DURHAM, N.C., Feb. 14, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alloy Digital, a leading next generation media company for the 12-34 demographic and a Top-10 ranked video network, today announced that its multiple award-winning video gaming lifestyle website The Escapist will host the second annual Escapist Expo, a premier consumer convention centered around gaming culture, from October 4-6, 2013 in Durham, North Carolina.

"The first year of the Escapist Expo truly exceeded our expectations and brought enthusiastic response from the gaming community," commented The Escapist Editor-in-Chief Susan Arendt. "We're thrilled to be able to bring the event back! It promises to be even bigger than last year and we look forward to bringing great energy to the city of Durham."

For the second year, the Escapist Expo will partner with Global Spectrum, the management company for the Durham Convention Center, building upon the marked success of its three-day inaugural event celebrating contemporary video gaming lifestyle and diverse global video game culture. Close to 6,000 attendees from around the globe participated in dynamic and varied offerings, including gaming industry expert keynotes and panel discussions, game publisher exhibitors and dealers, anime and cosplay specialists, visual artists, tabletop gaming, comic and graphic novel dealers, and both live- and electronic-game play competitions.

"The Escapist Expo is the physical embodiment of our 'video games-as-a-culture' ethos," said Alexander Macris, SVP of Alloy Digital and General Manager of The Escapist. "We think of the event as a three-day escape from the everyday and an ideal opportunity to bring together a growing and extremely passionate global gaming community." 

The Escapist Expo will once again invite volunteers to participate and experience the event through "The Hard Corps" program. 

To become a sponsor, exhibitor, or to volunteer, please visit the Escapist Expo at www.escapistexpo.com and sign up for the newsletter for event updates and scheduled activities.

About The Escapist

The Escapist offers a daily escape from the everyday for its worldwide audience of over 4.8 million gamers and entertainment enthusiasts. A multiple Webby Award-winning Internet media publication, The Escapist delivers varied and comprehensive content that attracts the attention of core gamers, developers, and industry insiders alike. With exclusive web video series, cutting edge feature articles, and custom social media events, The Escapist has built a vibrant and dedicated audience and community that is highly influential and deeply engaged, spending an average of 6.3 minutes on site during every visit.

Founded in 2005, The Escapist has grown to become a leading voice in video game culture and the modern day interests and lifestyle of the internet generation, delivering proprietary offerings to the coveted 12-34 male demographic with over 10 million video streams and 40 million page views a month. Its newly-launched gaming and gaming culture expo, the Escapist Expo, brought in 5,600 attendees in its first year.

About Alloy Digital

Under one roof, Alloy Digital boasts the critical assets for a multi-platform, next generation media company targeting the highly-coveted, early-adopter 12-34 year-old demographic -- Generate's cost-effective development, production and talent management, premium original programming from creators such as Smosh and Clevver, distribution across Alloy Digital's top-ranked network of media platforms and monetization through sponsorship, ad sales, social media and promotion. Alloy Digital's proprietary digital media network has ranked top in its category for more than three consecutive years, according to comScore, and attracts more than 90MM consumers each month with reach to over 57% of P12-34 internet users. Alloy Digital holds its position as offering a top-10 video network which delivers several hundred million monthly streams and includes award-winning Smosh, the #1 YouTube channel, as well as Shut Up! Cartoons, one of the fastest-growing YouTube premium channels. The network has attracted over 30MM followers combined across its dedicated social media profiles. Alloy Digital delivers digital campaigns for FORTUNE 500 advertisers and has received multiple industry accolades, including the prestigious ADVERTISING AGE Media Vanguard, an OMMA Award and a DIGIDAY Video Award.

The Alloy Digital logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=17175