{{Short description|Interactive subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2016}} {{Distinguish|text=[[Disney Interactive Studios]], a defunct video game developer and publisher once known as "Disney Interactive"}} {{Infobox company | name = Disney Interactive | logo = Disney Interactive Logo.svg | logo_class = logo-nobg | image = 1200grandcentralave.jpg | image_caption = Headquarters in Glendale, California | trade_name = Disney Interactive | former_names = Disney Interactive Media Group (2008–2012) | type = [[Subsidiary]] | industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]], [[Internet]] | predecessors = {{ubl|[[Disney Interactive Studios]]|[[Walt Disney Internet Group]]}} | successor = [[Disney Consumer Products]] (as a segment) | founded = {{start date and age|1995}} | hq_location = [[Grand Central Airport (California)|Grand Central Creative Campus]] | hq_location_city = [[Glendale, California|Glendale]], [[California]] | hq_location_country = U.S. | num_locations = 12 | revenue = {{US$|982 million|link= yes}} | net_income = {{US$|-308 million}} | net_income_year = 2011 | owner = | num_employees = 2,000 | num_employees_year = March 2014 | parent = [[Disney Consumer Products]] | divisions = {{ubl|Disney Electronic Content|[[Disney Mobile]]|[[Marvel Games]]|[[#Disney Online|Disney Online]]}} | subsid = | footnotes = <ref name=bw/><ref name=DOybiz/><ref name=ksn/><ref name=NYT0/> }}
'''Disney Interactive''' is an American video game and internet company that oversees various websites and interactive media owned by [[the Walt Disney Company]].<ref name=bw>{{cite web|title=Company Overview of Disney Interactive |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/0117270D:US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221131939/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=171889|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 21, 2009|work=Private Company Information|publisher=business Week|access-date=October 17, 2012}}</ref>
==History== ===1995–1996: Formation and beginnings=== In December 1994, [[Disney]] announced that it was establishing a new division dedicated to publishing computer and [[video game console]] software, called Disney Interactive.<ref name="GPro68">{{cite magazine|title=Disney Rides Solo|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=68 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=March 1995|page=154}}</ref> The initial staff consisted of 200 newly hired employees.<ref name="GPro68"/> The company was formally established in mid-1995.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Disney Enters Video Game Market!|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=74|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=September 1995|page=56}}</ref> On August 23, 1995, Disney Interactive formed Disney Online.<ref name=tfl>{{cite web|title=WINEBAUM NAMED PRESIDENT OF NEW DISNEY ONLINE UNIT|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/WINEBAUM+NAMED+PRESIDENT+OF+NEW+DISNEY+ONLINE+UNIT-a017219841|work=PR Newswire|publisher=Disney|access-date=December 20, 2012|archive-date=October 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024025556/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/WINEBAUM+NAMED+PRESIDENT+OF+NEW+DISNEY+ONLINE+UNIT-a017219841|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===1997–2007: Buena Vista Internet Group=== Disney purchased a one-third share of [[Starwave]] on April 3, 1997, for $100 million.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1997.htm|title=Volume 146, Number 50752.|newspaper=New York Times|date=April 4, 1997|page=C4}}</ref> In January 1998, Disney registered [[go.com]].<ref name="Polsson">{{cite web|last=Polsson|first=Ken|title=1998|url=http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1998.htm|work=Chronology of the Walt Disney Company|publisher=kpolsson.com|access-date=December 7, 2012}}</ref> Exercising its options, Disney purchased the outstanding shares of Starwave from [[Paul Allen]] in April 1998.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pelline|first=Jeff|title=Disney to buy Starwave|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/disney-to-buy-starwave/|access-date=November 7, 2021|newspaper=CNET|date=April 30, 1998|author2=Dawn Kawamoto}}</ref> In June 1998, Disney purchased 43% ownership of [[Infoseek]] in exchange for Starwave and $70 million.<ref>{{cite web |title=Disney Buys Infoseek Stake |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/disney-buys-infoseek-stake-160139 |website=NextTV |access-date=November 7, 2021 |date=June 22, 1998}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Tedesco|first=Richard|title=Disney stakes big 'Net claim with Infoseek|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-20849942.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106074910/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-20849942.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2013|access-date=November 30, 2012|newspaper=Broadcasting & Cable|date=June 22, 1998}}</ref> Infoseek and Disney Online joint ventured in developing the [[Go.com|Go Network]], an internet portal.<ref>{{cite news|last=Tedesco|first=Richard|title=Disney, Infoseek give green light|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-53419086.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531021651/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-53419086.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 31, 2013|access-date=November 30, 2012|newspaper=Broadcasting & Cable|date=December 14, 1998}}</ref> With Disney's purchase of the remainder of Infoseek in July 1999, the Go Network, Infoseek, the Disney Catalog, Disney Online (Disney.com and DisneyStore.com), ABC News Internet Ventures and ESPN Internet Ventures and Buena Vista Internet Group are merged into the Go.com company.<ref>{{cite news|title=Disney absorbs Infoseek|url=https://money.cnn.com/1999/07/12/deals/disney/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011117190319/http://money.cnn.com/1999/07/12/deals/disney/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 17, 2001|access-date=December 7, 2012|newspaper=Money|date=July 12, 1999|agency=CNNfn}}</ref>
In August 1996, BVIG took a controlling in interest in toysmart.com with three directors on the board. Toysmart would be granted marketing support including free advertising on BVIG websites like family.com.<ref>Gelsi, Steve. (August 25, 1999). [http://www.marketwatch.com/story/disney-plays-with-toysmartcom Disney plays with Toysmart.com]. Marketwatch.com.</ref> After an attempted round of financing, Toysmart.com shut down in May 2000.<ref>DeMott, Rick. (May 26, 2000). [https://www.awn.com/news/disneys-toysmart-newest-site-go-offline Disney's Toysmart Newest Site To Go Offline]. Animation World Network.</ref>
In June 1999, the Disney Internet Guide was abandoned.<ref>(April 2000). [http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1999.htm Premiere]. Volume 13, Number 8. Accessed April 18, 2016.</ref> The [[Go.com]] portal was shut down in 2001 at a cost of $878 million in charges.<ref name=nyt>{{cite news|last=Barnes|first=Brooks|title=Disney, Struggling to Find Its Digital Footing, Overhauls Disney.com|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/22/business/media/disney-struggling-to-find-its-digital-footing-overhauls-disneycom.html?_r=0|access-date=October 23, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 21, 2012}}</ref>
In 2004, Disney re-activated the Starwave identity as Starwave Mobile, which publishes casual games for mobile phones for non-Disney brands with in Disney conglomerate or from third party.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Disney Group To Offer Third-Party Mobile Content|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-124152248.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106001524/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-124152248.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2013|access-date=December 13, 2012|newspaper=The Online Reporter|date=October 30, 2004}}</ref>
It acquired Living Mobile, a German mobile game developer and publisher in November 2005.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.dw.com/en/walt-disney-buys-germanys-living-mobile/a-1770289 | title=Walt Disney Buys Germany's Living Mobile | work=[[Deutsche Welle]] | date=November 8, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/walt-disney-internet-group-acquires-living-mobile | title=Walt Disney Internet Group acquires Living Mobile | work=[[Gamer Network]] | date=November 8, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.vaildaily.com/news/walt-disney-buys-germanys-living-mobile-as-part-of-plans-to-expand-in-mobile-games-market/ | title=Walt Disney buys Germany's Living Mobile as part of plans to expand in mobile games market | agency=[[Associated Press]] | work=[[Vail Daily]] | date=November 7, 2005}}</ref>
It acquired Enorbus Technologies in 2007 for around $20 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbinsights.com/company/enorbus | title=Enorbus | work=[[CB Insights]]}}</ref>
===2008–2012: Disney Interactive Media Group=== On June 5, 2008, [[Disney Interactive Studios]] and the Walt Disney Internet Group merged into a single business unit, now known as the Disney Interactive Media Group (DIMG).<ref name=jsq>[http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/05/disneys-games-and-internet-divisions-merging/ "Disney's games and internet divisions merging"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080606130157/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/05/disneys-games-and-internet-divisions-merging/ |date=June 6, 2008 }}, [[Joystiq]].com, 2008.</ref> In 2009, DIMG's Disney Online unit purchased multiple websites from Kaboose.<ref name=tc>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2009/04/01/disney-online-buys-kaboose-assets-for-184-million/ |title=Disney Online Buys Kaboose Assets For $18.4 Million, Barclays Private Equity Limited Acquires Its UK Operations |publisher=TechCrunch.com |date=April 1, 2009 |access-date=October 10, 2012}}</ref>
In July 2010, Disney Interactive purchased [[Playdom]] for $563.2 million<ref name=lat2>{{cite news|last=Chmielewski|first=Dawn C.|title=Disney to buy Playdom Inc. for $563.2 million|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-jul-28-la-fi-ct-playdom-20100728-story.html|access-date=October 17, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=July 28, 2010}}</ref> and [[Tapulous]] for its [[Mobile phone|mobile]] division.<ref name=ksn>{{cite news|last=Goldman Getzler|first=Wendy|title=Disney Mobile raises the bar|url=https://kidscreen.com/2012/02/01/disney-mobile-raises-the-bar/|access-date=October 23, 2012|newspaper=kidscreen.com|date=February 1, 2012}}</ref><ref>[https://techcrunch.com/2010/07/01/tapulous-acquired-by-disney/ "Disney acquires Tapulous"] from [[Techcrunch.com]]</ref> In October 2010, two co-presidents were named for DIMG, John Pleasants and James Pitaro, with orders to make the company profitable.<ref name=lat1>{{cite news|last=Chmielewski|first=Dawn C.|title=Disney Interactive lays off 200 as video game unit shifts focus|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2011-jan-26-la-fi-ct-disney-interactive-20110126-story.html|access-date=October 17, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=January 26, 2011}}</ref>
In January 2011, DIMG closed [[Propaganda Games]] and laid off 200 employees later in the month.<ref name="lat1" /> The dual presidents placed the game studios of Blackrock, Junction Point, Avalanche, Wideload and Gamestar under game development chief Alex Seropian while ''[[Club Penguin]]'' co-creator [[Lane Merrifield]] was assigned to games for kids and families within a new publishing unit to handle marketing and production.<ref name=lat1/> On February 18, DIMG purchased [[Togetherville]], a pre-teen social network.<ref>{{cite news|last=Chmielewski|first=Dawn C.|title=Disney buys social networking site Togetherville|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2011-feb-25-la-fi-ct-disney-togetherville-20110225-story.html|access-date=October 17, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=February 25, 2011}}</ref> Also in February, DIMG purchased [[Finland]]-based Rocket Pack, a game development company with a plugin free game development system.<ref name=tc0>{{cite news|last=Butcher|first=Mike|title=Disney acquires gaming engine startup to build HTML5 games outside of App stores|url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/03/03/disney-acquires-gaming-engine-startup-to-build-html5-games-outside-of-app-stores/|access-date=October 17, 2012|newspaper=TechCrunch.com|date=March 3, 2011}}</ref> In November, DIMG purchased Babble Media Inc.<ref name=lat>{{cite news|title=Disney buys parenting website Babble|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2011-nov-15-la-fi-ct-disney-babble-20111115-story.html|access-date=October 17, 2012|date=November 15, 2011|work=Los Angeles Times|first=Dawn C.|last=Chmielewski}}</ref>
In October 2011, it acquired [[Indiagames]] for between $80 million and $100 million.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.techinasia.com/disney-indiagames-acquisition | title=Walt Disney Reportedly Acquires Indiagames For $80 – $100 Million | first=Vikas | last=SN | work=[[Tech In Asia]] | date=October 7, 2011}}</ref>
In April 2012, DIMG announced three web series targeted towards mothers: "Moms of", "That's Fresh", and "Thinking Up."<ref>{{cite news|last=Chmielewski|first=Dawn C.|title=Disney Interactive targets moms with original series |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/company-town-blog/story/2012-04-27/disney-interactive-targets-moms-with-original-series|access-date=October 17, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=April 27, 2012}}</ref> By October, DIMG had 15 consecutive quarters of losses totaling some $977 million.<ref name=nyt/> Following conflicts with Pleasants, Merrifield resigned from the company. DIMG also in October announced "Toy Box", a cross platform gaming initiative where Pixar and Disney characters will interact from a console game to multiple mobile and online applications.<ref name=nyt/>
===2012–2018: Disney Interactive=== In 2012, Disney Interactive Media Group shortened its name to Disney Interactive (DI).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-companies/disney-interactive-media-group|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712212225/http://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-companies/disney-interactive-media-group|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-12|title=Disney Interactive|website=The Walt Disney Company}}</ref>
In January 2013, Disney Interactive's [[Avalanche Software]] unveiled the Toy Box cross platform game as ''[[Disney Infinity (video game)|Disney Infinity]]'', based on ''[[Toy Story 3: The Video Game]]'''s "Toy Box" mode crossed with a toy line.<ref name=bw1>{{cite news |last=Lang |first=Derrik J. |title=Disney unveils own 'Skylanders'-like franchise |url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2013-01-15/disney-unveils-own-skylanders-like-franchise |access-date=January 30, 2013 |newspaper=Business Week |date=January 15, 2013 |agency=AP |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225175820/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2013-01-15/disney-unveils-own-skylanders-like-franchise |archive-date=February 25, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref> Also in January, Disney Interactive announced the closure of [[Junction Point Studios]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Lang|first=Derrik J.|title=Disney closing 'Epic Mickey' video game developer|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jan/29/disney-closing-epic-mickey-video-game-developer/|access-date=January 30, 2013|newspaper=Washington Times|date=January 29, 2013|agency=AP}}</ref>
In October 2013, Disney announced that its Interactive division had a profit of $16 million for its fourth quarter, based partly on sales of Disney Infinity and uniting both halves of the division under one president.<ref name=rtr>Richwine, Lisa. (November 11, 2013) [https://www.reuters.com/article/disney-interactive-idUSL2N0IW0YZ20131112 REFILE-UPDATE 2-Disney games co-president named consultant as unit consolidates]. [[Reuters]]. Accessed on November 15, 2013.</ref>
In March 2014, Disney Interactive announced it was laying off 700 people in order to combine its two-game units, mobile and social, due to sagging popularity of [[Social network game|Facebook games]], and closing some Disney Online sites. The company stated that it would place less emphasis on advertising and instead focus on sponsorships for Disney Online and licensed game development. Certain segments of the business, such as a mobile application in Japan and the ''Disney Infinity'' franchise'','' remained profitable.<ref name="NYT0">{{cite news |last=Barnes |first=Brooks |date=March 6, 2014 |title=Disney's Game and Internet Division Cuts One-Quarter of Its Work Force |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/07/business/media/disneys-game-and-internet-division-cuts-one-quarter-of-its-workforce.html?smid=tw-share&_r=1 |access-date=March 6, 2014 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
Disney Interactive was merged with [[Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media#Disney Consumer Products|Disney Consumer Products]] on June 29, 2015, forming a new segment and division known as "Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media", with Disney Interactive as a direct unit.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/06/29/disney-merges-interactive-and-consumer-products-divisions-for-toys-to-life-superpower.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705161756/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/06/29/disney-merges-interactive-and-consumer-products-divisions-for-toys-to-life-superpower.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=July 5, 2015|title=Disney Merges Interactive And Consumer Products Divisions For Toys To Life Superpower|first=Mike|last=Futter|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=June 29, 2015|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref> In December 2015, [[Maker Studios]] was placed under the control of Disney Interactive with the appointment of Maker's executive vice president Courtney Holt, reporting to Jimmy Pitaro, president of Disney Interactive.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lieberman|first1=David|title=Disney Taps Courtney Holt To Replace Ynon Kreiz As Head Of Maker Studios|url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/disney-name-courtney-holt-head-maker-studios-replace-ynon-kreiz-1201667347/|access-date=December 21, 2015|work=Deadline|date=December 15, 2015}}</ref>
With a lack of growth in toy-to-game market and increasing developmental costs, in May 2016, Disney Interactive discontinued ''Disney Infinity'' and closed down [[Avalanche Software]]. The company additionally ceased all self-publishing efforts. The company reported a $147 million earnings impact for ending its console gaming business.<ref name=ign>{{cite news|last1=Macy|first1=Seth G.|title=Disney Cancels Infinity, No Longer Self-Publishing Games|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/05/10/disney-cancels-infinity-no-longer-self-publishing-games|access-date=May 10, 2016|work=IGN|date=May 10, 2016|quote= This means that we will be shutting down Avalanche, our internal studio that developed the game. }}</ref>
In September 2018, Disney confirmed the imminent discontinuation of ''[[Club Penguin Island]]'' in a letter sent to its Disney Online Studios team in Kelowna, as well as the layoffs of most employees in said studio.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/club-penguin-island-to-shut-down-marking-final-end-of-1829370171|title=Club Penguin Island To Shut Down, Marking Final End Of The Beloved Children's MMO|last=D'Anastasio|first=Cecilia|website=Kotaku|date=September 27, 2018 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-11}}</ref>
In November 2018, Disney reached an agreement with [[Jam City (company)|Jam City]] to assume operation of its Glendale-based [[Disney Interactive Studios]]. As part of the deal, Jam City acquired ''Emoji Blitz'' and development rights for future games based on Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios franchises. Employees at the studio were offered positions with Jam City to continue working on the Disney titles.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |date=November 14, 2018 |title=Disney's Glendale Games Studio Transfers to Jam City, Which Plans to Create Game for 'Frozen 2' |url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/disney-frozen-game-glendale-studio-jam-city-emoji-blitz-1203027542/ |access-date=November 14, 2018 |work=Variety}}</ref>
===2018–present: Disney Electronic Content=== Disney Electronic Content would take over publishing duties of various Disney-branded video games not licensed to other companies. Their first release was ''Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King'' on October 29, 2019 for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 4]] and [[Xbox One]], a collection of tie-in video games based on both films developed by [[Digital Eclipse]]. A re-release featuring ''[[The Jungle Book (1967 film)|The Jungle Book]]'' games and the [[Disney's Aladdin (SNES video game)|SNES version]] of ''Aladdin'', titled ''Disney Classic Games Collection'' was released on November 23, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Official Site |url=https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/disney-classic-games-aladdin-and-the-lion-king-switch/ |access-date=2023-03-08 |website=www.nintendo.com |language=en-us}}</ref>
Disney Electronic Content released ''[[Zombies Ate My Neighbors]]'' and ''[[Ghoul Patrol]]'' on June 29, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zombies Ate My Neighbors and Ghoul Patrol for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Official Site |url=https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/zombies-ate-my-neighbors-and-ghoul-patrol-switch/ |access-date=2023-03-08 |website=www.nintendo.com |language=en-us}}</ref> ''[[Disney Illusion Island]]'', a platform game developed by [[Dlala Studios]], was released for [[Nintendo Switch]] on July 28, 2023<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disney Illusion Island for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Official Site |url=https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/disney-illusion-island-switch/ |access-date=2023-03-08 |website=www.nintendo.com |language=en-us}}</ref> and for Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on May 30, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disney Illusion Island Starring Mickey and Friends is Coming to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on May 30 |url=https://gamingbolt.com/disney-illusion-island-starring-mickey-and-friends-is-coming-to-pc-ps5-and-xbox-series-x-s-on-may-30/amp |access-date=2025-12-23 |website=gamingbolt.com}}</ref>
==Units== * Disney Games * [[Marvel Games]] * Rocket Pack<ref name=tc0/> * StudioEX<ref>{{cite web|last=Brzeski|first=Patrick|title=Disney Buys South Korean Game Developer Studio Ex (Report)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/disney-buys-south-korean-game-400478/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116235118/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/disney-buys-south-korean-game-400478/|publisher=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=December 11, 2012|access-date=January 16, 2023|archive-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> * Gamestar * Disney Online Studios * Disney Online * [[Disney Mobile]]<ref>{{cite web|title=About Us|url=http://dimgpressroom.com/about-us/|work=Disney Interactive Media Group Press Room|publisher=Disney|access-date=October 17, 2012}}</ref> * [[Disney Digital Network]] (formerly Maker Studios), multi-network content for YouTube.
===Disney Online=== {{Infobox company | name = Disney Online | logo = Disney.svg | type = [[Division (business)|Division]] | industry = Internet | founded = {{Start date and age|1995|08|23}} | hq_location_country = [[United States]] | products = Websites | parent = Disney Interactive | divisions = {{unbulleted list|Disney Family Network|DigiSynd}} }}
Disney Online is a division of Disney Interactive that operates most of Disney's online portfolio.
On August 23, 1995, Disney Interactive formed Disney Online unit with the naming of [[Jake Winebaum]] as president of Disney Online.<ref name=tfl/> On November 19, 1996, the opening of DisneyStore.com was open under Disney Online business unit. The family.com website is launched on December 9, 1996.<ref>{{cite web|title=July-December 1996 |work=Chronology of the Walt Disney Company |url=http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1996jul.htm|access-date=November 26, 2012}} Source: CNet News.com, https://archive.today/20130102120941/http://www.news.cnet.com/</ref>
Disney announced on April 18, 1997 that it will purchase [[Starwave]]'s Family Planet Web site and merge it with Family.com.<ref name=c97>{{cite web|title=July-December 1996 |work=Chronology of the Walt Disney Company |url=http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1997.htm|access-date=November 26, 2012}} Source: CNet News.com, https://archive.today/20130102120941/http://www.news.cnet.com/</ref> The Disney Daily Blast (dailyblast.com) web site officially launched on April 23 under a subscription plan and daily content targeted to younger viewers with Microsoft Network marketing and distributing for an exclusive 10-month period.<ref name=c97/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Jensen|first1=Jeff|title=Disney's Daily Blast Debuts on MSN: Ad-Supported Kids Net Service Likely to seek More Carriers Soon|url=https://adage.com/article/news/disney-s-daily-blast-debuts-msn-ad-supported-kids-net-service-seek-carriers/68755|access-date=January 5, 2017|work=Ad Age|date=March 31, 1997}}</ref>
In July 1998, Disney Online announced dig.com, Disney Internet Guide, a child friendly web directory<ref>{{cite news|last=Bensko|first=Jennifer|title=A Web of Their Own|url=https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-20971263|access-date=November 30, 2012|newspaper=Newsweek|date=July 6, 1998}}</ref> which launched in June 1998<ref name="Polsson"/> and closed one year later in June to focus on [[Infoseek]]/[[Go.com|Go Network]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Hu|first=Jim|title=Disney quietly shutters family Net guide|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/disney-quietly-shutters-family-net-guide/|access-date=November 8, 2021|website=CNET |date=August 9, 1999}}</ref>
In late 2007, DIMG purchased IParenting Media's websites.<ref name=lat/> Disney sold movies.com to [[Fandango (ticket service)|Fandango]] in June 2008.<ref>{{cite news|last=Chmielewski|first=Dawn C.|title=Fandango acquires Movies.com|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jun-24-fi-movies24-story.html|access-date=December 21, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=June 24, 2008}}</ref> Disney Online purchased in 2008 Take 180 from Chris Williams, who stays on until April 2012 as vice president and general manager of Disney Online Originals, which has Take 180 as creative hub.<ref name=vty>{{cite news|last1=Wallenstein|first1=Andrew|title=Disney exec ankles for Maker Studios|url=https://variety.com/2012/digital/news/disney-exec-ankles-for-maker-studios-1118052288/|access-date=February 6, 2015|work=Variety|date=April 4, 2012}}</ref> In 2009, DIMG's Disney Online unit purchased from Kaboose multiple websites including: Kaboose.com, Babyzone.com, AmazingMoms.com, Funschool.com and Zeeks.com, and place them into its Disney Family Network.<ref name="DOybiz">{{cite web|url=http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/43/43304.html|title=Disney Online Company Profile|website=Yahoo/Hoover|access-date=October 17, 2012}}</ref><ref name=tc/> Disney.com purchased [[Kerpoof]] in February 2009.<ref>{{cite news |last=Avery |first=Greg |title=Disney reveals Kerpoof purchase|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2009/02/16/daily52.html|access-date=July 20, 2011|newspaper=Orlando Business Journal |date=February 20, 2009}}</ref>
In November 2011, DIMG purchased Babble Media Inc. to add it to the Mom and Family Portfolio.<ref name=lat/> In March 2014, Disney Interactive announced it was laying off 700 people, or one-fourth of its staff as DI closed smaller Disney Online sites including BabyZone.com and Spoonful.com. They said will focus less on advertising and more on sponsorships for Disney Online to fit the experience Disney wishes to offer.<ref name=NYT0/>
====Online units==== * [[disney.com]] * Disney Family Network websites<ref name=DOybiz/> - also called Mom and Family Portfolio ** Family.Disney.com ** [[Babble.com]], mother bloggers site<ref name=lat/> * DigiSynd, social media marketing
==References== <references/>
==External links== {{Portal|Companies|Disney}} * [https://www.disney.com/ Disney.com] ** Disney Family Network websites *** [https://web.archive.org/web/20130214062633/http://spoonful.com/ Spoonful.com] *** [https://web.archive.org/web/20121018124647/http://www.babyzone.com/ Babyzone.com]
{{Disney|state=collapsed}} {{DisneyConsumer|state=collapsed}} {{Disney Experiences|state=collapsed}}{{Authority control}} {{coord|34|09|52|N|118|22|30|W|region:FR_type:landmark_source:kolossus-frwiki|display=title}}
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