THQ Announces Superstar Line Up for European Superstar Challenge - MTV's Dave Berry to host
London 11th November 2005, THQ (UK) Ltd., a subsidiary of THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI), today unveiled the WWE® Superstar line up for the 1st annual THQ European Superstar Challenge taking place on 17th November in Manchester. The videogame knockout tournament will feature top WWE RAW® talent including current RAW champion John CenaTM, along with Chris MastersTM, KaneTM and RAW women's champion Trish Stratus®. MTV's Dave Berry and WWE Diva Candice MichelleTM are scheduled to host this exclusive event, which will also include WWE superstars CarlitoTM, VisceraTM, Kerwin WhiteTM and VictoriaTM*.
"With the top RAW talent battling to become the THQ European Superstar Challenge Champion, the 1st annual European Superstar Challenge is guaranteed to be a highlight in WWE fan's calendars," said Richard Williams, THQ's UK Marketing Director.
Each contender will take to the stage in a bid to become king or queen of the console as they grapple head-to-head on the latest WWE videogame - THQ's WWE SmackDown® vs. RAW 2006 - on the Sony Playstation®2 computer entertainment system.
Dave Berry and Candice Michelle will pump up the crowd to create an electric atmosphere as they introduce the contenders for the 1st annual THQ European Superstar Challenge. Berry is best known for his work as the confident and quick witted host of MTV's TRL.
Tickets for the THQ European Superstar Challenge are exclusively available through promotions with THQ's selected media partners.
*WWE Raw talent subject to change or alteration without notice.
For further information about the THQ European Superstar Challenge please contact:
Laura Wilkinson / Fay Burgin
Trilogy Communications
T: 0207 581 9255
Helen Jones / Greg Jones
THQ (UK) Ltd.
T: 01483 767656
E: helenjones@thq.com / greg.jones@thq.com
THQ European Superstar Challenge
The THQ European Superstar Challenge (ESC) is scheduled to take place at Paparazzi, Manchester during the afternoon of 17th November. The event is already being billed as a highlight of WWE fans' calendars. World famous Superstars from WWE's RAW will be playing as their virtual characters in THQ's WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW! 2006 video game in a knockout tournament. Tickets for this event will only be available from competitions placed in conjunction with THQ. The event is strictly for those aged 16 and above. All WWE RAW talent line up is subject to change.
About World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. Additional information on the company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. Information on television ratings and community activities can be found at parents.wwe.com. The names of all World Wrestling Entertainment televised and live programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans and wrestling moves and all World Wrestling Entertainment logos are trademarks which are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
About THQ Inc.
THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located in the United States, United Kingdom, Austria, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Korea and Australia. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com and www.thqwireless.com. THQ, THQ Wireless and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.
About Dave Berry
Dave hosts TRL on MTV. Having joined MTV two years ago he hosted Hit List UK and did some general continuity for the channel, before becoming the first presenter of TRL in the UK, a daily live show with music, big name guests and a studio audience. He will soon be seen hosting The Deadly Knowledge Show on Channel 4 and I'm with the Band for T4. He presented Football Anthems, a one off show for Channel 4 and Pop City Live for Five. He also co-hosted the Tsunami concert from the Millenium dome for Five and most recently hosted CD:UK every Saturday morning for 5 months.
He is such a natural he was able to host live MTV coverage of the EMA's from Barcelona in his first week on the job. He also presented the Boys v Girls Video Clash Live special. Prior to this he was one of Nickelodeon's most popular presenters with his own music show N-List for which he was nominated by BAFTA for best kids presenter alongside Ant and Dec and Cat Deeley. He is a genuine South Londoner with great humour, charm and straight talking style. His interviews are unique and entertaining. With his gorgeous looks and cheeky charm it is certainly not likely to be the only nomination in his career.
Dave is a very confident and quick- witted presenter who is relaxed whether in a studio environment or out on location. He is experienced in both live and pre-recorded presenting and is an accomplished interviewer who is able to get the best out of his guests.
In his younger days Dave modelled for high profile brands such as Ted Baker, French Connection and Toni and Guy but with all his personality it was only a matter of time before his talent was spotted by a freelance cameraman.
Dave's main appeal is that both male and female viewers of all ages enjoy watching him and find him credible, entertaining and inspiring. He has been likened to Dermot O'Leary by Cosmo Magazine so it will not be long before we see a great deal more of him on our television.
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The approval set forth herein is strictly limited to the depiction of WWE intellectual property and associated legal requirements for the protection of WWE intellectual property. Nothing contained herein is intended to be, or is, approval of or agreement with any factual statements about Jakks, THQ, Jakks/THQ.
The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the business of THQ Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as "THQ"), including but not limited to expectations and projections related to the THQ European Superstar Challenge 2005 and the release and features of WWE SmackDown! Vs. RAW! 2006, and are based upon management's beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements, including, but not limited to economic, competitive and technological factors affecting the operations, markets, products, and pricing of THQ. Readers should carefully review the risk factors and the information that could materially affect THQ's financial results, described in other documents that THQ files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2005, and particularly the discussion of risk factors that may affect results of operations set forth therein. Unless otherwise required by law, THQ disclaims any obligation to update its view on any such risks or uncertainties or to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.