Midway Appoints Martin Spiess Managing Director - Europe
Industry Veteran to Lead Midway's Growth in Europe
CHICAGO - May 13, 2005 - Midway Games Inc. (NYSE: MWY), a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software, today announced that its European publishing subsidiary, Midway Games Ltd., has appointed Martin Spiess as managing director - Europe. Mr. Spiess will report directly to Midway's senior vice president - entertainment, Mark Beaumont. With more than eighteen years of interactive entertainment marketing, sales and management experience, Mr. Spiess will oversee all of Midway's European operations effective immediately. Prior to joining Midway, Mr. Spiess was senior vice president of European marketing at Atari, Inc. Before Atari, Mr. Spiess held senior management positions with Crave and Virgin Interactive.
Mr. Spiess will be based in Midway's European headquarters in London, U.K., and will oversee operations in all PAL territories including Midway's recently established German subsidiary, Midway Games GmbH. He will play a critical role in the expansion of Midway's direct distribution efforts beyond England and Germany.
"Driving growth in the European territories is a major initiative for Midway," said David F. Zucker, president and chief executive officer of Midway. "We consider ourselves very fortunate to have an experienced and talented industry veteran like Martin Spiess running our European operation. This new appointment will allow Midway to continue its strategy of becoming one of the industry's top publishers," added Mr. Zucker.
"Midway has enormous potential for expansion in the European territory, and this is an opportunity to build one of the strongest sales, marketing and distribution companies in the industry," said Martin Spiess. "Midway is committed to working with the best talent in the industry and becoming a publishing force in Europe," added Mr. Spiess.
About Midway
Headquartered in Chicago, IL with offices in San Diego, CA, Seattle, WA, Austin, TX , Los Angeles, CA, Munich, Germany and London, UK, Midway Games Inc. (NYSE: MWY) is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for major video game systems. More information about Midway can be obtained at www.midway.com
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws concerning future business conditions and the outlook for Midway Games Inc. (the "Company") based on currently available information that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the financial strength of the interactive entertainment industry, dependence on new product introductions and the ability to maintain the scheduling of such introductions, the upcoming console platform transition and other technological changes, dependence on major platform manufacturers and other risks more fully described under "Item 1. Business - Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and in the more recent filings made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
For More Information Contact:
Reilly Brennan
Midway Media Relations
773.961.2557
Miguel Iribarren
Midway - Investor Relations
773.961.2222