WPP Makes Strategic Investment in WildTangent, the Leading Online Game Publisher; Communications Group Recognizes the Importance of Immersive in-and-around Game Advertising for Traditional Marketing Campaigns.NEW YORK & REDMOND, Wash. -- WildTangent, the leading Online Game Publisher today announces a new strategic investment from WPP WPP Wire & Plastic Product PLC WPP World Press Photo WPP Web Presence Provider WPP Wolf Pack Productions (anime fan subbing group) WPP Witness Protection Program WPP Wireless Packet Platform WPP Work Package Planning (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on : WPPGY) one of the world's leading communications services groups. The investment by WPP recognizes the development of online video games as an increasingly important communications platform for marketers, and the leading role that in-and-around video game advertising pioneer WildTangent plays in this emerging medium. WPP's investment in WildTangent will enhance its global client roster's ability to tap into the WildTangent Game Network (WGN WGN Wellington WGN White Gaussian Noise WGN World's Greatest Newspaper (Chicago, IL, USA) WGN World Gastroenterology News WGN We Got Nomar WGN World's Greatest Network WGN Wireless Network Gateway WGN Wagon ), a video game advertising network that includes hundreds of popular online and downloadable games from WildTangent's own studios in addition to titles from top publishers like Nickelodeon, The Walt Disney Internet Group The Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) oversees several websites owned by The Walt Disney Company and its subsidiaries. [1] The division's Disney Online unit operates disney. , and other leading online game developers. In the past year, WildTangent has successfully worked with WPP agencies on gaming initiatives with key clients such as Novartis and Unilever. Going forward the two companies also plan to collaborate on market development initiatives aimed at creating research driven standards for advertising in and around games. "Our clients are increasingly looking for ways to reach their customers online, particularly the harder to reach young adult demographic, and in-game advertising is of growing interest. WildTangent's strong track record in game distribution and advertising makes them an attractive partner for us and for our clients," said Mark Read, Director of Strategy and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of WPP.com. "We've been delivering leading edge online game campaigns for the biggest brands for several years and we're pleased to be recognized for our leadership in this space by WPP," said Alex St. John Alex St. John, along with Craig Eisler and Eric Engstrom, created the original Microsoft DirectX specification. Alex also become something of an evangelist for the technology through magazine articles (notably boot) and interviews on the newly created web. , CEO and Co-Founder of WildTangent. "We've had a great relationship with WPP and their agencies over the years and we're very excited to establish a partnership to dramatically grow the in-game advertising business together." Granite Global Ventures (GGV GGV GNOME GhostView ) led the expansion round, which included existing investors Advanced Technology Ventures, Greylock, Madronna, Millenium Technology and IDG IDG International Data Group IDG Integrated Drive Generator IDG Installation Design Guide IDG Internet Discussion Group IDG Inset Dielectric Guide IDG International Dangerous Goods (mail, shipping) . GGV has investments in gaming hardware company AGEIA AGEIA America Germany Egypt India America , mobile game publisher Glu Mobile and XFire, an instant messenger application for gamers, recently purchased by MTV Networks, a division of Viacom (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : VIA.B). WildTangent publishes its games through a virtual console that is bundled with over 85% of all consumer PCs, or over 25 million PC's sold annually, in North America alone. About WPP WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY) is one of the world's leading communications services groups, providing national, multinational and global clients with advertising; media investment management; information, insight & consultancy; public relations & public affairs; branding & identity, healthcare and specialist communications. Our worldwide companies include JWT JWT J. Walter Thompson (agency) JWT Java Windows Terminal JWT Just War Theory JWT Jim Wolf Technology JWT Java Workflow Tooling JWT John Wayne Trail (US Army Yakima Training Center) JWT Justified War Theory , Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide, Y&R, The Voluntarily United Group, Grey Worldwide, MindShare, MediaCom, Mediaedge:cia, Millward Brown, Research International, KMR KMR Kitten Milk Replacement KMR Kwajalein Missile Range (US Army; now Reagan Test Site) KMR Koninklijke Marine Reserve (Dutch) KMR Knowledge Management for Remedy (KMXperts) Group, OgilvyOne Worldwide, Wunderman, 141 Worldwide, Hill & Knowlton, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, Burson-Marsteller, Cohn & Wolfe, CommonHealth, Sudler & Hennessey, Ogilvy Healthworld, Enterprise IG, Landor and Fitch among others. Our companies provide communications services to clients worldwide including more than 330 of the Fortune Global 500; over one-half of the NASDAQ 100 and over 30 of the Fortune e-50. Collectively, WPP employs more than 92,000 people in 2,000 offices in 106 countries. For further information, visit www.wpp.com About WildTangent, Inc. Founded in 1998, WildTangent is the leading publisher of online and downloadable games. WildTangent is the pioneer of in-game and around-game advertising solutions. The company publishes over 250 leading 1st and 3rd party game titles through a distribution network, that includes the WildTangent games network, Wildgames.com, leading PC Manufacturers, ISPs, and portals. From family friendly games like the Polar franchise to action adventure titles such as Fate, WildTangent provides online entertainment which appeals to a broad range of consumers. In 2005 WildTangent won major OEM distribution deals that ship The WildTangent games console directly on the desktops of leading PC manufactures, including Dell, HP and Toshiba, representing over 85% of consumer PCs in North America. Publishing Partners www.disneygamedownloads.com http://www.nick.com/games |
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