Announced yesterday, MTV Networks have successfully acquired social games maker Social Express Inc. The acquisition marks MTV’s first formal entry into the social gaming space. The network intends on developing social gaming content based on original IP, as well as shows and characters from MTC, Nickelodeon and other brands under the MTV/Viacom banner. I can’t wait for the Jersey Shore social game. MTV is aiming for a Q3 release date of their first social gaming offering.
“Social gaming is one of the biggest drivers of the explosive growth in social media – it’s fun, it’s engaging, and it’s shareable,” said Judy McGrath, Chairman and CEO of MTV Networks. “Social Express brings us strong experience and know-how in this burgeoning space, which we’ll supercharge with the IP and scale of Nickelodeon and other MTV Networks brands to create great new social gaming experiences for our fans and cool tools for independent developers as well.”
In addition to social games creation and distribution, MTV also plans on leveraging Social Express’s expertise to launch a new publishing platform that will be used to encourage social games developers to contribute.
Nickelodeon Digital will see the first integration with Social Express influence, as Social Express co-founder and CEO Tony Espinoza will now oversee social gaming strategy and development as Vice President and General Manager of Social Gameing for MTV Networks’ Nickelodeon Kids & Family Group. Do they really fit that on a business card? Social Express’s other co-founder, Neil Souza will now take on the roll of Vice President of Technology, Social Games.
“The Social Express team is a great addition to our gaming unit, and they are set to be a key part of our growth strategy,” said Stephen Youngwood, Executive Vice President for Digital, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids & Family Group. Again…what’s with the overly long titles?
The Social Express acquisition serves to augment MTV’s current portfolio of gaming destinations including AddictingGames.com, Shockwave.com, Nick.com/games, Nick.com Arcade, Neopets, Game Trailers, and Xfire.
Tags: MTV, nickelodeon, Social Express
