Katzenberg joins Zynga board

Social game maker Zynga is shoring up its Hollywood ties.

Dreamworks Animation CEO Jeffery Katzenberg has joined the company's board of directors. The move is the latest in a series of moves by Zynga to align itself with the broader entertainment industry.

“Jeffrey redefined storytelling when he launched DreamWorks Animation,” said Mark Pincus, founder and CEO of Zynga in a statement. “He turned an independent studio into a brand name, and his vision will be an asset as we work to define the future of play.”

Katzenberg joins an all-star board, which already includes former EA executive Bing Gordon and venture capitalist Brad Feld. The appointment is effective immediately.

Zynga and DreamWorks first worked together last year, promoting "Megamind" through an in-game promotion in "FarmVille". And the collaboration could help the company tie into other studios looking to capitalize on the rising social gaming genre.

Zynga, for its part, made the public announcement with its tongue firmly planted in cheek, as usual.

"DreamWorks Animation is a revolutionary technology company, a recognized consumer brand, and at its core, a media company," the company wrote on its blog. "It’s easy to see the value that Jeffrey will add to Zynga as we grow and look for more ways to delight our players. … I'm looking forward to his guidance, his leadership, and about 1,500 tickets to the opening night of 'Kung Fu Panda 2'."