Disney buys Club Penguin

By Melissa Kvidahl -- Playthings, 8/2/2007 8:43:00 AM

BURBANK, Calif—Following the launch of the new Disney.com earlier this year, the Walt Disney Company is expanding its hold on children’s internet properties by acquiring Club Penguin, a Kelowna, Calif.-based online destination for children ages 6–14.

“We have been actively searching for an organization that not only shares our values and concerns for children, but also has the ability and desire to help us bring Club Penguin to more children throughout the world. We’ve found that partner in Disney,” said Lane Merrifield, one of Club Penguin’s three founders, who will become an executive vice president of the Walt Disney Internet Group.

The site features animated penguin avatars that inhabit a snowy virtual world, converse with other users, participate in group activities and create and furnish a virtual home with currency earned in the game. It will retain its URL (www.clubpenguin.com) and its senior management team comprised of founders Merrifield, Dave Krysko and Lane Priebe.

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