Dodge Renews NTN QB1/NFL Title Sponsorship and Expands Programming -- Validating Success of Advergaming
CARLSBAD, Calif. & AUBURN HILLS, Mich.--July 31, 2002--NTN Provides Marketing Support for the Dodge Ram 2500/3500
Heavy Duty Launch by Targeting Audiences in Restaurants
and Sports Bars Via Interactive Sports Games
NTN Communications, Inc. (AMEX:NTN), the world's largest out-of-home interactive television network, today announced that the Dodge Division of DaimlerChrysler Corp. -- following their successful 2001 NTN Network(R) Advergaming sponsorship -- has renewed its relationship to become the 2002 title sponsor of QB1(R), Predict the Play(TM). They will also continue their "Dodge Ram `Battle To The Bowl II'" trivia game and will expand programming to include the "Dodge Ram `Haul Of Fame'" Advergame.
This year's program, similar to their 2001 QB1 sponsorship, grants Dodge automotive exclusivity within all QB1 programming during the 2002 football season as part of their fall launch of the new 2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickup trucks. The program provides Dodge a unique, alternative marketing solution to reach their core consumers -- young men with high disposable incomes -- in an engaging, non-threatening and memorable Advergaming environment that goes beyond the role of traditional media.
"Given the challenging market for ad spending, we are very pleased with Dodge's decision to extend its marketing efforts with the addition of NTN's extensive interactive programs. This campaign provides further validation to the value of NTN Network's suite of Advergaming and interactive advertising programs designed to create strong interactive nationwide promotions that also provide the flexibility to customize specific markets," said Mark deGorter, president/COO of the NTN Network. "NTN's ability to provide a unique and targeted vehicle -- interactive play-along sports games -- allows Dodge to zero in on their desired demographic in engaging ways that other `alternative media' vehicles cannot."
The 2002 sponsorship includes the "Dodge Ram `Battle To The Bowl II,'" the episodic sequel to last year's "Battle To The Bowl I" promotion, in which consumers compete throughout the football season to win a new Dodge Ram by answering trivia questions about the vehicle. Chris "Bo" Gum was awarded an all-new Ram 1500 last year after narrowly beating out over 5,800 other qualified contestants from over 30,000 overall players nationwide in the final head-to-head competition, held prior to the Rose Bowl telecast.
This year's final competition will be the QB1 lead-in to Super Bowl XXXVII with a new 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab(R) as the grand prize. This vehicle features a High-Output Cummins Turbo Diesel engine and dual rear wheels with 4x4 capability, and has a total estimated retail value of $37,375.
NTN will be developing a full-circle integrated marketing, advertising and media program for Dodge ranging from television ads on NTN screens, an opt-in campaign where players can electronically request more information on the Ram models via NTN's OmniPoll(TM) interactive research system, drink coasters with the look and shape of a Dodge Ram, and other point-of-sale elements distributed at NTN locations. Also, as a grass-roots marketing extension of this national program, NTN and Dodge will once again pair individual Dodge dealerships with NTN locations for local tailgate parties.
New this season is an NTN Advergame called the "Dodge Ram `Haul Of Fame.'" This interactive race features animated Dodge Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 vehicles, each hauling a different load of materials or towing items. Consumers in NTN locations will vote for which Ram model will compete and which color will win the race. The NTN interactive server technology at each location features the vehicle to haul the selected load or towing item, making a connection in the player's mind about the toughness and ideal uses of each Ram model.
"Dodge's mission is to surround our consumers with activities that are relevant to them and clearly express the Dodge `full of life' attitude," stated Julie Roehm, Director of Dodge Communications. "NTN's ability to creatively engage our target consumers in the midst of what they love doing is key to fulfilling our marketing goals. Based on the very impressive results from last year's program (NTN's branded programming in support of Ram and NTN's tie-in with our local dealers), it is clear that this partnership provides a great opportunity to reach the Dodge consumer at a grass-roots level to drive awareness and trial."
NTN provides engaging, on-premise entertainment to more than 3,100 sports bars and restaurants nationally. NTN delivers more than 56 million gross impressions monthly featuring not only QB1 Predict the Play, but also popular interactive quiz show programs such as Showdown(R), Passport(TM), BrainBuster(R), Spotlight(TM) and Playback(TM).
Dodge is a North American division of DaimlerChrysler that offers expressively styled, boldly capable and quality-made minivans, cars and trucks. Vehicles range from the industry-first minivan, Caravan, to the venomously powerful Viper to the Heavy Duty Ram. Headquarters are located in Auburn Hills, Mich. For more information, visit Dodge's Web site: www.dodge.com.
About NTN Communications, Inc.
Based in Carlsbad, NTN Communications, Inc. (AMEX:NTN) is the parent corporation of the NTN Network(R) division and Buzztime Entertainment, Inc., a subsidiary. The NTN Network division, which focuses on the out-of-home hospitality industries, is composed of the NTN Network and NTN Wireless Communications, Inc. The NTN Network is the largest out-of-home interactive television network in the world. Through NTN's Digital Interactive Television technology, the NTN Network broadcasts entertainment and sports programming engaging more than 1.7 million players and reaching more than 6 million unique customers each month in approximately 3,600 North American hospitality locations such as TGIFriday's, Damon's, Applebee's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Bennigan's and others.
NTN Wireless(TM) manufactures, sells and repairs paging equipment for the hospitality industry as well as providing on-site messaging solutions for hospitals, church nurseries, salons, business offices and retail establishments. NTN Wireless also offers enhanced stored-value gift certificate and loyalty programs to improve customer retention. Buzztime Entertainment, Inc., with investment from Scientific-Atlanta, Inc., produces BUZZTIME(R), the interactive television trivia channel, and live sports prediction games such as QB1(R) from its live interactive broadcast studio. Buzztime's partners include: Scientific-Atlanta Inc., Liberate Technologies, Microsoft Corporation's MSN(R) TV and the National Football League.
This release contains forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the success of the NTN Network and its Advergaming business model, which are subject to risks and uncertainties including the risks of changing economic conditions, product demand and market acceptance, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and other factors detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including NTN's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001. NTN disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.