Some big news was mentioned earlier today — one of Club Penguin’s three founders, Lane Merrifield (primary known as Billybob), has officially left the Club Penguin team after working with Disney since 2006. This news is completely shocking to Club Penguin fans around the world as it was completely unexpected. The other co-founders of Club Penguin are Lance Priebe (Rsnail, who has also left) and Dave Krysko (Gizmo). More information concerning our post “Club Penguin’s Co-Founder Billybob Departs” can be found below.
Club Penguin’s Co-Founder Billybob Departs
The rattling news was made official by an All Things D article published on October 17th, 2012. Sources say Lane Merrifield sent a letter to Disney along to all his employees. The exact letter can be read below.
To my friends at Disney:
Five years ago our little company joined Disney and I had no idea then what an amazing adventure it would turn out to be. Since that time, I have had the privilege of working alongside and learning from so many of you and the joy of creating great products together. I appreciate the opportunity and the faith this company placed in me and the ways it has allowed me to grow both as a leader and as a person. I am also grateful for the countless memories this company has created for me and my family. Our team has grown Club Penguin from a simple idea to being the largest global virtual world for kids for seven straight years while maintaining a significant profit margin. I am incredibly proud to have been a part of Club Penguin, and I know that it will continue to grow and thrive.
Like many entrepreneurs though, there comes a time when the desire to create something new outweighs the comfort of what’s known and for me that time has come.
Over the past year, I’ve invested in a new educational startup called FreshGrade that focuses on creating mobile cloud-based assessment software for teachers and students and it has reached a place where more of my time is needed. We started Club Penguin in order to enhance our children’s online experience and now I hope to do the same with their educational experience.
Thank you for the role you’ve played in my journey and I truly hope that even though my business card may change, my friendship with so many of you will not.
With gratitude,
Lane
Lane Merrifield will be continuing to help Club Penguin until February 2013. As mentioned in his letter above, Lane is apparently working on a new project called FreshGrade, which focuses on creating mobile cloud-based assessment software for teachers and students and it has reached a place where more of my time is needed.
