- MAZDASPEED3 Will Be Integrated Into the Video Game and Will Be Part of a Nationwide Campaign in Conjunction With GameStop and EB Games Stores - IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- David Teichner, Chief Executive Officer of Channel M, the largest non-traditional media company in the world and leading provider of retail marketing services, announced today that the new MAZDASPEED3 will be part of a unique marketing program involving the much anticipated Electronic Arts video game Need for Speed(TM) Carbon, available in stores across North America on November 1. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061026/LATH103 ) Challenged by Mazda's marketing team to develop a fully integrated campaign, Channel M worked with all parties to create what is an extremely powerful and comprehensive campaign involving a sponsor and a videogame company. The MAZDASPEED3 will be integrated into the upcoming Need for Speed Carbon game and Channel M is spearheading a campaign to drive sales in GameStop and EB Games stores nationwide. Components of Channel M's unique campaign include; heavy Mazda in-game exposure, an in-store Need for Speed Carbon pre-order campaign in GameStop and EB Games stores providing consumers the opportunity to win great prizes including a MAZDASPEED3 car. In addition, there will be month long mall events in 16 markets where a car will be on display and consumers can compete in an organized tournament to win tickets to attend a party and compete in a final championship tournament in Las Vegas, where the winner will drive off in a new MAZDASPEED3. For contest rules please consult http://www.mazdaspeed3.com/ . In-store and online media will support the program including custom spots and content to air on Channel M's original hosted TV programs broadcast on GameStop and EB Games in-store TV networks nationwide, custom branded retail bags with artwork of the game and car, retail bag inserts, signage and online exposure. Channel M will also be filming some of the events and will be providing that video with other EA-generated in-game assets to be hosted on Mazda's website for consumers to view. David Teichner, CEO for Channel M stated, "Never has a campaign featured so many consumer touch points as this one. With significant in-game placement, in-store media, sweepstakes, cars in malls, tournaments in malls and a final event in Vegas, this is the most comprehensive videogame integration campaign yet created. I am thrilled that my team at Channel M has the opportunity to put this program together from its inception to execution. It's a huge win for everyone involved and is truly a historic marketing campaign putting together four great names with our company, Mazda, GameStop, EB Games and EA." "The 263-hp, 155-mph MAZDASPEED3 kicks asphalt and takes names, and Need for Speed Carbon is the perfect way for us to bring this exciting new vehicle to market in an all-new way," said Jim Jordan, Alternative Marketing Manager for Mazda North American Operations. "We already attract one of the youngest new-car buyers in the industry, and with the assistance of EA, Channel M and GameStop, we intend to continue that trend." "We're excited to be a part of this unique promotion and thrilled to bring the MAZDASPEED3 to the Need for Speed franchise," said Craig Rechenmacher, Senior Director of Marketing at EA. "Partnering with Channel M and GameStop will provide the perfect venue to showcase Need for Speed Carbon on the next generation platforms." "This relationship strategically leverages the physical store and online reach of the company's 3,600 U.S. GameStop and EB Games stores, while providing an exciting new opportunity to reach gaming enthusiasts nationwide," indicated Jack Beuttell, Senior Vice President of Marketing, GameStop Corp. The all-new MAZDASPEED3 is one of the quickest and fastest front-wheel drive cars in the world. Based on the MAZDA3 5-door, the MAZDASPEED3 is a lightweight car with a big engine. It comes equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and a high performance MZR 2.3-liter direct-injected four-cylinder turbo engine producing 263-horsepower and 280 lb/ft of torque. All this power results in a 0-60 mph time well under six-seconds and pushes the MAZDASPEED3 to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. Developed by EA Black Box, Need for Speed Carbon delivers the next generation of adrenaline-filled street racing and will challenge the player to face the ultimate test of driving skill on treacherous canyon roads. Need for Speed Carbon will be available for Xbox 360(TM) video game and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system, and Wii(TM) as well as the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, Xbox(R) videogame system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube(TM), PC and mobile phones. Need for Speed Carbon Own the City will be available Nintendo DS(TM), Game Boy(R) Advance and PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system. About Mazda Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. About Electronic Arts Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for videogame systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA(TM), EA SPORTS BIG(TM) and POGO(TM). In fiscal 2006, EA posted revenue of $2.95 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is http://www.ea.com/. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com/. Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG, POGO and Need for Speed are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. "PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION" and PSP are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Game Boy Advance, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS and Wii are trademarks of Nintendo. Microsoft, Xbox and Xbox 360 are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. About GameStop Headquartered in Grapevine, TX, GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME)(NYSE:GME.B) is the world's largest video game and entertainment software retailer. The company operates 4,592 retail stores across the United States and in fourteen countries worldwide. The company also owns two e-commerce sites, GameStop.com and EBgames.com, and Game Informer(R) magazine, a leading video and computer game publication. GameStop Corp. sells the most popular new software, hardware and game accessories for the PC and next generation video game systems from Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft. Through the company's unique trade-in program, consumers can trade in their used games for store credit. General information on GameStop Corp. can be obtained at the company's corporate website located at http://www.gamestop.com/corporate About Channel M Channel M is the largest non-traditional media company in the world and leading provider of retail marketing services. Channel M reaches millions of consumers every day through its network of entertainment, lifestyle and retail venues. Advertising clients such as VH1, Sony Pictures, Disney, Jim Beam, Atari, Dodge, Discovery Channel and many more have recently marketed their products and brands through Channel M's targeted portfolio of venues such as amusement parks, GameStop, sports bars, video arcades, My Gym, Minor League Baseball and more. These venues deliver key demographics and psychographics to advertisers as well as multiple touch points to reach consumers. Furthermore, Channel M specializes in developing strategic promotions for brands and retailers that tie-in to major films, DVD releases and concerts. Channel M's production team revolutionized in-store television programming by creating hosted entertainment driven content which enhances the store environment, educates consumers, impacts sales, and drives incremental revenue for our retail partners. Channel M's in-store programs are tailored to meet their retail clients' needs. For more information, please consult http://www.channelm.com/. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061026/LATH103 http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Mazda North American Operations CONTACT: Jeremy Barnes of Mazda North American Operations, +1-949-727-6844, ; or Tim Gilman, +1-949-223-2313, , for Mazda Information Bureau Web site: http://www.mazdaspeed3.com/ http://www.gamestop.com/corporate http://www.channelm.com/ http://info.ea.com/

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