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Asam Ahmad Senior PR Manager, THQ asam@thq.com T: +44 1483 767656 F: +44 1483 770727 |
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Mary Nelson Garrett Investor Relations, THQ T: +1 818 871 5090 |
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Julian Payne Sky Publicity julian.payne@bskyb.com T: +44 20 7805 7305 |
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The deal sees THQ take sole sponsorship with 15-second credits at the start and end of each WWF programme, as well as 5-second ‘bumpers’ either side of each advertising break. In addition, the deal encompasses branding across all promotional spots for WWF programming across Sky. The agreement runs for a 12 month period and launched on April 1, 2001.
Highlight of the deal is the broadcast sponsorship for the forthcoming WWF UK-based Pay-Per-View events WWF Insurrextion and WWF Rebellion. For both events the deal includes the live broadcast as well as accreditation across all on-air promotional activity associated with the event, which includes substantial branding across Sky channels through the build-up to the actual PPV events.
THQ intends to use these promotional opportunities to bolster marketing activity for both existing and forthcoming WWF games including WWF SmackDown! Platinum for PlayStation™, the eagerly anticipated WWF SmackDown! 3 (working title) for PlayStation 2™ and hand-held games based on the WWF licence.
Ian Curran, Managing Director, THQ (UK/Export), commented, "THQ is pleased to have forged such a strong alliance with Sky in the UK. The deal is a reflection of our belief in the WWF brand and its strength going forwards. We are excited about this relationship and are looking forward to making the most of the opportunity over the next 12 months."
THQ originally sponsored the WWF Rebellion PPV event in December last year as an integral part of the launch strategy for the smash hit WWF SmackDown! 2 for PlayStation. "The pre-awareness for the release that we achieved through the sponsorship of Rebellion was a key factor in the successful launch of the game," commented Richard Williams, THQ’s UK Marketing Manager. “WWF SmackDown! 2 became the fastest selling video game ever to be launched in the UK, which is testament to the value of the brand and indeed the avid fan-base which Sky TV services so well.”
"Sky is the best place for WWF fans watch their favourite sport and this kind of close association can only be achieved through sponsorship. It will allow us to build a direct relationship with our core market,” added Williams.
Mark Gibson, Sponsorship Controller at Sky, commented, “We are delighted that THQ has chosen Sky as long-term partner to build an association with WWF. Sky is the natural home of WWF in the UK and THQ the perfect sponsor.”
Steve Smythson at Miller Advertising who introduced the deal on behalf of THQ, says "the sponsorship will not only help with the continuing success of the WWF range of products but will also raise awareness of THQ to a mass-market teen audience."
About World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with sale offices in New York City, Chicago and Toronto. The company is an equal partner with NBC in the XFL, a new professional football league. The company can be found online at wwf.com and wwfecorpbiz.com.
About BSkyB
British Sky Broadcasting is Europe's leading broadband entertainment company - delivering sports, movies, entertainment and news to around 10 million households throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The launch of the UK's first digital television service, Sky digital, on 1 October 1998, signalled the start of a new era in British broadcasting. It remains the fastest, most successful roll-out of any digital TV service in Europe, offering more than 200 channels to 4.7 million digital customers at the end of December 2000. Sky has launched award-winning revolutionary interactive TV services: Sky Sports Extra, Sky News Active and Open. The company has also introduced mobile services and brought Britain's first Personal Television Recorder to market. Further information about Sky can be found on the internet at www.sky.com/corporate.
About THQ
THQ International Ltd is a division of THQ Inc. (NASDAQ NMS:THQI) and develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software worldwide for a variety of hardware platforms including PC CD-ROM, and those manufactured by Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft. The THQ site is located at www.thq.com.
World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with sale offices in New York City, Chicago and Toronto. The company is an equal partner with NBC in the XFL, a new professional football league. The company can be found online at wwf.com and wwfecorpbiz.com.
About BSkyB
British Sky Broadcasting is Europe's leading broadband entertainment company - delivering sports, movies, entertainment and news to around 10 million households throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The launch of the UK's first digital television service, Sky digital, on 1 October 1998, signalled the start of a new era in British broadcasting. It remains the fastest, most successful roll-out of any digital TV service in Europe, offering more than 200 channels to 4.7 million digital customers at the end of December 2000. Sky has launched award-winning revolutionary interactive TV services: Sky Sports Extra, Sky News Active and Open. The company has also introduced mobile services and brought Britain's first Personal Television Recorder to market. Further information about Sky can be found on the internet at www.sky.com/corporate.
About THQ
THQ International Ltd is a division of THQ Inc. (NASDAQ NMS:THQI) and develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software worldwide for a variety of hardware platforms including PC CD-ROM, and those manufactured by Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft. The THQ site is located at www.thq.com.
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This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company's business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors including those described above and the following: changes in demand for the Company's products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing and difficulties encountered in the integration of acquired businesses. In addition, such statements could be affected by growth rates and market conditions relating to the interactive software industry and general domestic and international economic conditions. Specific information concerning these and other such factors is contained in the Company's most recent report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on November 13, 2000. A copy of this filing may be obtained by contacting the Company or the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.