Courtney Simmons Named Director, Corporate Communications & Public Relations Sony Online Entertainment

Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE), a global leader in the online games industry, today announced that Courtney Simmons has been appointed to the position of Director, Corporate Communications and Public Relations. Simmons will report to Torrie Dorrell, Senior Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing, SOE.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061106/LAM061)

In this role, Simmons will lead a team responsible for SOE's worldwide communications strategy, including the company's product-driven public relations efforts and the management of all corporate communications activities. Simmons will also oversee and manage all public relations activities in support of the company's strategy and brand.

Prior to accepting this executive role, Simmons spent two years as a consultant to SOE, leading various consumer and product PR initiatives. These programs included message development, and managing and executing successful co-op publicity campaigns and new product launches. She also worked closely with the company to arrange talent endorsements and media training in conjunction with SOE's senior management team.

"Courtney's expertise spanning both consumer and corporate public relations, coupled with her familiarity with SOE's complexities and offerings is of tremendous value to us," said Dorrell. "She has a proven track record navigating both the games and the core business side of SOE and I am thrilled she is joining us in this leadership role."

Simmons brings SOE two decades of public relations and corporate communications experience. While operating her own company, she has represented several leading brands including the Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas, Infinite Automotive, MayCo, Paramount Kings Dominion, and Palace Entertainment. Before forming her own company, Simmons was head of PR and government affairs for the LEGOLAND theme park and also spent several years as PR manager for Six Flags Magic Mountain.

About Sony Online Entertainment

Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games, with hundreds of thousands of subscribers around the globe. SOE creates, develops and provides compelling entertainment for the personal computer, online, game console and wireless markets. Known for its blockbuster franchises and hit titles including EverQuest®, EverQuest® II, Champions of Norrath®, Untold Legends™, and PlanetSide®, as well as for developing Star Wars Galaxies™, SOE continues to redefine the business of online gaming and the creation of active player communities while introducing new genres on various entertainment platforms. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, with additional development studios in Austin, TX, Seattle, WA, Denver, CO, and Taiwan, SOE has an array of cutting-edge games in development. SOE is owned by Sony Pictures Digital and Sony Computer Entertainment America.

SOE, the SOE logo, EverQuest and PlanetSide are registered trademarks of Sony Online Entertainment LLC. Untold Legends is a trademark of Sony Online Entertainment LLC. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

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SOURCE: Sony Online Entertainment LLC

CONTACT: Courtney Simmons, Director, Corporate Communications and PR of
Sony Online Entertainment LLC, +1-858-577-3335, csimmons@soe.sony.com