MTV Goes All In With Myelin Media For Stacked™ With Daniel Negreanu
Unique Alliance to Bring High Stakes World of Poker On-air, Online, and Various Other Platforms
New York, NY - July 6th, 2005 - MTV and MTV Games, the new interactive entertainment division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIAB), today announced a unique strategic alliance with Myelin Media, LLC, a publisher of interactive entertainment software for STACKEDTM with Daniel Negreanu[1], a Texas Hold 'em game scheduled for release in Fall 2005 for the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft Corporation, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSPTM (PlayStation®Portable) system from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., and the PC. MTV and Myelin will be working together to deliver the high-paced action and experience of poker to the MTV audience via on-air, online, mobile and other platforms, as well as developing programming based on the STACKED brand to air around the time of the release of the game. MTV.com will serve as the official online site of STACKED on all platforms. Under the deal, MTV is also able to participate in a revenue sharing structure.
"Following on our recent series of exciting gaming announcements, this unparalleled alliance for Myelin Media's STACKED with Daniel Negreanu represents a complete evolution in the world of poker and represents another exciting addition to the MTV Games family," stated Jeff Yapp, MTV Networks Music and LOGO Enterprise Group. "With the popularity of Texas Hold 'Em as the hottest poker game of choice amongst celebrities, athletes, hardcore and casual players alike, we are looking forward to bringing this new, fun and technically brilliant experience of poker, video games, and some of the world's top professional poker players to our extremely savvy audience via various broadcast platforms across the MTV networks including MTV, MTV2, mtvU and much more."
"We are extremely excited to collaborate with MTV for STACKED with Daniel Negreanu," said Gene Mauro, CEO of Myelin Media, LLC "The promotional power of MTV and their ability to integrate across various platforms allows us to bring STACKED and the poker phenomenon to a truly diverse audience. Through the various planned MTV / STACKED co-branded initiatives on-air and online, we will be able to give players the opportunity to enjoy poker in a whole, new way all from the comfort of their homes."
"STACKED and MTV are a perfect fit," stated Daniel Negreanu. "I've been a huge MTV junkie for years because they bring the latest, emerging trends to the public. STACKED is what's hot in poker right now and we are extremely excited to take this phenomenon to the masses."
STACKED with Daniel Negreanu is the first video game to bring next-generation gameplay and broadcast quality production to Texas Hold 'em Poker. Learn everything from the fundamentals to advanced strategies from poker's premiere player and refine your game against the world's most advanced artificial intelligence system before testing your skills in massive online tournaments. STACKED will feature its own sanctioned multi-table tournament system called "STACKED Masters" and will also include involvement from the seven professional players associated with the game, providing the most in-depth online play and community experience for any poker video game. Through MTV.com, players will be able to participate in the official STACKED sanctioned online tournaments including special challenges with the pros as well as view tournament standings and game play stats. MTV.com will also host a community where STACKED players can share and compare their game play, challenge other players and interact with the pros. This initiative with Myelin for Stacked further extends MTV.com's coverage of Video Games and follows the recent launch of Video Games on MTV.com -- a focused home for Gamers on MTV.com.
[1] This game does not enable wagering with real money.
About MTV Games
Dedicated to incubating, producing and promoting unique and creative gaming experiences that resonate with MTV's audience, MTV Games will work in-house through its newly created interactive entertainment studio, along with industry partners, to produce and market original video game titles. MTV Games will develop original game franchises in partnership with independent game developers. In addition, the division will forge strategic marketing partnerships with game publishers to connect with the MTV audience across multiple platforms. MTV will work closely with publishers, leveraging its unique brand and marketing capabilities to maximize the success of each MTV Games release.
About MTV
MTV Networks owns and operates the cable television programming services MTV: Music Television, MTV2, mtvU, Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite, TV Land, VH1, CMT: Country Music Television, Comedy Central, and Spike TV, as well as The Digital Suite from MTV Networks, a package of thirteen digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also operates and offers joint ventures, licensing agreements and syndication deals whereby its programming can be seen worldwide.
About Myelin Media
Myelin Media, LLC. is a privately funded entertainment software publisher headquartered in New York City. Established in March 2004, Myelin aims to bring unique game content to consumers by empowering developer creativity. Visit www.myelinmedia.com for more information.
About Xbox
Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/) is Microsoft's future-generation video game system that delivers the most powerful games experiences ever. Xbox empowers game artists by giving them the technology to fulfill their creative visions as never before, creating games that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Xbox is now available in North America at the suggested retail price of $149.99.
® 2005 Myelin Media, LLC. All rights reserved. STACKED is the trademark of Myelin Media, LLC. Xbox is the registered trademark and property of Microsoft Corporation. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks and PSP is a trademark of SCEI. Memory Stick DuoTM may be required (sold separately). All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
CONTACTS:
Jeff Castaneda
MTV Communications
212-846-6774
Kit Ellis
Kohnke Communications
415-777-4000