Gizmondo(tm) and MTV Networks Europe Launch Multi-Level Sponsorship Alliance
Gizmondo to sponsor MTV at the Movies and MTV Europe Music Awards 2005 reaching 124 million households
London 7th April 2005: Gizmondo Europe Ltd, subsidiary of Jacksonville, Florida-based Tiger Telematics Inc. (OTC: TGTL ; OTC: TGTL.PK), is set to sponsor MTV Europe's pan-European movie initiative 'MTV at the Movies' as well as becoming an official sponsor of Europe's premier live music event, the 'MTV Europe Music Awards 2005', as part of its strategy to build its brand identity with young people across Europe. The multi-million dollar, twelve-month partnership will launch on 1 May 2005.
As sponsors of 'MTV at the Movies' Gizmondo will become pan-European sponsors of 'MTV Making the Movie' programming and the MTV Movie Awards 2005. 'MTV Making the Movie' is the essential guide for movie buffs showcasing an eclectic mix of movie reviews, interview exclusives and behind-the-scenes coverage of the hottest film releases in Europe. In addition the MTV Movie Awards are filmed annually in the USA and take an irreverent look at the movie industry. The ceremony features unusual categories such as Best Kiss, Best On-Screen Team, and Best Villain, along with musical performances and celebrity presenters. The on-air and online sponsorship of 'MTV at the Movies' will go live on May 1 and will simultaneously run across MTV Networks Europe and MTV's network of 11 localised European websites for twelve months.
The one-year deal includes on-air sponsorship branding comprising of billboards attached to all 'MTV at the Movies' programming and, promos and dedicated Gizmondo ad spots running across MTV Europe's 124 million households. In addition Gizmondo will be sponsors of the 'MTV at the Movies' website which is available via MTV's 11 European websites. The online campaign will include brand integration across all 11 sites, which will contain complementary content to MTV Making the Movies and the MTV Movie Awards on-air programming.
In addition to sponsoring 'MTV at the Movies', Gizmondo is to become an official sponsor of MTV Europe's premier sponsorship opportunity, the MTV Europe Music Awards 2005. Set to air live from the prestigious Atlantic Pavilion, Lisbon, on 3 November to a potential worldwide audience of more than 1 billion people, Gizmondo will take advantage of a host of fully integrated pan-European marketing opportunities. Key elements include on-air billboards throughout the show, pan-European on-air competition and promotional spots, online opportunities including logo and banner presence across MTV's network of 11 localised MTV Europe Music Awards microsites, inclusion on all MTV Europe Music Awards pan-European marketing and PR campaigns, and full integration across all MTV Europe Music Awards surround events in the lead up to the show. All sponsors will also have the opportunity to use the MTV Europe Music awards 2005 logo in their own promotional activity.
Commented Dave Sibley, SVP & General Manager, International Marketing Partnerships, MTV Networks Europe: "This multi-level partnership offers the perfect synergy between MTV Europe and Gizmondo. MTV Europe is renowned for its credible music and youth programming whilst Gizmondo undoubtedly takes mobile entertainment to a new level. Gizmondo's leadership as a multi-entertainment device, and particularly as a movie player, lends itself well to the MTV At The Movies proposition and this, combined with sponsorship of the glittering MTV Europe Music Awards, will offer Gizmondo multiple opportunities to benefit from MTV's unique audience connection, content and multi-platform marketing expertise."
The Gizmondo is powered by Microsoft Windows CE advanced real-time operating system, boasting a 2.8-inch TFT colour screen with a Samsung ARM9 400Mhz processor and incorporates the GoForce 3D 4500 NVIDIA graphics accelerator. It provides cutting-edge gaming, multimedia messaging, an MP3 music player, Mpeg4 movie playing capability, a digital camera and a GPRS network link to allow wide-area network gaming. Additionally, it contains a GPS chip for location-based services, is equipped with Bluetooth for use in multi-player gaming and accepts SD and MMC card accessories. Furthermore Gizmondo users can opt in to a revolutionary new 'added value' system called Smart AddsTM, which will feature offers not available to the wider public. In the coming months, Gizmondo plans to tap into MTV Europe's media expertise to help develop the Smart AddsTM proposition for the business audience, more news will be announced shortly
Carl Freer, Co-founder and Chairman of Tiger Telematics, Gizmondo's parent company, added: " MTV Europe's core entertainment values are synonymous with Gizmondo's ethos for delivering music, movie and entertainment content. The awards celebrate best-in-category achievements and we're proud to be associated."
The Gizmondo device and its games are in retail stores now in the UK, and in North American and Continental Europe markets from Spring 2005
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
Polly Stevens/Suzi Lancaster/ Syreeta Clarke
MTV Networks Europe
Tel: +44 (0)207 478 6615/6716/6427
Email:stevens.polly@mtvne.com/lancaster.suzi@mtvne.com/clarke.syreeta@mtvne.com
James Beaven
Gizmondo
Tel: +44 (0)208 964 4545
Email: James@indigopearl.com
MTV Networks Europe
MTV Europe is Europe's largest 24-hour music television network, reaching more than 124 million households in 48 territories via terrestrial, cable, satellite, digital, and broadband. MTV Europe currently comprises the following channels brands: MTV España, MTV European (an English language channel serving 24 countries including Czech Republic, Israel and Turkey), MTV France (serving France, Belgium & French speaking Switzerland), MTV Central (serving Germany, Austria and German speaking Switzerland), MTV2 Pop (pop channel in Germany), MTV Italia, MTV NL, MTV Nordic, MTV Polska, MTV Classic (a second bespoke music television channel targeting Polish viewers aged 25-40), MTV Portugal, MTV Romania, MTV UK & Ireland, Digital channel brands available in the UK include MTV Dance, MTV Base, MTV Hits, MTV2, VH1 Classic, VH2 and TMF UK with MTV Base, MTV Hits, MTV2, VH1 European and VH1 European Classic available in Europe. The MTV Networks Europe portfolio also comprises TMF in Holland, TMF Flanders and French video game channel Game 1 plus 10 Nickelodeon branded kids' channels and Paramount Comedy in the UK, Italy and Spain. All brands are fully localised and specifically tailored to satisfy the tastes and nuances of each market.
About Tiger Telematics and Gizmondo Europe
Gizmondo Europe Ltd. is an owned subsidiary of Tiger Telematics Inc (OTC: TGTL) and is the maker of Gizmondo, a next-generation mobile entertainment device. Launched in 2004, the gaming device includes built-in music, video, messaging and picture functions and GPS.
Tiger Telematics is a designer, developer and marketer of mobile telematics systems and services that combine global GPS functions and voice recognition technology to locate and track vehicles and people down to street level in countries throughout the world. The systems are designed to operate on GPS and are currently being marketed to GSM current and potential subscribers, primarily by the company's United Kingdom based subsidiaries.