[MickeysGirl]

Games Industry Veterans Join Buena Vista Games Europe as Director of European Production, Director of European Marketing and Executive Producer BURBANK, Calif. and LONDON, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Buena Vista Games,Inc. (BVG), the interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Company(NYSE: DIS), today announced the hiring of three key executives for thecompany's European operation. Games industry veterans Ed Bainbridge, SeanRatcliffe and Michael Jacob have been named Director of European Production,Director of European Marketing and Executive Producer, respectively. "Attracting experienced high-caliber talent is the most critical elementin building Buena Vista Games' operation in Europe," said Graham Hopper,senior vice president and general manager, Buena Vista Games. "Ed, Sean andMike bring a wealth of games industry experience to the company, and will playa leading role in our continued growth." Formerly Head of European Production at Eidos Interactive, Ed Bainbridgeis tasked with creating and leading a new product development and productionteam for Buena Vista Games Europe that will be based in the company's Londonoffice and will report to Michael Ryder, Buena Vista Games' Vice President ofWorldwide Production. While at Eidos, Bainbridge worked on the Hitman,Commandos and Championship Manager franchises. Bainbridge has also held keypositions at Sega of Europe and at Activision. "Buena Vista Games is ambitiously looking to expand its presenceworldwide," said Bainbridge. "The appeal of Disney's brands and intellectualproperties are proven, and there is a wealth of opportunity for Buena VistaGames in the European marketplace. From the current European production of'The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' to thecompany's ongoing commitment to the kids and family markets, BVG Europe is ina great position to provide entertainment to a broad target of new consumersand Disney fans." Sean Ratcliffe will take on the role of Director of Marketing at BVGEurope, and will be responsible for creating world class marketing campaignsto support the company's upcoming, high profile product launches. He willreport to BVG's Thierry Braille, Vice President and Managing Director ofEurope, Middle East and Africa. Ratcliffe was previously Global BrandDirector at LEGO Interactive and spent eight years with Electronic Arts as theEA Sports Marketing Director for Europe. While at EA, Ratcliffe also held theposition of Worldwide Franchise Director for the initial Harry Potter gameslaunch. "It's an incredibly exciting time to be joining BVG Europe," saidRatcliffe. "The company is the market leader in kids' games, has a strongpresence in the handheld market, and over the next eighteen months will launcha number of new titles that will help grow the company's position in a varietyof categories. In addition, we have some major movie properties that willhelp expand our reach even further." Formerly Executive Producer for Vivendi Universal Games Publishing'sSierra Entertainment business unit, Michael Jacob brings over ten years ofgames development and production experience to his new Executive Producerposition at BVG Europe. Reporting to Ed Bainbridge, Jacob is based in Londonand is leading the development of the multiplatform video games for "TheChronicles of Narnia" franchise. During his tenure at Vivendi UniversalGames, Jacob managed game franchises including Tribes(TM) Vengeance (PC),F.E.A.R.(TM) (PC), Metal Arms: Glitch in the System(TM) (Xbox, PS2, and GC)and PGA Championship Golf(TM) (PC) product line. Prior to Vivendi Universal,Jacob worked as a producer at the Northern California-based games company,Mindscape. About Buena Vista Games Buena Vista Games, Inc. is the interactive entertainment arm of The WaltDisney Company's Consumer Products business unit. The division publishes,markets and distributes a broad portfolio of PC and multi-platform video gamesworldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly withthird-party interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages tomarket. Titles for Buena Vista Games fall under two publishing labels: BuenaVista Interactive, which publishes high-profile, multi-platform games based oncreative content from the numerous businesses within The Walt Disney Companyas well as new intellectual properties, and Disney Interactive, whichpublishes the company's interactive entertainment based on Disney brandedproperties. MEDIA CONTACT: Angela Emery Buena Vista Games, Inc. 818-553-3923</PRE><ADDRESS class=text>SOURCE Buena Vista Games, Inc.
</ADDRESS><ADDRESS class=text>Source: PRNewswire.com</ADDRESS><!-- #EndEditable -->

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