World Poker Tour(R) Chosen Sports Brand License of the Year at International Licensing Excellence Awards
WPT Enterprises, Inc. and Brandgenuity Saluted for Stable of 40+ Licenses
The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA) Wednesday honored the WORLD POKER TOUR(R) (NASDAQ:WPTE) as the Best Sports Brand License of the Year for 2005 at the LIMA International Licensing Excellence Awards. Brandgenuity LLC, a New York based licensing agency, which handles North American licensing for the brand was also commended for its contribution. The event held in New York at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, salutes the industry's premier licensed products.
"This singular award from LIMA -- the most prestigious in the licensing industry -- is a testament to the enduring strength of the brand that WPT Enterprises has built and to the incredible partners who have come on board to creatively leverage the WORLD POKER TOUR's consumer and TV viewer loyalty," said Andrea Green, Vice President of Global Consumer Products. "The work that Brandgenuity and our newer global agents -- Granada Ventures in Europe and Newman International in Australia/New Zealand -- have done to grow our stable of 40+ licensees and manage the process has been outstanding."
As well as receiving this accolade, two WORLD POKER TOUR partners were singled out for their expertise, as well. Hands-On Mobile and MDI/Scientific Games were both nominated for Best Sports Brand Licensee for their WPT Mobile Games and Scratch Off Lottery Tickets, respectively.
LIMA stages its annual tribute to recognize the licensing industry's "best and brightest." "The LIMA Licensing Excellence Awards are the industry's most prestigious recognition of outstanding achievement," said Charles Riotto, President of LIMA. "WPT Enterprises has done an outstanding job of building its brand through its creative, multi-faceted licensing program. I congratulate them on winning this award against some very strong competition."
The WPT debuted on The Travel Channel March 2003 and began a licensing program which initially focused on apparel and poker-related products. The company branched into lifestyle goods that now range from jewelry to bar mirrors to video games to mobile phone content. As the broadcast of the WPT shows has expanded to 150 countries around the world, WPTE has begun acquiring licensing partners in Australia and Europe.
The WPT launched the poker phenomenon when it first aired on the Travel Channel on March 30, 2003, and it continues to lead the way in developing poker as a major international sport. Viewers and aspiring tour players can log on to www.worldpokertour.com for ways to improve their game and to get the latest WPT schedules, information and merchandise. The highest rated show ever on The Travel Channel, the WPT is now seen in more than 150 countries and territories worldwide. WORLD POKER TOUR(R) airs every Wednesday at 9 p.m. EST/PST on the Travel Channel in the U.S.
The following is a list of WPTE's current licensees and their products: Poker Products: * WPT Cards, chips, poker sets, card shufflers and folding table tops from United States Playing Card Company * Rolled, washable, portable poker mat from Polymer Global Holdings Games: * World Poker Tour(R) video game from 2K Sports playable on PlayStation(R)2, Xbox(R), PSP and Nintendo Game Boy(R) Advance * Interactive set top box TV games from PixelPlay * Plug 'N Play video games from Jakks Pacific * WPT-inspired hand-held Texas Hold 'Em games from Radica Games Limited * Pinball game from Stern Pinball Apparel and Sunglasses: * Casual sportswear, including jackets and jerseys from G-III Apparel * WPT themed t-shirts and fleece tops from ODM * Hats from Bioworld Merchandising * Men's boxer shorts and loungewear and women's lingerie and loungewear from Briefly Stated Poker Instruction: * Paperback books from HarperCollins Publishing. WPT: Shuffle Up and Deal, by WPT Commentator Mike Sexton ,WPT: Making the Final Table by WPT Player-of-the-Year Erick Lindgren and WPT: In the Money by WPT favorite Antonio Esfandiari. * Two and three day instructional interactive poker seminars from WPT Boot Camp, where poker enthusiasts can brush up on their poker skills under the tutelage of WPT champions and WPT host Mike Sexton Gaming: * Slot machines in casinos created by IGT, the world's leading slot machine manufacturer * WORLD POKER TOUR All-In Hold'Em(R) Table Game, conceived by poker expert David Sklansky and marketed by Lakes Entertainment * WPT Lottery Games offered in various states through Scientific Games * WorldPokerTour.com -- For international players only in jurisdictions where it is legal (no U.S. participation). * AWP and SWP Game Machines from UK-based Barcrest, a subsidiary of IGT. Wireless Content & Cell Phones: * Wireless interactive WPT entertainment for mobile phones, PDAs and wireless devices developed by Hands-On Mobile (formerly Mforma). This includes games, messaging, ring tones, images, icons, mobile greeting cards, and other lifestyle applications. * WPT Cell Phone Charms from Talexia DVDs and Home Entertainment: * DVDs of Seasons I, II and III of the WORLD POKER TOUR, as well as selected specials including the WPT Ladies' Night and WPT Battle of the Champions episodes. Jewelry and Watches: * From Roberto Martinez Jewelry -- The WORLD POKER TOUR(R) Collection of charm and cuff bracelets, necklaces, pendants, rings, and earrings based on poker-related symbols such as hearts, clubs, diamonds, spades and popular poker sayings. * Digital poker game-play wrist watches from MZ Berger * Terrycloth headbands and wristbands, and rubber-banded bracelets for charity by Pacific Sportswear Furniture, Home Furnishings, Decor and Artwork: * Bar mirrors from Head West * Original WPT-themed artwork from the artist who created the Women & Wines Series, Kathy Womack... from Nostalgia Art * Wall clocks from MZ Berger * Bedding, towels and housewares from Notra Trading * Glassware ceramics, furniture and more from Australian based Licensing Essentials. Automotive Products and Toys: * Auto accessories from Shell Auto Expressions * Die cast trucks and models from Die cast Promotions Other Consumer Products: * Barbecue covers and accessories from Two Dog Designs * Talking bottle opener from Pacific Direct * WPT novelty Items; magnets, antenna toppers, key chains, and other unique products from Hot Properties. * Collectible lighters from Zippo * Aluminum key chain/bottle openers from Bev Key * Candies and gift sets from Frankford Candy * Food Products and novelty items from Australia-based Park Avenue Foods * WPT European calendar from UK-based Danilo. About WPTE
WPT Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ:WPTE) is a company engaged in the creation of internationally branded entertainment and consumer products driven by the development, production, and marketing of televised programming based on gaming themes. WPTE is the creator of the World Poker Tour(R), a television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments that airs on the Travel Channel in the United States and more than 150 markets globally. With the WPT in its fifth season, WPTE has launched a second series on the Travel Channel, the Professional Poker Tour(TM), which focuses on the play of poker's leading stars. WPT Enterprises currently licenses its brand to companies in the business of poker equipment and instruction, apparel, publishing, electronic and wireless entertainment, DVD/home entertainment, casino games, and giftware. For show information, tools for improving poker play, and other WPT news, fans may log on to www.worldpokertour.com. The company is also engaged in the sale of corporate sponsorships. WPT Enterprises, Inc. is a majority owned subsidiary of Lakes Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:LACO) . Photos and media information can be found online at: www.worldpokertour.com/media
About Brandgenuity LLC
Brandgenuity LLC, an independent boutique trademark licensing agency based in New York, provides turnkey licensing services to owners of famous trademarks. The agency's four principals, Jay Asher, Adina Avery-Grossman, Louis Drogin and Andrew Topkins, have more than 50 years of combined licensing and marketing experience. Brandgenuity agency services include strategic licensing planning, prospecting, negotiation, licensee management and program administration. Brandgenuity's clients include WPTE, Cadbury Schweppes, Verizon, LeapFrog, Meow Mix and Reckitt Benckiser.
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The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this press release (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by WPT Enterprises, Inc.) contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to the expansion of WPTE's brand licensing, the development of new television and film projects, the development of WPTE corporate sponsors and other business development activities, as well as statements regarding other capital spending, financing sources and the effects of competition. Such forward- looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of WPTE. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, WPTE's significant dependence on the Travel Channel as a source of revenue; the potential that our television programming will fail to maintain a sufficient audience; the risk that competitors with greater financial resources or marketplace presence might develop television programming that would directly compete with WPTE's television programming; the risk that WPT may not be able to protect its entertainment concepts, current and future brands and other intellectual property rights; risks associated with future expansion into new or complementary businesses; the termination or impairment of WPTE's relationships with key licensing and strategic partners; and WPTE's dependence on its senior management team. For more information, review WPTE's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
