IN-FUSIO Announces Multi-Year Licensing Agreement With Universal Studios
Los Angeles - March 10, 2005 - IN-FUSIO, a leading mobile games publisher and players' community management provider, announced today that it has signed a multi-year agreement with Universal Studios Consumer Products Group for worldwide mobile content rights to the TV blockbusters Battlestar Galactica and The Munsters. Under the terms of this agreement, IN-FUSIO will develop, publish and distribute interactive games for mobile devices based on the licenses, as well as the rights to create other mobile entertainment products such as logos and ringtones. The first IN-FUSIO game to utilise the Universal licenses is expected to ship in Q3 2005.
"We are very excited to partner with Universal Studios and to develop new mobile gaming franchises that appeal to audiences worldwide," stated Juergen Goeldner, executive vice president of publishing for IN-FUSIO. "The mobile gaming market has seen an impressive growth over the past 12 month due to advances in technology and improved playability. The combination of our publishing power and the popularity of the Universal brands should result ingreat gains for both companies. We are thrilled to jointly bring mobile gaming to another level."
"IN-FUSIO has enthusiastically embraced these two iconic, yet very different, titles from the Universal Studios television library," said Jeremy Laws, vice president of media licensing and strategy for Universal Studios Consumer Products Group. "We firmly believe that they will bring a unique vision to these applications and create true mobile entertainment with massive global appeal."
About Battlestar Galactica
Produced by Universal Television and Glen A. Larson, the hit TV series, Battlestar Galactica, was first broadcast on ABC in September 1978. Starring Lorne Green, Richard Hatch, and Dirk Benedict, this epic space saga went on to become a veritable sci-fi classic. With just thirty-six episodes created, Battlestar Galactica has enjoyed syndication over the last two decades, most recently on the Sci-Fi Channel.
With its compelling storyline, memorable characters and exciting visual effects, millions of fans tuned in every week to join Commander Adama, Apollo, Starbuck and the crew of the Galactica on their journey through the galaxy. Hunted by the diabolical Cylons, a mechanical race set out to destroy all humans, the crew of the Galactica and its ragtag fleet of survivors' only hope was to find legendary planet Earth-believed to be the home of the missing Thirteenth Colony of Man.
Inspired by the classic series, this extraordinary story was re-created in December of 2003 as a mini-series for a new generation of fans. The overwhelming success of the mini-series has led to the new Battlestar Galactica TV series, currently in its first season on the Sci Fi Network. The new series continues the integrity and spirit of the original series with and edgier approach and special effects that give viewers a heightened immersion of action, excitement, and suspense.
About The Munsters
Amidst the well-manicured lawns in a quaint 1960s neighborhood lies the quintessential haunted house, hosting the funniest collection of misfits ever to set up abode. They are, of course, Universal Studios' The Munsters. Creating 70 episodes during its successful run on CBS from September 1964 to September 1966, the morbidly hilarious Munster family has been in domestic and international syndication ever since.
About Universal Studios Consumer Products Group
Universal Studios Consumer Products Group (USCPG) is responsible for global licensing and retail strategies as well as building brand recognition of the extensive catalogue of NBC Universal properties. Universal Studios Consumer Products Group is a unit of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates the No. 1 television network, the fastest-growing Spanish-language network, a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.
About IN-FUSIO
IN-FUSIO is a leading international mobile entertainment company, publishing top-tier games for cell phones and delivering players' community management services.
Focusing on quality, innovation and community, IN-FUSIO applications are enjoyed by more than 15 million people worldwide, through 130 operators and portals across all handset platforms (Java, ExEn, BREW, Symbian, Windows Mobile and I-Mode). IN-FUSIO's portfolio of more than 85 games includes licensed properties such as Microsoft's Midtown Madness® 3 Mobile and Zoo Tycoon® 2 Mobile, Comedy Central's South Park®, Universal Studios' E.T.TM, Canal Studio Image's The TerminatorTM, Golden TeeTM, RollerbladeTM, as well as the award wining original titles Shado Fighter and the IF Racing series. The company successfully provides carriers, developers and brand owners the best opportunity to maximize the value of their offerings with the largest mobile distribution network.
IN-FUSIO currently has offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, London, Bordeaux, Moscow and Shanghai. IN-FUSIO's customers include Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, Vodafone D2, Orange France, SFR, Orange UK, Vodafone Omnitel, Telefonica Moviles and China Mobile. For more information, please visit www.in-fusio.com.
The trademarks and names contained in this press release are the sole property of their owners.
For further IN-FUSIO press information, please contact:
Yann Mondon
VP of Brand & Communication
IN-FUSIO Fusion PR
Tel: +33 557 773 815
Asif Husain
Account Supervisor
Tel: 310-575-4814