MTV sponsorship and 21 new stores for Giz
Tiger Telematics has announced a multi-million dollar MTV sponsorship deal for new handheld Gizmondo, along with plans to open 21 further flagship stores at locations across the globe.
Gizmondo Ltd will sponsor the MTV Europe Music Awards 2005 along with the 'MTV at the Movies' initiative as part of its strategy to "build a brand identity with young people across Europe."
The 12-month deal will take effect from May 1 and includes billboards, promos and dedicated ad spots running across MTV Europe's 124 million households. Brand integration will also feature on localised MTV websites. The Gizmondo will have a strong presence at the MTV Europe Awards, which takes place in Lisbon on November 3.
"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," said MTV Networks Europe executive Dave Sibley.
"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."
In addition to the MTV deal, Tiger Telematics revealed details of plans to set up a network of flagship Gizmondo stores.
The company described the retail launch of its Regent Street shop last month as "highly successful" and said it would now support the console's global roll-out with the opening of more stores "in premium, high-footfall retail locations of major cities."
All the Gizmondo shops will feature areas dedicated to the handheld's six core functions: gaming, movies, music, camera applications, messaging and GPS technology. This will let users "explore and experience what the amazing convergence device can do," said Tiger.
The new store locations are: Barcelona, Beijing, Birmingham, Capetown, Chicago, Dubai, Hamburg, Las Vegas, Liverpool, Los Angeles, Luxembourg, Miami, Milan, Monte Carlo, Moscow, New York, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco, Shanghai and Stockholm.
"The performance of the London store has far exceeded our expectations, so much so that it's no wonder other gaming platforms have followed our lead," said Tiger Telematics co-founder and chairman Carl Freer.
"The new Gizmondo stores will be opening over the next 12 months, starting with New York's Times Square, which is one of the most highly-prized retail locations in the world."
At present the Gizmondo is only available in the UK, with a launch in Ireland planned for April 19. Launches in North America and Continental Europe are slated to follow soon after.