Business Services Industry
Sony and Omnicom Heavyweights Join IGA Worldwide; Board appointments cement market position following $12 million funding round
Business Wire, April 27, 2006
NEW YORK -- In a move to further drive in-game advertising into the mainstream, former President of Sony Entertainment Europe, Chris Deering and Vice Chairman of Omnicom, Bruce Nelson have joined the board of IGA Worldwide, Inc., the global leader in 360-degree in-game advertising solutions. In February, IGA received a $12 million investment from Easton Capital Group, Morgenthaler Ventures and DN Capital.
With over 25 years experience in the interactive entertainment sector, Deering is recognized as one of the true pioneers of the videogame industry who has helped to shape the sector into a multi-billion dollar business. During his 20 years at Sony he was COO of the International Division of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and thereafter both established and headed the Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) division, where he masterminded the launch of PlayStation 1 and 2 as well as PSP. He became President of Sony Europe, Consumer Electronics Division in 2004 and was subsequently responsible for revenues in excess of $10 billion. Deering has also held senior marketing positions at leading consumer brands Gillette and Atari. In 2004 he received the inaugural Interactive Industry Award from BAFTA for his outstanding contribution to the games industry.
"The in-game advertising sector is growing at a phenomenal rate and it has generated a tremendous buzz that could not be ignored," said Deering. "Having witnessed and enjoyed the growth of the games sector, l knew that in-game advertising would be a space with huge growth potential and the opportunity to lead the gaming industry in an exciting new direction," he added.
Having recently been appointed Vice Chairman at Omnicom, Bruce Nelson brings more than 25 years of experience in senior positions at leading global advertising conglomerates, most recently as Chief Marketing Officer of IPG and prior to that Vice Chairman at Young and Rubicam Inc. and Executive Vice President of McCann Erickson Worldwide.
Among his many achievements at Interpublic Group, Nelson introduced a pioneering business model whereby multiple companies looked after the marketing needs of a single client.
"The fact that we have attracted such major heavyweights to our board from both the videogame and advertising sectors is a great endorsement of both IGA and the in-game advertising industry as a whole," said Justin Townsend, CEO at IGA Worldwide. "Having spent two years perfecting our proprietary Radial technology and infrastructure and building a successful business in Europe, we are now fully engaged with our roll-out into the US and Asia. The combined experience Chris and Bruce bring to the board will build on the significant momentum we've already generated for IGA Worldwide."
About IGA Worldwide, Inc. (www.igaworldwide.com)
IGA Worldwide is the global leader in 360-degree in-game advertising solutions, helping brands to achieve measurable results in the world's fastest growing and most engaging new communications medium. Through its proprietary ad serving network, Radial (R), IGA enables advertisers to dynamically target millions of engaged consumers across a broad range of game platforms, titles and genres, while its wholly-owned communications consultancy, Hive Partners delivers strategic consulting services and exclusive access to unique integrated product placement and co-promotion opportunities.
Headquartered in New York with offices in London and Berlin, the group is backed by Easton Capital Group, Morgenthaler Ventures and DN Capital. IGA has recently been voted by ad industry-leaders as the 'Breakout Company of the Year 2006' and as a 'Top 100 Private Company' in the media and entertainment sector in the OnHollywood awards.
Most Recent Business Articles
- Multiple criteria evaluation and optimization of transportation systems
- Multi-criteria analysis procedure for sustainable mobility evaluation in urban areas
- A two-leveled multi-objective symbiotic evolutionary algorithm for the hub and spoke location problem
- Multi-criteria analysis for evaluating the impacts of intelligent speed adaptation
- The development of Taiwan arterial traffic-adaptive signal control system and its field test: a Taiwan experience
Most Recent Business Publications
Most Popular Business Articles
- 7 tips for effective listening: productive listening does not occur naturally. It requires hard work and practice - Back To Basics - effective listening is a crucial skill for internal auditors
- FAS 109: a primer for non-accountants - Financial Accounting Standards Board's "Statement 109: Accounting for Income Taxes"
- Design a commission plan that drives sales - Sales Commissions
- Too Young to Rent a Car? - 25-years-old the minimum age for car renting - Brief Article
- LIFO vs. FIFO: a return to the basics



