NEOPETS GET REAL MTV ACQUIRES GLENDALE FIRM.Byline: Brent Hopkins Staff Writer GLENDALE - Creating make-believe animals that live in an imaginary world An imaginary world is a setting, place or event or scenario at variance with objective reality, ranging from the voluntary suspension of disbelief of fictional universes and the socially constructed consensus reality of the "Social Imaginary", to alternate realities resulting from proved to be a substantial, real business Monday, when MTV Networks MTV Networks is a division of media conglomerate Viacom that oversees the operation of many TV network and Internet brands, including the first MTV channel. The company was established in 1984 after Warner Communications and American Express decided to divest the basic cable announced that it had purchased Neopets, Inc. The virtual-entertainment company deals in outlandish characters, such as the penguin-like Bruce and a lion/rhinoceros hybrid known as a Tonu. While its online universe, populated by 25 million users worldwide, transacts with money known as neopoints, Monday's deal was closed for a very real amount of dollars, although terms were undisclosed. Created as a hobby six years ago by a pair of British college students, the Neopets empire has expanded to include online entertainment, licensed toys, video games See video game console. , cell-phone content and a movie deal. Under the agreement, Neopets will remain in Glendale with its 120-person staff, operating under MTV MTV in full Music Television U.S. cable television network, established in 1980 to present videos of musicians and singers performing new rock music. MTV won a wide following among rock-music fans worldwide and greatly affected the popular-music business. Networks' Nickelodeon division. ``You can't help but notice success,'' said Jeff Dunn, president of Nickelodeon Film and Enterprises. ``Everything says they've fired up the imagination of the world. Clearly, they're doing something right.'' Since the business formally began in 2000, its creators have translated the Neopian world into 10 languages, bringing in 1 billion non-English page views. Real advertising fills the virtual universe, hawking products ranging from Kraft foods Kraft Foods Inc. (NYSE: KFT) is the largest food and beverage company headquartered in North America and the second largest in the world after Nestlé SA. The Philip Morris Company (now known as Altria Group), a company that produces tobacco products, acquired Kraft for to Walt Disney Noun 1. Walt Disney - United States film maker who pioneered animated cartoons and created such characters as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck; founded Disneyland (1901-1966) Disney, Walter Elias Disney Co. movies. In March, the company announced a deal with Warner Bros BROS Brothers BROS Benefits and Retirement Operations Section (King County, Washington) BROS Barnes and Richmond Operatic Society (London, UK) . to produce a feature film slated for release in the next three years. ``They came out of nowhere and kids love them,'' said Maria Weiskott, editor-in-chief of Playthings Magazine. ``If I ask about it, a kid knows about it right away, which is interesting because it's not like a Bratz doll or a Barbie. It just came off the Internet.'' The network quietly watched its new division's growth over the past two years, then began working out terms to purchase it several months ago. The deal gives Neopets' management team continued creative control over the company, while its new owners will handle areas including brand development, consumer products and distribution. ``They trusted and respected what we've done so far and want to make sure that continues,'' said Doug Dohring Doug Dohring is owner of the Dohring Company, a marketing research firm based in Glendale, California. Some of the websites owned by the Dohring Company include:
Brent Hopkins, (818) 713-3738 brent.hopkins(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1) Adam Powell and Donna Williams, Web site creative directors for Neopets, flank the company logo in its Glendale offices. MTV has purchased the firm. John Lazar/Staff Photographer (2 -- color) no caption (Neopets) (3) no captionn (Neopets) |
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