THQ Wireless, The NFL and Players Inc Team Up For Wireless MVP Vote During Telecast Of Super Bowl XXXIX
Major Sports Leagues Continue to Choose THQ’s Mobile Applications Powered By MINICK USA to Interact with Fans via Text Message Campaigns
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
27 January 2005 - THQ Wireless Inc., a subsidiary of THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI), announced today a new text messaging campaign with the National Football League (NFL) and PLAYERS INC for the most valuable player (MVP) during the Super Bowl XXXIX telecast on Sunday, February 6, 2005 on FOX. The cross-carrier promotion is powered by THQ Wireless' mobile messaging arm, MINICK USA, and allows fans nationwide to cast their vote for the game's MVP via their wireless device. On game day, broadcasters are expected to announce the promotion where fans can text "MVP" to 88288 to receive voting instructions.
"This announcement marks THQ Wireless' second premium messaging campaign with the NFL and PLAYERS INC and speaks to the growing trend of sports leagues utilizing cutting-edge mobile applications to interact with their fans," said Tim Walsh, president of THQ Wireless. "We are pleased to offer our partners the opportunity to expand their wireless offerings through MINICK with its proven strength and experience hosting large-volume TV voting campaigns."
MINICK, who launched its U.S. operations back in August of 2004, is a leading service provider for TV related messaging applications in Europe and its applications and infrastructure are uniquely tailored to support high volumes of messages and billing transactions. MINICK has successfully enabled Premium SMS voting campaigns for high profile TV shows such as Big Brother, Pop Idol and the MTV European Music Awards.
"The NFL continues to work with THQ Wireless to create innovative mobile voting campaigns that allow fans to be a part of the action," said Evan Kamer, senior director, new media for the NFL. "The Super Bowl MVP vote is a critical part of the game day experience and we expect fans across the country to participate."
"Wireless is one of the most innovative new technologies to come along that has really allowed fans to get the NFL experience from anywhere at anytime," said LaShun Lawson of PLAYERS INC. "Whether at home or at a Super Bowl party, fans can make a difference by voting for the best player on the field on football's biggest day of the year."
About THQ Wireless:
THQ Wireless Inc., a subsidiary of THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI), is a global leader in mobile entertainment, offering a wide range of wireless products, including games, personalization products, information services and messaging based on top licenses such as the WWETM, Star Wars, popular Nickelodeon properties and professional sports leagues including the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB and the NHRA. In addition to wireless entertainment products, THQ Wireless' controlling interest in MINICK gives the company access to one of the largest premium messaging networks in the world in order to offer a broad range of services from content distribution to mobile marketing campaigns and place the company at the forefront of this rapidly growing messaging market. Headquartered in Calabasas, California, THQ Wireless has offices worldwide, in addition to distribution agreements through wireless carriers across the globe. Further information can be found at www.thqwireless.com.
About THQ:
THQ Inc. is a leading, worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for a variety of hardware platforms including those manufactured by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Nintendo and Microsoft as well as PC CD-ROM and wireless devices. The THQ web site is located at www.thq.com. THQ, THQ Wireless and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.
About PLAYERS INC
Formed in 1994, PLAYERS INC is the for-profit licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association. Representing over 1,800 active and 3,000 retired NFL players, PLAYERS INC "takes the helmets off" the players and markets them as personalities as well as professional athletes. PLAYERS INC activities include retail licensing, corporate sponsorships, special events, radio and television projects, publishing and other promotional programs. PLAYERS INC schedules more than 3,500 NFL player appearances each year. For more information, please visit www.nflplayers.com.
About MINICK:
MINICK is the pioneer of interactive mobile applications and infrastructure solutions. Founded in 1994, MINICK develops and operates mobile services for network operators such as Vodafone, T-Mobile, Telefonica, and Orange, for media companies such as MTV, RTL Newmedia, Endemol, Warner Bros., Universal Music and Sony Music as well as for corporate clients in mobile direct and dialogue marketing. The company has built one of the largest premium messaging networks in Europe and North America, and operates its own SMS and MMS centers with direct connections to the mobile networks. MINICK has offices in Germany, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. More information can be found at www.minick.net.
This press release may contain "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 the features related to the Super Bowl mobile balloting campaign, 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, services and pricing of THQ. 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 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 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2004, and particularly the discussion of risk factors that may affect results of operations set forth therein. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
Louise Gabriel
THQ Wireless Public Relations
+44 1483 227 336
Julie MacMedan
THQ Investor Relations
818-871-5095