MTV NETWORKS AND
NICKELODEON EXECUTIVES TO DELIVER KEYNOTE
ADDRESS AT FIRST-EVER VIRTUAL WORLDS CONFERENCE
ON MARCH 28, 2007 IN NEW YORK
Matt Bostwick, SVP,
Franchise Development at MTV Music/Logo Group
Jeffrey B. Yapp, Executive Vice President, MTV Networks Music/Logo
Group
Steve Youngwood, Executive Vice President, Digital Media,
Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group
NEW YORK - March 6,
2007 - Virtual Worlds Management today announced three senior
executives from Viacom’s MTV Networks will keynote at the inaugural
Virtual Worlds Conference taking place March 28-29, 2007 at the Museum
of Jewish Heritage in New York City . Delivering the address will be:
Matt Bostwick, SVP, Franchise Development, MTV Networks Music/Logo
Group; Jeffrey B. Yapp, Executive Vice President, MTV Networks; and
Steve Youngwood, Executive Vice President, Digital Media, Nickelodeon
and MTVN Kids and Family Group. The Virtual Worlds Conference -
http://www.VirtualWorlds2007.com - is the leading event for
Fortune 500 executives seeking to understand and maximize marketing,
entertainment, and business strategies within virtual worlds.
“MTV Networks is
innovating in the virtual world space by combining television, 2D web
and 3D virtual communities in one integrated system,” said Christopher
Sherman, Executive Director of Virtual Worlds Conference 2007. “From
MTV Networks’ Virtual Laguna Beach and Virtual Hills to Nickelodeon’s
Nicktropolis, Viacom is helping define the next-generation media
platforms that deliver deep, engaging experiences. Virtual worlds
allow media and entertainment innovators unprecedented ways to engage
consumers with the franchises they’ve enjoyed in front of their
television screens."
Virtual Worlds
Conference gives attendees an inside look at the Virtual Worlds
activities of MTV Networks’ MTV and Nickelodeon brands, AOL, Pontiac,
Leo Burnett, Sundance Channel, GSD&M, IBM and other major brands. In
addition attendees gain exclusive insight into a variety of Virtual
Worlds platforms including Second Life, There.com, Multiverse,
Forterra Systems, ProtonMedia, Whyville, Entropia Universe, Habbo,
Areae and more.
About the Speakers
Matt Bostwick leads the
team responsible for Virtual Laguna Beach and Virtual Hills, which
have earned acclaim in the media/entertainment industry for creating
environments where viewers can live out the story arcs and programming
they see on-air. Virtual Laguna Beach and Virtual Hills are just two
of several next-generation platforms that Bostwick’s team is
developing at MTV Networks. Other virtual worlds under development
include: a global music-based experience that will unite music lovers
worldwide; and LogoWorld, the ultimate exercise in user-generated
content conceived from the ground up by members of the lesbian, gay,
bi-sexual and transgender community.
Jeffrey B. Yapp leads
the business development team for MTV Networks Music/Logo Group,
extending the MTV, VH1, CMT and Logo brands into new platforms. Yapp
oversees an extensive array of ventures including: DVDs, direct-to-DVD
movies, console and portable video games, consumer publishing,
consumer products, radio, satellite radio, direct response, HDTV and
new channel and business development.
Steve Youngwood leads
and manages the various MTVN Kids and Family Group brands' expansion
across current and future digital platforms. He oversees the
day-to-day management of the brands' growing online efforts, including
the kids’ targeted websites: Nick.com, Nicktropolis.com, a virtual
playground for kids, TurboNick, Nickelodeon’s broadband video player,
the preschool/parenting websites: Nickjr.com, Noggin.com,
GoCityKids.com, and parent targeted Parentsconnect.com, the teen
targeted website, The-N.com, and the portfolio of family gaming
websites: Neopets.com and the recently acquired Shockwave.com and
Addictinggames.com.
About the Conference
Virtual Worlds
Conference takes place March 28 - 29, 2007 at the Museum of Jewish
Heritage in New York City. Online registration is open and attendees
can save $200 by taking advantage of early registration - only $795 -
until March 23, 2007. Registration information and conference details
are available on to
http://www.VirtualWorlds2007.com
Virtual Worlds
Conference 2007 is sponsored by Electric Sheep Company, Linden Lab,
Makena Technologies, IBM and ProtonMedia.
About Virtual Worlds
Management
Virtual Worlds
Management (VWM), a division of Show Initiative, LLC (formerly The
Game Initiative), is the leading provider of trade events and media
for the emerging virtual worlds industry. VWM services include the
Virtual Worlds Conference series, the Virtual Worlds Weekly email
newsletter and Virtual World Times, the trade news blog of the virtual
worlds industry. In 2006 Show Initiative sold its portfolio of 10 game
industry events, including the massively multiplayer online game (MMOG)
focused Austin Game Conference to CMP Technology. More information
about Virtual Worlds Management and Show Initiative can be found at
http://www.VirtualWorldsManagement.com
Contact:
Tim Williams
Sales and Marketing Director
tim@showinitiative.com
512-289-8687