Disney increases focus on virtual worlds

February 20, 2008 The new group, Disney Online Studios, will include several of Disney Online's teams, including the creators of Disney.com XD and the company's virtual-reality studio that was responsible for Disney's Toontown Online and Pirates of the Caribbean Online. Steve Parkis has been promoted to senior vp to lead the new group and will report to Paul Yanover, executive vp and managing director of Disney Online. Yanover described the move as formalizing the efforts Disney Online has made in the virtual world space, including the acquisition of leading children's virtual world Club Penguin in the summer and the launch of Pirates Online.

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