• June 9, 2008

The Walt Disney Company will merge its Walt Disney Internet Group mobile and online gaming division with its Interactive Studios unit to create the Disney Interactive Media Group, according to Developer, a trade site for game developers.

The report cited a leaked memo from Disney CEO Robert Iger, saying the cross-platform initiative will "take advantage of rapid advancements in interactive digital media across all platforms as well as the convergence of connected console, Internet and mobile-based games."

Steve Wadsworth, former head of Walt Disney Internet Group, would lead the new combined unit, overseeing "development and distribution of all Disney-branded interactive digital media and entertainment for all digital interactive platforms."

The move reflects efforts by major media companies to better align their digital operations, especially as Internet and mobile efforts increasingly overlap.

--Mark Walsh