KAYAK INTERACTIVE ANNOUNCES NEW CEO, KEITH McCURDY, EA VETERAN AND ONLINE GAME EXPERT
Online Game Veteran Sees Familiar High-Growth Opportunities in Mobile
For Immediate Release
Princeton, NJ (August 31, 2004) Kayak Interactive, the company making multiplayer gaming a reality in the mobile entertainment industry, announces that Keith McCurdy, former Electronic Arts Vice President for Online and Product Development, has joined the company as CEO.
"Keith's track record of growing community-based businesses in the game industry makes him a strong leader for Kayak," says Duncan Davidson, Chairman of the Board, Kayak Interactive. "He is uniquely positioned to advance the company as the mobile game market shifts from static, single-player gaming to network connected, dynamic, multiplayer games."
Keith has an extensive, international background in the game industry. During his ten years at EA, he played an integral part in creating the company's online game business, which led to the massive multiplayer game, Ultima, a title that defined the business model for the online game industry. While at EA, Keith held a number of titles including Vice President of Product Development, Vice President of Technology, Vice President of Online and Director of the Advanced Technology Group. He led product teams at EA that generated more than $250 million in revenue.
"Kayak is at the forefront of mobile, multiplayer game industry based on its strong management team and its technology, which delivers on the promise of interactive and competitive game play," says Keith McCurdy, CEO, Kayak Interactive. "We are in excellent position to become the principal mobile, multiplayer game publisher by delivering great games with rich active and reactive experiences."
Earlier this year, Kayak Interactive exceeded expectations by hosting a tournament competition that allowed gamers to play the mobile, multiplayer version of the popular IOMO game, PubPool, based on Kayak's technology. The event featured an eight-player, single-elimination tournament with members of the mobile entertainment community competing across AT&T Wireless and Verizon Wireless networks. The tournament demonstrated the company's commitment to games that connect players with live competition and collaboration. The company will deliver a wide portfolio of multiplayer titles this year.
About Kayak Interactive
Kayak Interactive is a global publisher of mobile multiplayer games. The company's games actively connect players during game play and reach users on all popular handsets and networks. Built by the world's best studios, each game can include a rich community experience based on the company's Kayak LiveTM technology. The company is led by veterans in their respective fields of mobile games, marketing, network and data center operations and technology. Kayak was founded in 2003 with funding led by VantagePoint Venture Partners and TL Ventures. For more information, please visit www.kayakInteractive.com
Brian Baglow
Indoctrimat PR
M: +44 (0) 7747 792247