THQ NAMED
NICKELODEON’S MASTER INTERACTIVE LICENSEE
Exclusive Worldwide Agreement
Includes All Existing and Future Individual Properties On Every Game System
Through 2005
CALABASAS HILLS, CA –
February 13, 2002 –
Nickelodeon today named THQ Inc. (NASDAQ NMS: THQI) master interactive
licensee for several of Nickelodeon leading properties. THQ now holds
exclusive, worldwide interactive rights to publish games based on all existing
and future individual Nickelodeon animated TV and movie properties targeting
kids ages 6-11 on every game system through 2005. Game systems include those
manufactured by Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft, as well as PC.
“As the fastest growing
category in all of entertainment, interactive is a very important segment of
Nickelodeon’s consumer product business,” stated Leigh Anne Brodsky, Senior
Vice President, Nickelodeon Consumer Products. “Our ongoing success working
with THQ over the past four years has proven that their game development
expertise and global marketing and distribution force are unparalleled in the
interactive space. We look forward to creating an even greater presence for
Nickelodeon in the interactive market through this new deal.”
“Our master deal allows us to
expand the Nickelodeon interactive business with strategic brand management
and greater promotional and marketing support through Nickelodeon’s
multi-media network,” stated Jeff Lapin, Vice Chairman and COO, THQ. “We are
delighted to be entering this exceptional relationship during a period of
tremendous growth for the category.”
THQ and
Nickelodeon broke into the kids gaming market in 1998 with their first Rugrats
releases for Game Boy, PlayStation and Nintendo 64. Today, total
Nickelodeon-licensed videogame sales exceed $250 million at retail worldwide.
The companies have approximately 20 games in development for release in 2002
across nearly every game system. Their “videogame first” agreement is the
first of its kind, combining the creative and marketing expertise of both
companies to develop a property for initial release in the interactive space
with the express intent of bringing the property to TV and movie.
For more information about
upcoming THQ and Nickelodeon projects and other THQ initiatives, please visit
www.thq.com.
About Nickelodeon:
Nickelodeon,
now in its 23rd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has
built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does.
The company includes television programming and production in the United
States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation,
books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is
seen in more than 84 million households and has been the number-one-rated
basic-cable network for more than six consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all
related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International
Inc.
About THQ:
THQ Inc. develops and publishes
interactive entertainment software worldwide for a variety of hardware
platforms including PC CD-ROM, wireless devices, and those manufactured by
Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft. The THQ web site is located at
www.thq.com.
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