home to Tinker Bell and her friends, and are key elements to the Disney Fairies franchise.

At DisneyFairies.com, fans can explore Pixie Hollow with Tinker Bell, play online games with a variety of other Disney Fairies, read along and listen to chapter audio files from several Fairies books and stories, and create their very own personalized Fairy, complete with the ability to select Fairy wing style, clothing styles and colors, accessories, hair style and more. After creating and naming their Fairy, online guests can then share their Fairy with friends and family via email, communicate with other kids who have made and published fairies on the site, and decorate a room in which their fairy will live.

“The response to DisneyFairies.com, and specifically the Create-a-Fairy feature, has been phenomenal,” stated Paul Yanover, executive vice president and general manager, Disney Online. “The fact that nearly 2.5 million Fairies have been created in just a few months shows the power of word-of-mouth among young girls who really love this franchise.”

Launched only a year ago, the Disney Fairies franchise has already surpassed $800 million in global retail sales. Over 300 Disney Fairies books have been published w orldwide to date --the books are published in 51 countries and in 33 languages and have sold almost 6 million copies around the w orld. Fairy Haven and the Quest f or the Wand is the sequel to the w orldwide best seller Fairy Dust and the Quest f or the Egg, which served as the c ornerstone of the Disney Fairies franchise launch. Additionally, Disney Fairies magazine is currently available in 24 countries in the w orld with plans to launch in 11 additional countries by 2008; over 2.6 million copies of the magazine have sold globally. A wide range of Disney Fairies products have also captured the imagination of girls w orldwide, including award-winning toys, fashion collections and home déc or. Coming soon, a line of personal care, youth electronics, collectibles and stationery will round out the lifestyle offering.

About Disney Online

Disney Online ( www.disney.com), a division of the Walt Disney Internet Group, produces the number one 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. Disney.com also features Disney XD, a highly interactive broadband experience, that lets Disney.com guests create their own customized online channel with games, videos, music, and chat - all of which can be enjoyed simultaneously in an immersive environment.

In addition, Disney Online develops and publishes a range of online products and services including Disney's Toontown Online, Playhouse Disney Preschool Time Online, Disney Game Downloads, Disney Game Kingdom Online, Disney Connection and Hot Shot Business.

# # #

Contact:
Katie Gerber
Walt Disney Internet Group
818-623-3886
Katie.Gerber@dig.com

Check out the last paragraph....and then the date....they must have known for a while know that they were going to close VMK. And didn't someone say the old Yavn left in September? Well this means they knew they were going to close while he was still with VMK....Unless this was the time that they didn't have a Yavn at all...

I also found this, but it doesn't have a date so I don't know how long ago this was posted...

Disney Online (DOL), a division within WDIG, is responsible for developing magical experiences on Disney.com where kids and their parents connect with the Disney brand to play, learn, and explore. Currently, there are 45 Disney branded Web sites around the globe. DOL works closely with all of the strategic business units of TWDC to deploy and integrate world-class Internet sites that expand the distribution channels of each individual business unit, linking them as a whole in a cross-promotional home on the Internet.

In February 2007, WDIG launched a new version of Disney.com. Already the number one online entertainment destination for kids and parents, the new site includes exciting features for Disney fans of all ages. In addition to being the online gateway to all things Disney, the site uses the latest technologies, bringing together community, self-expression, personalization, and a vast array of compelling content to create a truly unique experience online. A key broadband feature of the site is Disney Xtreme Digitalsm, or Disney XD for short, which offers a totally customizable entertainment and social networking experience specifically designed for how kids want to use the Internet.

In March 2007, WDIG also launched the beta version of Disney Family.com (www.family.com), a new site that blends content, search and community elements to provide parents with an easy to use, one-stop "best of the Web" resource of family relevant information on topics ranging from education, food and parenting, to travel, entertainment and shopping. Content includes a diverse range of original and aggregated content from a variety of reliable resources, as well as opinion pieces from parenting bloggers. Users also can search for answers to everyday parenting questions using the site's search tools, including the Disney Family 1,000, a collection of useful sites rated and recommended by parents - from high-profile to hidden gem Web sites. And community features are woven throughout the site, allowing moms to connect with others with shared parenting experiences. Users can create profiles, comment on and rate articles, recommend Web sites, and, starting this summer, contribute to the ParentPedia, a family wiki of parenting topics that combines expert advice with everyday parents' advice to provide practical information for daily life.

WDIG also produces FamilyFun.com (www.familyfun.com), the premier online family resource for creative solutions, Wondertime.com (www.wondertime.com), dedicated to helping parents nurture their children's love of learning, and Movies.com (www.movies.com), a leading site for movie fans that provides a broad array of news, original content and services.

As part of one of the world's leading family entertainment companies, WDIG leverages libraries of online and offline assets to create premium broadband content that truly realizes the promise of online entertainment. WDIG is committed to developing and delivering products for broadband distribution and to working with service providers to help drive demand for broadband services. High-quality, recognizable content can help broadband providers demonstrate the benefits of broadband by providing a comfortable first-look for mass market consumers.

Currently the suite of premium broadband products includes:

ABC News Now — ABC News Now is a 24-hour news and information channel that delivers live breaking news, headlines every half hour and over 25 original news, lifestyle and entertainment programs such as "Politics Live," "What's the Buzz" and "Money Matters." Currently, ABC News Now is available on digital cable as part of Verizon's FiOS expanded basic package, and to over 25 million Internet homes through an ABCNEWS.com subscription, as well as through Comcast.net, SBC Yahoo! DSL, Bell South DSL, and Verizon FiOS customers. ABC News Now provides extensive video on demand programming from all ABC News programs including "Good Morning America," "Nightline," and "World News Tonight." ABC News Now is available across multiple platforms, including cable, satellite, broadband, IPTV, and wireless.
ESPN360 — ESPN360, which relaunched in Jan. 2005 (ESPN Broadband, the precursor to ESPN360, launched in 2001) is available in more than 15 million homes to fans who receive their high-speed Internet access via ESPN affiliated providers. In 2006, the service delivered more than 200 live sporting events - including 2006 FIFA World Cup soccer, college football and basketball, IRL racing, collegiate wrestling and baseball, UEFA Champions league soccer, Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and more. The service also brings sports fans distinctive views of events such as in-car cameras for Indy Car races and driving range practice sessions from the U.S. Open, and features on-demand access to full episodes of popular ESPN programming such as "PTI" (Pardon the Interruption), the World Series of Poker and The Contender. Sports fans also can get extended interviews, expert commentary, award-winning "This is SportsCenter" advertisements, coverage and much more.
Pirates of the Caribbean Online — Pirates of the Caribbean Online (www.piratesonline.com) is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game based on the popular theme park attraction and movie franchise that launched in October 2007. Online players can create their own pirate character and live the life of a pirate alongside Jack Sparrow, Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann.
Playhouse Disney Preschool Time Online — The critically acclaimed Playhouse Disney Preschool Time Online (www.preschooltime.com) is a subscription-based broadband Internet service for preschool-aged children. The service was developed with education experts and features popular characters from Disney Channel's Playhouse Disney programming block, offering fun learning activities in a safe, ad-free and personalized environment.
Disney's Toontown Online — Disney's Toontown Online (www.toontown.com) is the first massively multiplayer online game created specifically for kids and families. In 2004, the first international version of Toontown Online launched in Japan via FLET's provided by NTT East and NTT West, and is now available in France, Mexico, the UK and Southeast Asia, including in Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia.
Disney's Game Kingdom Online — The new Disney's Game Kingdom Online (www.gamekingdom.com) is the "coolest" online destination where kids can create their own amazing world. The subscription-based site offers access to high quality downloadable games and allows subscribers to adopt pets, decorate a house and more.
Disney Connection — Disney Connection, a broadband entertainment portal for families, is available through many of the most significant high speed Internet providers in the U.S. and offers exclusive access to premium content, including television episodes and online games. Additionally, Disney Connection recently launched personalized content offerings for a broad audience, including kids and families. DisneyBB on FLET'S, the first local-market implement of this product, launched in Japan for the 10.8 million users of FLET'S, a high-quality broadband access service provided by NTT East and NTT West. The DisneyBB service includes video, rich graphics and music from many of the different divisions of The Walt Disney Company. This service also is available in Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Argentina and Australia.
DIG Motion — DIG Motion, a proprietary, patent-pending Internet technology that allows high-quality video to be integrated into a Web page is currently used by millions of people each day across Disney.com, ESPN.com, FamilyFun.com and Movies.com. On ESPN.com alone, fans view sports-related videos tens of millions of times each week and monthly usage of video tripled in 2006.
In May 2006, WDIG announced an agreement with Shanda Interactive Entertainment to develop and distribute a Disney-branded online casual game in China. The game is scheduled to be available in 2007.

Just something I thought I should share with all of you.
I don't know if you have this as well, but found it on the site:

Steve Wadsworth
President
Walt Disney Internet Group

Larry Shapiro
Executive Vice President, Business Development and Operations
General Manager, North American Mobile
Walt Disney Internet Group

Bruce Gordon
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Walt Disney Internet Group

Paul Yanover
Executive Vice President and Managing Director
Disney Online

Brad Davis
Senior Vice President
Disney Online Media Sales and Marketing

Lane Merrifield
Executive Vice President (Walt Disney Internet Group) and
General Manager (Club Penguin)

A.D. "Bud" Albers
Chief Technology Officer
Walt Disney Internet Group

Garry Randall
Vice President, Human Resources
Walt Disney Internet Group

And if you want, I can get you Executive Bios about each person above and their pics...

I have some more info, but my post is starting to get a little long, LOL.

 

[PopStar]

Heh, anyone want to get a job in the WDIG? LOL you might save vmk!

https://disney.recruitmax.com/main/careerportal/Job_List.cfm?szSearchType=Advanced

 

[cteddiesgirl]

I've noticed for a while that they stopped mentioning VMK. As I've said before, it's as if someone or someones have wanted it to die for a long time.

They stopped really promoting it a long time ago.

 

[vmkfan13]

I've noticed for a while that they stopped mentioning VMK. As I've said before, it's as if someone or someones have wanted it to die for a long time.

They stopped really promoting it a long time ago.

I don't get it, they think VMK will just die? As we saw already, another vmk "spin off" has already been created, now a game like VMK can't just lose all it's "legacy".

 

[PopStar]

I can just see that sometime in the future, a vmk "spin-off", as you said, would get super popular...and if it was a Pay to Play, Disney would buy it off, just like Club Pengion...how ironic?

 

[poohluv2u]

I guess you can count me among those 2.5 million people who made a fairy at disney online ... but what has that to do with anything. It was just a one time thing, I never went back to it, and certainly wouldn't consider it a game. If Disney is thinking that all of those millions of people will now sign up to pay to play it, they are in for a rude awakening!

 

[ElectricLime]

Heh, anyone want to get a job in the WDIG? LOL you might save vmk!

I have tried three times over the past couple of years to get a web developer job with WDIG.

The first time, they told me "we really like you, but we'd like you to take an online test first to prove how well you know JavaScript." So I took the test. "You scored much better than any of the other applicants," they told me, "but sorry, there's a hiring freeze now, we can't hire you."

The second time, they told me "we really like you, but we want you to fill out a questionnaire first to prove how well you know web development." So I filled out the questionnaire - it was so technical that it was like taking a college exam, and it took me a few hours to get through it. As soon as I submitted it I got a reply saying "sorry, that position is on hold."

The third time, they told me "we really like you, but we want you to take an online test first to show how much you know about accessibility." So I took the test, which was oddly focused on court cases where people sued companies because their web sites weren't easily usable by the blind. "You scored much better than any of the other applicants," they told me, "but we've decided not to ask you in for an interview, because we feel you don't know enough about web development."

It was at this time that I gave up.

Since then, every few months, I keep getting recruiters calling me about open job opportunities doing web development with WDIG. I know better than to apply.

 

[VMK_Mouse]

As much as I hate to say it, I feel like at this point that VMK will be closed and there is no way to save this game.

 

[PopStar]

I have tried three times over the past couple of years to get a web developer job with WDIG.

The first time, they told me "we really like you, but we'd like you to take an online test first to prove how well you know JavaScript." So I took the test. "You scored much better than any of the other applicants," they told me, "but sorry, there's a hiring freeze now, we can't hire you."

The second time, they told me "we really like you, but we want you to fill out a questionnaire first to prove how well you know web development." So I filled out the questionnaire - it was so technical that it was like taking a college exam, and it took me a few hours to get through it. As soon as I submitted it I got a reply saying "sorry, that position is on hold."

The third time, they told me "we really like you, but we want you to take an online test first to show how much you know about accessibility." So I took the test, which was oddly focused on court cases where people sued companies because their web sites weren't easily usable by the blind. "You scored much better than any of the other applicants," they told me, "but we've decided not to ask you in for an interview, because we feel you don't know enough about web development."

It was at this time that I gave up.

Since then, every few months, I keep getting recruiters calling me about open job opportunities doing web development with WDIG. I know better than to apply.

Wow! It seems you'd be great for the job! I hope you don't give up though, things happen, especially with a large business like Disney. Good Luck!

 

[gshawen]

They can close VMK if they want, but I refuse to become a Fairy.

 

[cdog12]

I have tried three times over the past couple of years to get a web developer job with WDIG.

The first time, they told me "we really like you, but we'd like you to take an online test first to prove how well you know JavaScript." So I took the test. "You scored much better than any of the other applicants," they told me, "but sorry, there's a hiring freeze now, we can't hire you."

The second time, they told me "we really like you, but we want you to fill out a questionnaire first to prove how well you know web development." So I filled out the questionnaire - it was so technical that it was like taking a college exam, and it took me a few hours to get through it. As soon as I submitted it I got a reply saying "sorry, that position is on hold."

The third time, they told me "we really like you, but we want you to take an online test first to show how much you know about accessibility." So I took the test, which was oddly focused on court cases where people sued companies because their web sites weren't easily usable by the blind. "You scored much better than any of the other applicants," they told me, "but we've decided not to ask you in for an interview, because we feel you don't know enough about web development."

It was at this time that I gave up.

Since then, every few months, I keep getting recruiters calling me about open job opportunities doing web development with WDIG. I know better than to apply.

yo if they want you do itr! even if they change their mind they did the same thing with yavn now look at him

 

[Mintz]

Maybe if they mentioned VMK in that article, people who didn't know about it would know that it existed. A little more advertising and marketing and people would sign up. Not just on cereal boxes and stuff but you know the bigger picture. Then maybe it would be as big as some other games are.
Hopefully if it gets saved then they should find better ways to attract people to the site.

 

[Imagineer_Tech]

yo if they want you do itr! even if they change their mind they did the same thing with yavn now look at him

Yavn is a game designer for Disney. He wasn't put through that. He was in game design not Internet like what WDIG is.

 

[Tampa]

Wow. I can't wait to never play an online disney game again.

 

[anya.sparrow]

They can close VMK if they want, but I refuse to become a Fairy.

 

[monsterkitty]

They can close VMK if they want, but I refuse to become a Fairy.

Careful now, you don't want to upset the Tag Fairy!

 

[cteddiesgirl]

Maybe if they mentioned VMK in that article, people who didn't know about it would know that it existed. A little more advertising and marketing and people would sign up. Not just on cereal boxes and stuff but you know the bigger picture. Then maybe it would be as big as some other games are.
Hopefully if it gets saved then they should find better ways to attract people to the site.

They have ways of promoting games when they want to. I just seen an add for Toontown on TV yesterday morning.

 

[Chedstro]

Their posting a "Toot Our Own Horn" about the silly Fairies game is such a slap in the face to those of us who just went in to create a Fairy to see what it was like!

I am not planning on going back - no fun in just hanging in your room with no contact with other players!

Wonder if they will report a "drop out Fairy" rate - I doubt it. Arg!

 

[JulyGirl]

VMK as we know it will be gone. Our only hope is that Disney hears our protests and decides to create another VMK-like game. Right now, there is no other game Disney is offering that has the VMK experience. We have shown that there is a market for it.

 

[BlueSneakerGal]

Yeah, count me as one of those who created a fairy and said no thanks.