Company: Imagination International Corporation, Kent Town, South Australia
Company Description: Imagination International Corporation is a global, multi-platform media and game company that creates, produces and distributes the most compelling interactive entertainment in the world. We distribute products in North America, United Kingdom, Europe and Australia, and under license in 43 countries. Our offices are in the USA, Europe and Australia, employing over 140 people.
Nomination Category: Company & Office Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Most Innovative Company in Asia (Subcontinent, Australia and New Zealand)

Nomination Title: IIC- Adelaide

   1. Tell the story about what this nominated company achieved in the past year (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:

          Imagination International Corporation founder and CEO Shane Yeend invented the
          DVD Game category in 2001, creating content and assisting in the development of
          software which enabled DVD randomization. In 6 years the category has grown to
          encompass 40% of the traditional games market, grossing over $400MM per year
          worldwide. The concept behind DVD games is simple; deliver a gaming experience
          to the consumer that brings the family together in front of the TV in a
          socially interactive, not passive, way. Besides giving the consumer a new way
          to play games on a standard DVD player, this concept ultimately revolutionized
          the traditional game industry.

          Imagination had previously seen success worldwide with such board games
          as “Beat the Parents” and “Battle of the Sexes,” but 2006 was the year that
          really put the company on the map. Last year Imagination increased sales by
          over 400% with its #1 selling DVD game, Deal or No Deal; based on the hit game
          show, selling over 1.5 million units.

          Part of Imagination’s strategy for success is through creative licensing, by
          identifying what may be a hot game property, often before the property itself
          has had exposure in the U.S. (as in the case with Deal or No Deal). The company
          has also seen great success with such licensed titles as Pirates of the
          Caribbean, Press Your Luck, Let’s Make a Deal, Name That Tune and Family Feud,
          and will soon release the DVD game versions of Who Wants to be a Millionaire
          and America’s Funniest Home Videos. The company’s business partnerships include
          global game and entertainment industry giants such as Hasbro, Universal, Disney
          and Nickelodeon.

          Imagination’s innovations in 2006 also extend to the retail marketplace, where
          the company has been successful at developing and marketing “case games;” DVD
          games which are packaged similar to DVD movies. This innovation has made DVD
          games available in not just game aisles, but alongside traditional DVDs as well
          in retailers such as CVS, Target, Walgreens, Bed Bath & Beyond and Linens-N-
          Things, increasing exposure and adding a new revenue stream. 2007 has increased
          distribution to DVD aisles in Blockbuster and Kmart as well.

          Since its inception, the company has since grown into a $150MM business, with
          unique products available in over 85,000 retail outlets worldwide. Imagination
          has offices in the USA, Europe and Australia employing over 140 people, with
          headquarters in Adelaide, Australia. As Imagination continues to grow, the
          company has added TV production, wireless content and gaming-on-demand
          divisions.

   2. List hyperlinks to any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that support the claims made in the section above. IMPORTANT: Begin each link with http://, and enclose each link in square brackets; for example, [http://www.youraddress.com]:

          http://www.imaginationgames.com/services/images/newses/060506_WkendAustrailan.pdf

          http://www.imaginationgames.com/services/images/newses/060715_Advertiser.pdf

          http://www.imaginationgames.com/services/images/newses/0606_Bus_Express.pdf

          http://www.imaginationgames.com/services/images/newses/HowieMandelDealAnnouncementFINAL.pdf

   3. Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the leader of this nominated company:

          Shane Yeend, founder and CEO of Imagination International Corporation, began
          his career over 25 yrs ago as a cameraman in the town of Adelaide, Australia,
          for such programs as A Current Affair and 60 Minutes. After listening to a
          radio version of “Battle of the Sexes,” Mr. Yeend decided to trademark the
          game, developing the property into a global best seller. After surviving the
          dot.com bust, Mr. Yeend created the concept of “interactive entertainment,”
          combining the excitement of social game interaction with television and DVDs.