Disney's Iger Touts Technology & Website Redesign at CES
The Walt Disney Co. president/ceo Bob Iger unveiled his company's newly redesigned and enhanced Disney.com website, which will launch later this month, in his keynote address to the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
He told the assembly that Disney is committed to working with consumer electronics as it builds on its tradition of using the newest technology to create high-quality content.
"We are witnessing an explosion of media and Disney is both reaping the benefits of that explosion and acting as a catalyst by taking a technology-friendly approach," said Iger, noting that Disney was the first to offer movies and TV shows for download on iTunes last year.
"Our history of bringing our storytelling and our roster of characters to the frontiers of technology is unrivalled," he continued. "Since the day Mickey dared to speak in a `talkie,' Disney has boldly taken its content to the cutting edge. Wherever the path of unfolding technologies and imaginative new platforms may lead, Disney will be there.
Disney.com offers personalization and community building amidst a broad array of Disney entertainment, products and services.
"No other media company has the breadth of quality family entertainment that can be brought together to create such an exciting online experience," Iger said. "Disney.com is the digital doorway into Disney and both a destination and a portal into a vibrant, rich online entertainment experience for children, parents and people genuinely interested in Disney."
Iger brought some of the stars and talent representing that content, including producer Jerry Bruckheimer and LOST stars Matthew Fox and Evangeline Lilly.
Already a number-one ranked site among kids and families with 24.8 million unique monthly visitors (comScore MediaMetrix: November 2006), Disney.com aims to continue its industry leadership when the new site launches with its new navigational tools and a prevalent video player.
Disney Xtreme Digital (Disney XD), the broadband centerpiece of the new site, will allow guests to personalize their favorite Disney content as well as watch and share with others videos, including television shows and shorts; chat with friends, listen to music; create playlists; and enjoy an array of games. Disney.com guests will also be able to access premium content through Disney XD, such as the upcoming PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN ONLINE massively multiplayer game, which is set to launch in 2007.
The Walt Disney Co., together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with four business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment and consumer products. Disney is a Dow 30 company and had annual revenues of more than $34 billion in its most recent fiscal year and a market capitalization of $70.7 billion as of Jan. 5, 2007.