Press release: 2000-12-06: Sega.com Acquires FamilyWonder Inc.

From Sega Retro

Logo-txt.svg
This is an unaltered copy of a press release, for use as a primary source on Sega Retro. Please do not edit the contents below.
Language: English
Original source: The Free Library


Sega.com Acquires FamilyWonder Inc.; Jonathan Kaplan Named President and CEO of Sega.com.

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 6, 2000

Sega.com, the leading online console and PC gaming company, today announced the acquisition of the premiere family entertainment media company, FamilyWonder, Inc. Jonathan Kaplan, Founder and Chairman of FamilyWonder, will assume the additional role of President and CEO of Sega.com. As a member of the executive team, he will be responsible for Sega.com's online console and PC gaming businesses in North America, including all business development, marketing, sales and operations. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. As Sega.com continues to enrich its online services and moves from its videogaming customer base into a broader console and PC gaming community, FamilyWonder brings a complimentary and broader audience, expanded services and strong management. Additional information regarding the combined companies will be announced at a later date.

The acquisition builds upon the strengths of the united management teams from Sega.com and its sister company Sega(R) of America Dreamcast, Inc. Kaplan and Sega of America's President and COO, Peter Moore, will work closely together to ensure the two independent companies continue to forge a symbiotic relationship that is mutually beneficial to their companies, their investors, their partners and their consumers. Kaplan brings expertise from both the online and publishing industries to Sega.com. His career began at Newsweek magazine and continued for six years as a key technology visionary for thirteen Conde Nast publications including Vogue, GQ, Glamour, Conde Nast Traveler, SELF, and Gourmet. In 1998, Kaplan started FamilyWonder, Inc., and under his leadership, quickly established the company as the leading web-based entertainment resource for families. Since its launch in September, Sega.com has signed more than 157,000 members to SegaNet(tm), the world's first and only online console gaming network and ISP. With a network that was built from the ground up to ensure consistent high-speed gameplay and low latency, Sega.com is well poised to be a market leader which is expected to grow to more than 68 million online gamers by 2003 (1).

About Sega.com and SegaNet

Sega.com, Inc. is a new online entertainment company whose goal is to become the online destination for gamers. Sega.com integrates SegaNet, the only high-speed online console gaming network providing Dreamcast users with the ultimate in speed, reliability and content. SegaNet offers gamers the best in 3D multi-player games, chat, community, cheat codes, tournaments and content. SegaNet is also an ISP for Sega Dreamcast and PC users, offering gamers everything they need to know about gaming.

About FamilyWonder, Inc.

FamilyWonder, Inc. is a premier family entertainment media company and leading Internet destination. The Company develops innovative content and services to help families with "what to buy" and "what to do" with their children. Located in San Francisco, the company operates one of the Internet's most popular web sites for families, www.familywonder.com. FamilyWonder.com has attracted some of the world's most prestigious partners including: FAO Schwarz, Lycos, Disney.com, Family.com, ESPN.com, ABC.com, FamilyEducation.com, NBCi, and American Greetings.

(1)Jupiter Communications
COPYRIGHT 2000 Business Wire
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2000, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.