(New York, May 4, 2011)—Bertelsmann AG has acquired cutting-edge digital media agency Smashing Ideas, Inc. for its Random House, Inc. division, the world’s largest English-language trade book publisher. The purchase was announced today by Markus Dohle, Chairman and CEO of Random House and Member of the Executive Board of Bertelsmann AG, and Stephen Jackson, President and CEO of Smashing Ideas, Inc.

The acquisition adds significantly to the set of Random House capabilities and further signals the intention of Random House and its parent company to be leaders in digital content creation, and demonstrates their commitment to expanding revenues from mobile and interactive online products and services.

The transaction closed on May 2. The terms of the acquisition are not being made public.

The fifteen-year-old Seattle-based Smashing Ideas is renowned for offering strategic marketing solutions and creating immersive, interactive content experiences, from games to branded sites to story-based applications, across multiple digital distribution channels, including online, smartphones, tablet devices, and iTV. They serve a roster of prominent clients such as Mattel, Nickelodeon, PBS, Cartoon Network, and Disney. Last year alone, Smashing Ideas generated 500 million game plays and half a billion page views for its clients. Smashing Ideas added an ePublishing unit last year, coinciding with the arrival of tablet devices in the marketplace.

Smashing Ideas will continue to operate independently out of their Seattle headquarters, as well as their U.K. office, primarily focusing on its current and future client businesses.

Last September, Random House, Inc. established a partnership with Smashing Ideas to develop first-rate mobile applications for selected titles. The first two apps, developed with the Random House Children’s Books division, Wild About Books and Pat the Bunny, both climbed to #1 in the books category in the Apple App store.

“Bertelsmann, Random House, and Smashing Ideas are a great fit creatively and culturally, as our recently begun partnership has demonstrated to us. We are driven to create value for authors, brands, and clients, and the opportunity to do so together, through broad-based digital development of innovative and interactive engagement with consumers and readers, is enormously appealing to us,” says Markus Dohle. “We intend to provide our new Smashing Ideas colleagues with abundant resources to help them grow as a profit center, as well as a creative force.”

“We are thrilled by both the opportunity to be part of the Bertelsmann and Random House organizations and by their belief in our company. We’re delighted to be a part of their publishing future. We look forward to collaborating on the building of next-generation digital businesses while we continue to build the Smashing Ideas clients base,” says Stephen Jackson. “Being part of one of the world’s great publishing companies will give the Smashing Ideas team access to new global customers within the publishing world and also in many other business categories as we extend our leadership position across all digital platforms around the world.”

Smashing Ideas will become an even stronger partner for Random House’s digital content initiatives, concentrating on the company’s development of fun and meaningful digital product and branding solutions. Within Random House, Smashing Ideas will be focused particularly in the children’s, educational, lifestyle, and reference areas, as well as on working with Random House publishers to develop new content solutions for the mobile and online marketplaces.

About Bertelsmann AG
Bertelsmann is an international media company encompassing television (RTL Group), book publishing (Random House), magazine publishing (Gruner + Jahr), media services (Arvato), and media clubs (Direct Group) in more than 50 countries. Bertelsmann’s claim is to inspire people around the world with first-class media and communications offerings – entertainment, information and services – and occupy leading positions in its respective markets. The foundation of Bertelsmann’s success is a corporate culture based on partnership, entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and corporate responsibility. The company strives to bring creative new ideas to market and create value.

Random House is the world’s trade-book market leader, a commercial and literary powerhouse publishing 10,000 new hardcovers, paperbacks, audio, and electronic books annually in the local languages of 16 countries, and selling 400 million books a year. More than 25,000 English- German- and Spanish-language titles are available as Random House e-books. Random House is home to many of the world’s most popular and culturally admired adult and children’s authors, including Nobel laureates and international leaders. It is a company of people who love books and who are passionate supporters of their authors, booksellers, and readers. (www.randomhouse.com)

Smashing Ideas (www.smashingideas.com), founded in 1996, has become one of the leading digital media agencies for the youth market by creating immersive, interactive content that transforms consumer-driven brand experiences in a digital world. Cartoon Network, Disney, GE, Hasbro, Nickelodeon, Microsoft, Ericsson, Verizon Wireless and more have called upon the company to develop engaging, online, iTV and mobile experience for their audiences. Smashing Ideas is based in Seattle, with offices in the U.K.

(April 14, 2011, New York, NY)—Random House Children’s Books (www.randomhouse.com/kids), announced today that the pat the bunny (www.rhkidsapps.com/patthebunny) interactive app is now available in the iTunes store. Developed in collaboration with leading digital media agency Smashing Ideas, the universal app for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch is based on Dorothy Kunhardt’s touch-and-feel children’s book classic. When pat the bunny was originally published in 1940, it was groundbreaking in its use of touch-and-feel elements (such as daddy’s scratchy face) and interactive features (“Now YOU play peek-a-boo with Paul.”) The app extends the legacy of pat the bunny to the digital world, promoting children’s mastery of their world through simple, interactive play.

Designed for the youngest user, children can easily bring bunny to life and interact in new ways. They can pop bubbles with bunny, help bunny catch butterflies, tuck bunny into bed, and more. On devices with front-facing cameras, including the new iPad 2, children will be delighted by a “look in the mirror” feature that allows them to see their reflection. With 14 stunningly animated scenes in all, there are plenty of surprises to see and discover. There are three different ways to read through the app: users can watch illuminated text while hearing the words read aloud, turn off the narration and read at their own pace, or record their own voice to be played back.

The pat the bunny app promotes the development of fine motor skills with a paint mode that magically transforms each page into a colorable activity. This paint feature is made for the youngest users as children can simply swipe a black-and-white scene to make the colors appear. Children will delight in dragging their fingers across an image of bunny’s birthday party and watching the picture come to life in vibrant colors. Sparkles jump across the page as little fingers brush yellow and pink onto the flowers in bunny’s garden.

With a click of the “Buy App” arrow in the iTunes® App Store, the pat the bunny app makes the perfect gift for new parents. Theapp retails for $4.99, but will be available at the special introductory price of $2.99. It can be purchased once and used on iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

pat the bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt has sold more than 9 million copies since its original publication in 1940. It was first created as a gift from Dorothy Kunhardt to her daughter, Edith. Since then, Edith Kunhardt has expanded the pat the bunny series to include many successful titles including Pat the Cat and Pat the Christmas Bunny. With the release of the app, the iconic characters and stories of pat the bunny are sure to entertain children for generations to come.

Also available from Random House Children’s Books is How Rocket Learned to Read for iPad created in partnership with Domani Studios, and Wild About Books for iPad, developed in partnership with Smashing Ideas.

Random House Children’s Books is the world’s largest English-language children’s trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books, novels, ebooks, and apps, the imprints of Random House Children’s Books bring together award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous franchise characters, and multimillion-copy series. The company’s website, Kids @ Random (www.randomhouse.com/kids) offers an array of activities, games, and resources for children, teens, parents, and educators. Random House Children’s Books is a division of Random House, Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG, a leading international media company.

Smashing Ideas, founded in 1996, has become one of the leading digital media agencies for the youth market by creating immersive, interactive content that transforms consumer-driven brand experiences in a digital world. Cartoon Network, Disney, GE, Hasbro, Nickelodeon, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Verizon Wireless, and more have called upon the company to develop engaging, online, ITV, and mobile experiences for their audiences. Smashing Ideas is based in Seattle, with offices in Portland and in the U.K.

NEW YORK, Dec. 21, 2010: PRNewswire — Penguin Young Readers Group, one of the leading children’s book publishers in the United States, in collaboration with Smashing Ideas, the leading digital media agency providing immersive and interactive entertainment, announces the release of The Little Engine That Could interactive children’s book app on the App Store.The universal app for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch is based on Watty Piper’s beloved classic and features iconic 1950’s artwork, sound effects and moveable objects, and can be set to either 'follow along’ or 'read-aloud’ mode.

Don Weisberg, President, Penguin Young Readers Group, said, "'I think I can, I think I can.’ These simple words have inspired generations of young readers to believe that with a little persistence and a positive attitude, anything is possible. For that reason, The Little Engine That Could was the perfect choice for our first interactive children’s book title on the App Store. Now young children can experience this timeless tale in a whole new way."
Stephen Jackson, President and CEO of Smashing Ideas said, "It has truly been an honor to work with a timeless classic like The Little Engine That Could and bring its inspirational story to children and their families on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. We are excited to partner with Penguin to help create interactive, engaging and new innovative digital products."

The original version of The Little Engine That Could has sold more than 10 million copies in the English language. In it, a train of toys is stranded when its engine stalls. The train desperately needs another engine to take it over the mountain so that all of the children there will have toys to play with and good food to eat. But none of the big, important engines will help them. Luckily, the Little Blue Engine comes along. She is small, but she has confidence that she can do it as and she does!

The Little Engine That Could App is available for $6.99 from the App Store on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, or at www.penguin.com/littleengineapp.

Penguin Young Readers Group is one of the leading children’s book publishers in the United States. The company owns a wide range of imprints and trademarks including Dial Books, Dutton, Grosset & Dunlap, Philomel, Puffin, Speak, Firebird, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, Viking, Razorbill, and Frederick Warne. These imprints are home to such award-winning, New York Times- bestselling authors as Laurie Halse Anderson, Jay Asher, Judy Blume, Jan Brett, Eric Carle, Roald Dahl, Tomie dePaola, Sarah Dessen, John Green, Eric Hill, Anthony Horowitz, Brian Jacques, Mike Lupica, Richelle Mead, Richard Peck, Patricia Polacco, and dozens of other popular authors. Penguin Young Readers Group is also the proud publisher of perennial brand franchises such as The Little Engine That Could, the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series, Peter Rabbit, Spot, the Classic Winnie the Pooh, the Very Hungry Caterpillar, Strega Nona, Madeline, Mad Libs, Alex Rider, the Rangers Apprentice, Skippyjon Jones, Flower Fairies, and Pippi Longstocking, among many others. Penguin Young Readers Group is a division of Penguin Group (USA), the U.S. member of the internationally renowned Penguin Group, one of the largest English-language trade book publishers in the world. The Penguin Group is owned by Pearson plc, the international media group.

Smashing Ideas, founded in 1996, has become one of the leading digital media agencies for the youth market by creating immersive, interactive content that transforms consumer-driven brand experiences in a digital world. Cartoon Network, Disney, GE, Hasbro, Nickelodeon, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Verizon Wireless and more have called upon the Company to develop engaging, online, ITV and mobile experiences for their audiences. Smashing Ideas is based in Seattle, with offices in Portland and in the UK.

Penguin Group (USA) Inc. is the U.S. member of the internationally renowned Penguin Group.  Penguin Group (USA) is one of the leading U.S. adult and children’s trade book publishers, owning a wide range of imprints and trademarks, including Viking, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, The Penguin Press, Riverhead Books, Dutton, Penguin Books, Berkley Books, Gotham Books, Portfolio, New American Library, Plume, Tarcher, Philomel, Grosset & Dunlap, Puffin, Razorbill and Frederick Warne, among others. The Penguin Group (www.penguin.com) is part of Pearson plc, the international media company.

(December 15, 2010, New York, NY)—Random House Children’s Books (www.randomhouse.com/kids), together with leading digital media agency Smashing Ideas (www.smashingideas.com), today announced that Wild About Books for iPad will be available in the iTunes store December 16th. Based on the New York Times bestselling children’s picture book Wild About Books, by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Marc Brown, the app retails for $7.99 but is available now for a special introductory price of $4.99. This is is the first product in the partnership between Random House Inc. and Smashing Ideas, with more interactive digital books based on key properties such as pat the bunny, Little Golden Books® and others scheduled to follow in the coming months.

“Wild About Books for iPad is packed full of delightful interactive elements and sound effects that will encourage kids to explore each page and come back to the app time and again,” said Chip Gibson, President and Publisher, Random House Children’s Books. “Every scene of the story uses the iPad screen and capabilities to deliver new experiences for readers.”

The award-winning picture book now roars to life in sixteen animated and interactive scenes where kids can tilt, swipe, and tap their way through Judy Sierra’s rollicking rhymed story. Readers can choose to listen or turn off the narration and read at their own pace. Whether they’re making monkeys flip, beach balls bounce, animals stampede, or bears burp, parents and kids are sure to laugh, learn, and get wild about books together.

“Wild About Books for iPad capitalizes on a ground-breaking 3D interpretation,” said Ben Roberts, Director, ePublishing Smashing Ideas and co-creator of Alice for the iPad. “Marc Brown’s gorgeous illustrations are linked to iPad movements so that each page becomes a scene in a 3D world that you can twist and turn to intimately navigate and explore.”

Wild About Books, Judy Sierra’s funny animal tale about librarian Molly McGrew, who introduces animals to reading, was published in 2004 to critical acclaim, winning the coveted E.B. White Read Aloud Award. With playful art paintings by Arthur creator Marc Brown, it was also named an ALA Notable Children’s Book and a Book Sense Book of the Year. Having sold nearly 500,000 copies to date, it has found a permanent place on bookshelves in libraries and homes across the country.

Random House Children’s Books is the world’s largest English-language children’s trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books, novels, ebooks and apps, the imprints of Random House Children’s Books bring together award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous franchise characters, and multimillion-copy series. The company’s website, kids@random offers an array of activities, games and resources for children, teens, parents, and educators. Random House Children’s Books is a division of Random House, Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG, a leading international media company.

Smashing Ideas, founded in 1996, has become one of the leading digital media agencies for the youth market by creating immersive, interactive content that transforms consumer-driven brand experiences in a digital world. Cartoon Network, Disney, GE, Hasbro, Nickelodeon, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Verizon Wireless and more have called upon the Company to develop engaging, online, ITV and mobile experiences for their audiences. Smashing Ideas is based in Seattle, with offices in Portland and in the UK.

Seattle, WA, October 26, 2010 – M∙A∙C Cosmetics, the global beauty authority, in collaboration with Smashing Ideas (www.smashingideas.com), the leading digital media agency providing immersive and interactive entertainment, announced today their M∙A∙C: A Tartan Tale for iPad is now available in Apple’s iTunes store. Posh, punk, ancestral, anarchic, noble, naughty and glorious, M∙A∙C : A Tartan Tale celebrates Holiday 2010 through this free, radical and revolutionary iPad App from M∙A∙C and Smashing Ideas.

Follow the magical fairytale of the Myfanwy through the Glamora Castle as users shake, turn and touch interactive features throughout the book.

Features include:

• The fairytale comes to life through narration and sound effects
  
• Fully interactive pages allow users to unlock content and share with friends via Facebook
  
• Ships take flight, plaid-winged bats fly from the belfry as users touch-swipe through the visually stunning story
  
• The chandelier shimmies through real-time physics as users move and turn the iPad
  
• Tap the plaid makeup tin for direct access to maccosmetics.com where users can shop and learn about the entire Tartan Collection
  
• Unlock a plaid-elicious prize at the fairytale’s conclusion
  
• Full audio book of M∙A∙C : A Tartan Tale is also available along with a mini-history of Tartan

The M•A•C: A Tartan Tale app is launching in conjunction with the M•A•C 2010 Holiday colour collection, also by the same name. The collection features the hottest trend shades for the holiday season in Lipsticks, Dazzleglass Cremes, Blush and specially packaged Eyeshadows with a tartan pattern.

Earlier this month, Smashing Ideas released the first original content enhanced book The War of the Worlds for iPad. In September, the company announced a partnership with Random House to develop book-based children’s Apps for mobile devices.

About M•A•C COSMETICS
M•A•C (Make-up Art Cosmetics), a leading brand of professional cosmetics, was created in Toronto, Canada in 1984 and is part of The Estée Lauder Companies, Inc. The company’s popularity has grown through a tradition of word-of-mouth endorsement from makeup artists, models, photographers and journalists around the world. M•A•C is now sold in 75 countries worldwide. Become M•A•C fan at facebook.com/maccosmetics. View MAC Youtube and follow our MAC Artists on www.macartiststweets.com. For a M•A•C location visit maccosmetics.com.

About Smashing Ideas
Smashing Ideas, founded in 1996, has become one of the leading digital media agencies for the youth market by creating immersive, interactive content that transforms consumer-driven brand experiences in a digital world. Cartoon Network, Disney, GE, Hasbro, Nickelodeon, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Verizon Wireless and more have called upon the Company to develop engaging, online, ITV and mobile experiences for their audiences. Smashing Ideas is based in Seattle, with offices in Portland and in the UK.

Contact:
Carrie Peters, Smashing Ideas
carrie.peters@smashingideas.com
W: 206-378-0100 ext. 121
C: 206-579-3804

Heather Park, M•A•C Cosmetics
hepark@maccosmetics.com
W: 212.965.6337
C: 917.361.9633

The War of the Worlds for iPad Debuts on iTunes for $3.99

Seattle, WA, October 5, 2010 – Smashing Ideas (www.smashingideas.com), the leading digital media agency providing immersive and interactive entertainment for the youth market, today announced The War of the Worlds for iPad is now available in the iTunes store. The enhanced eBook, based on H.G. Wells classic Man vs. Martian tale, is available for the introductory price of $3.99. The War of the Worlds for iPad is the first release from the newly formed ePublishing division at Smashing Ideas.

“The War of the Worlds for iPad by Smashing Ideas is a stunning rendering of a novel that has been in continuous publication for more than one hundred years. We are excited to unveil this classic Sci-Fi tale as our first original eBook,” said Ben Roberts, director of ePublishing for Smashing Ideas. “Adding modern, digital elements like real-time physics accompanied by our own illustrations really enhances the reading experience.”

Features include:

• 27 interactive, visually compelling pages integrated with text from the original 1898 publication
  
• Design, illustrations and audio all created in-house by Smashing Ideas
  
• Real-time physics send coins sliding, plates flying and the Red Weeds swaying as the user tilts and swipes their iPad
  
• Intuitive design allows readers to touch-swipe the Martians Cylinders towards Earth and begin the invasion
  
• Touch interactive elements throughout the story that allow reader to act as Martian or Human
  

To view a clip visit YouTube. To purchase visit Apple’s iTunes store.

In September, the company announced a partnership with Random House to develop book-based children’s Apps for mobile devices.

About Smashing Ideas
Smashing Ideas, founded in 1996, has become one of the leading digital media agencies for the youth market by creating immersive, interactive content that transforms consumer-driven brand experiences in a digital world. Cartoon Network, Disney, GE, Hasbro, Nickelodeon, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Verizon Wireless and more have called upon the Company to develop engaging, online, ITV and mobile experiences for their audiences. Smashing Ideas is based in Seattle, with offices in Portland and in the UK.

Contact:
Carrie Peters, Smashing Ideas
carrie.peters@smashingideas.com
W: 206-378-0100 ext. 121
C: 206-579-3804

Random House Children’s Books expands its publishing program to brings its world-renowned content to new channels of digital distribution

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York, NY September 13, 2010 –Random House, Inc., the largest U.S. trade-book publisher, announced today a partnership with digital media agency Smashing Ideas to develop book-based children’s Apps for mobile devices. Seattle-based Smashing Ideas is a cutting edge developer of immersive, interactive experiences for all screens, building digital products and destinations around brand characters in the children and youth markets. Random House Children’s Books will work in close collaboration with Smashing Ideas’ newly formed ePublishing group—led by the co-creator and developer of the smash hit, Alice for iPad—and with key Random House children’s books authors, illustrators and brands to produce innovative digital products that marry story, design, and technology.

“With App stores being the fastest-growing new channel for digital content, we’re excited to work with an experienced partner to build upon our shared expertise and their exceptional track record in this space,” says Madeline McIntosh, President, Sales, Operations, and Digital at Random House Inc.

“We are thrilled to be working with Random House to build out this category. Random House brings an extraordinary publishing history and a state-of-marketplace understanding of children’s book content, brands and their audiences. By combining their incredible knowledge with our extensive experience in the digital space, we will partner together to create a new frontier of enriching and cutting-edge reading for children,” says Steve Jackson, President and CEO of Smashing Ideas.

“Smashing Ideas is an ideal partner at this most exciting time in children’s publishing,” says Chip Gibson, President and Publisher, Random House Children’s Books. “We’re eager to bring fresh, smart and interactive experiences to our readers and are delighted to be working with such an innovative company on these creations.”

Random House Children’s Books is the world’s largest English-language children’s trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books, novels, and e-books, the imprints of Random House Children’s Books bring together award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous franchise characters, and multimillion-copy series. The company’s Web site, Kids @ Random offers an array of activities, games, and resources for children, teens, parents, and educators. Random House Children’s Books is a division of Random House, Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG, a leading international media company.

About Smashing Ideas
Smashing Ideas, founded in 1996, has become one of the leading digital media agencies for the youth market by creating immersive, interactive content that transforms consumer-driven brand experiences in a digital world. Cartoon Network, Disney, GE, Hasbro, Nickelodeon, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Verizon Wireless and more have called upon the Company to develop engaging, online, ITV and mobile experiences for their audiences. Smashing Ideas is based in Seattle, with offices in Portland and in the UK.

Contact:
Sheila O’Shea, Director of Public Relations,
Digital Initiatives, Random House, Inc.
O: 212-572-2151
M: 917-257-8412
soshea@randomhouse.com

Carrie Peters, Smashing Ideas
carrie.peters@smashingideas.com
W: 206-378-0100 ext. 121
C: 206-579-3804

Adds Ben Roberts, Co-Creator of Alice for the iPad, to the Team

Seattle, WA, September 8, 2010 – Smashing Ideas (www.smashingideas.com), the leading digital media agency providing immersive and interactive entertainment for the youth market, today announced the launch of its ePublishing division. Today’s announcement expands the company’s digital services offerings into the enhanced eBook category for iOS, Android and other emerging platforms.

“We are creating an entirely different approach to developing for the iPad, making the most of the devices’ capabilities, in an effort to create something that is truly unique within the enhanced eBook category,” said Brian Burke, executive director and general manager mobile and devices. “With the growth of eBooks and tablet devices in general, we are really seeing how the landscape is changing. The children’s book market has the potential to rapidly expand its presence with these new devices, and our discussions with the top global publishers continue to validate this evolution in digital publishing. Smashing Ideas is excited to bring a new vision to publishing as well as other industries, in an effort to help create something that is engaging and entertaining for children, their parents and a broader audience.”

“Smashing Ideas has been focused on the youth market for more than fourteen years,” said Steve Jackson, president and CEO of Smashing Ideas. “By building out an ePublishing division, we are solidifying our position as a leading digital agency that continues to innovate and create immersive, interactive content unmatched by others in the industry. Our goal is to bridge the gap between technology and publishing to deliver a new era of enhanced and enriching experiences.”

As part of this effort, Ben Roberts, co-founder of the software design studio behind the sensation Alice for the iPad, has been named director of ePublishing for Smashing Ideas. Roberts, along with partner Chris Stevens, co-developed Alice for the iPad, based on the original book Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. The eBook was one of the top grossing book applications for the iPad in the iTunes store.

Alice for the iPad has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, named “the coolest book app out there” by the Wall Street Journal and the “cleverest iPad book yet” by Gizmodo. The book features full color graphics, 52 pages and 20 animated scenes that feature full screen physics modeling and is available on iTunes for $8.99.

About Smashing Ideas
Smashing Ideas, founded in 1996, has become one of the leading digital media agencies for the youth market by creating immersive, interactive content that transforms consumer-driven brand experiences in a digital world. Cartoon Network, Disney, GE, Hasbro, Nickelodeon, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Verizon Wireless and more have called upon the Company to develop engaging, online, ITV and mobile experiences for their audiences. Smashing Ideas is based in Seattle, with offices in Portland and in the UK.

Contact:
Carrie Peters, Smashing Ideas
carrie.peters@smashingideas.com
W: 206-378-0100 ext. 121
C: 206-579-3804

Seattle, WA, August 13, 2010 – Smashing Ideas, the leading digital media agency providing immersive and interactive entertainment for the youth market, today announced it was named a finalist for Washington’s Best Workplaces by the Puget Sound Business Journal.

The Puget Sound Business Journal award for best workplaces launched in 2007 to identify and recognize best practices in the hiring and retention of great people. After an extensive and rigorous process, which included the completion of surveys by nominee-company employees across the state, workplaces in five different categories—small, medium, large, extra-large company and nonprofit organization— have been identified as Washington’s best, based on their various employee benefit offerings, leadership culture and work/life balance philosophies.

Smashing Ideas also announced new appointments to the management team including Walt Brown, director of business development; Carrie Peters, director of public relations and marketing as well as the promotion of Chad Otis to executive creative director.

“We’re honored to be recognized by the Puget Sound Business Journal’s Best Workplaces,” said Steve Jackson, president and CEO of Smashing Ideas. “Smashing Ideas continues to grow and we’ve recently made several new hires as well as promoted some of our talented designers, developers and illustrators. We continue to build a team that helps strengthen our core focus on the youth market and developing best of breed games, sites and apps as well as broadening services for our clients.”

In addition to management team hires, the company also announced several new hires including Ben Roberts, director of e-Publishing; Bill Wiens, Drupal developer; Eric Goetz as sound designer; Dan Quinn as junior designer; James Prettyman, iPhone developer for mobile and devices group; JB Tellez as developer; Ray Campo as junior designer, mobile and devices, and Tony Patino as developer. Smashing Ideas also announced several internal promotions including Aqui Griffin to developer; and Ashley Bersano to office manager; Carolyn Illman to producer; Eric Leuschner to senior producer; Jon Hunt to developer and Victor Allen to associate technical director.

For more information about Puget Sound Business Journal Washington’s Best Workplaces, visit www.wabestworkplaces.com.

About Smashing Ideas
Smashing Ideas, founded in 1996, has become one of the leading digital media agencies for the youth market by creating immersive, interactive content that transforms consumer-driven brand experiences in a digital world. Cartoon Network, Disney, GE, Hasbro, Nickelodeon, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Verizon Wireless and more have called upon the Company to develop engaging, online, ITV and mobile experiences for their audiences. Smashing Ideas is based in Seattle, with offices in Portland and in the UK.

Contact:
Carrie Peters, Smashing Ideas
carrie.peters@smashingideas.com
W: 206-378-0100 ext. 121
C: 206-579-3804