Sega signs Italian distribution deal with Leader

Sega Europe has announced that it has signed a new deal with Italian videogame group Leader S.p.A. to distribute its products in the Italian market, in a move which the company hopes will increase its market share in the region significantly.

The new deal covers all of Sega's extensive European portfolio in 2004, including key upcoming titles such as Football Manager 2005, OutRun 2, Sega SuperStars and Worms: Forts Under Siege.

"We are delighted to be working with a publisher of Sega's status and experience," according to Leader SpA president John Holder. "We know that Sega will be giving us top-quality products and this, together with Leader's distribution strength, will allow us to increase Sega's market share in the Italian market significantly."

As well as distribution and sales services, the Leader group also operates in a number of other fields of the videogame industry - including development and publishing of game titles, communications and PR services, and on-line activities. The company currently distributes games in Italy for Microsoft, EA, Activision, Eidos and several other key publishers.