Mobile social network PlayPhone acquires marketing firm SocialHour

Newsbrief: Smartphone social gaming network PlayPhone has acquired social marketing firm SocialHour, with the aim to create promotions across its recently launched mobile games platform. The San Jose, Califonia-based company launched its social gaming network for iOS and Android smartphones in December last year, with the goal to take on Gree's popular OpenFeint network. Last month it expanded the network to Windows Phone 7 devices. According to Ron Czerny, chief executive of PlayPhone, and as reported by Venturebeat, the company has now acquired SocialHour for $51.5 million in stock, explaining, "They have a very sophisticated program for marketing and lead generation on mobile devices."