Interactive Studio Management Acquires Bizdev

Interactive Studio Management, a representation firm for game developers, has acquired Bizdev, Inc., an interactive business agency. This acquisition, together with a buyout of Digital Development Management earlier in 2005, makes ISM one of the largest agencies focusing on interactive entertainment. The representation ISM offers is slightly different than the sort of creative representation offered by an outfit like Creative Artists Agency, where Seamus Blackley arrived after leaving Microsoft Game Studios. CAA focuses on making connections between Hollywood talent and game studios, such as Al Pacino's role in Vivendi's Scarface or the majority of the cast members in EA's Godfather. ISM's take is that they represent developers in their dealings with publishers. ISM's past clients have included Digital Illusions CE, makers of the Battlefield games; Silicon Knights, developers of Eternal Darkness; and others. Dan Lee Rogers, the founding CEO of BizDev, will remain part of ISM in an unspecified executive role. Bob Jacob, co-founder of ISM, said that "BizDev’s strength in negotiations and acquisitions combined with ISM’s strength in sales and reputation allow us to provide our clients with the highest level of representation available today."