five and thq shake hands in sponsorship deal

Author: THQ

Five has secured a significant sponsorship package with video gaming publishers THQ (UK) Ltd, a subsidiary of THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI), to support all programmes within the channel's weekend Shake strand, it was announced today.

The deal, which runs for one year from October, was negotiated by Mark Gibson, Managing Director of Badge Media, and Five's Sponsorship Controller, Rachael Wheeler. The deal represents THQ's first move into terrestrial broadcast sponsorship having been one of the biggest broadcast sponsors of programming in multi-channel television.

The 3D sponsorship creative is being designed and produced by The Victorians, the dedicated design and production arm of Badge Media.

The sponsorship will support all programmes within the Shake! strand which are 15 minutes or longer in duration. These include brand new shows such as Extreme Football, futuristic cartoon Dragon Booster, slapstick silent comedy Demolition Dad and a second series of documentary A Different Life. The package includes sponsorship credits as well as on-line and future on-pack promotion. The sponsorship will work to promote THQ's new releases: Scooby-Doo!^TM Unmasked, Bratz^TM Rock Angelz, Disney presents a Pixar Film, The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer and SpongeBob SquarePants^TM: Lights, Camera, PANTS!

Five's Sponsorship Controller Rachael Wheeler said: "We are delighted to secure this sponsorship with THQ, it is an excellent fit for our children's programming strand."

Angela Bateman, THQ's UK Product Marketing Manager, commented: "THQ is one of the biggest supporter's of broadcast sponsorship media. As THQ continues to expand and invest in its kids' targeted portfolio this sponsorship provides us with an excellent opportunity to promote a number of key titles across the coming months. We look forward to building on previous successes to form a solid on and off-air marketing relationship with Five"

THQ is one of the greatest success stories in the video gaming industry. Established over 10 years ago, its diverse product portfolio now caters to every segment of the expanding gaming audience and across all principal game systems. THQ's impressive portfolio of licensed properties includes Disney and Pixar, Nickelodeon, World Wrestling Entertainment and Warner Bros'.

For further information please contact Valerie Taylor on 020 8682 1759 and [email protected] or Helen Jones on 01483 227 264 and [email protected]

About THQ

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, 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.

All other trademarks are property of their respective owner.