Los Angeles - Disney (NYSE: DIS) plans to merge its Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) online unit with its Disney Interactive Studios video game business to form a new unit to be called Disney Interactive Media Group, PaidContent reported, citing an internal memo from Disney CEO Bob Iger. The new unit is expected to be led by current WDIG president Steve Wadsworth.

WDIG has itself managed game properties like Club Penguin and the company's "Pirates of the Caribbean Online" virtual world.

"The uniqueness of the Disney brand provides us an opportunity and an imperative to create a unified Disney-branded experience and community across all connected devices," Iger says in the memo.

"Additionally, as console and handheld games become more connected to the Internet, and as Internet and mobile become increasingly robust destinations for games and a range of interactive entertainment, we are taking this opportunity to integrate these activities."

Related Links:
http://snipurl.com/2e6n7 (PaidContent)

http://corporate.disney.go.com/wdig/index.html