From Star Trek Game Information
ACTIVISION AND VIACOM CONSUMER PRODUCTS SIGN EXCLUSIVE 10-YEAR PACT FOR INTERACTIVE GAMES BASED ON STAR TREK PROPERTY; AGREEMENT MARKS VIACOM CONSUMER PRODUCTS' FIRST EXCLUSIVE UMBRELLA DEAL WITH INDEPENDENT SOFTWARE PUBLISHER; ANNOUNCEMENT REINFORCES ACTIVISION'S COMMITMENT TO BROADEN ITS PRODUCT LINES TO MAINSTREAM AUDIENCES
Santa Monica, CA. and Los Angeles, CA, Sept. 28, 1998 - Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) and Viacom Consumer Products, the licensing division of Paramount Pictures, the entertainment unit of Viacom Inc., (Amex: VIA, VIAB) jointly announced today that they have signed a 10-year alliance that will allow Activision to develop and publish interactive entertainment titles based on the Star Trek(TM) franchise. Under the terms of the agreement, Activision has obtained the exclusive worldwide publishing rights for multiple platforms to all Star Trek properties, subject to the expiration of existing publishing agreements that Viacom Consumer Products currently maintains with respect to certain Star Trek properties. The deal also provides Activision with exclusive worldwide rights to any new television series or motion pictures based on Star Trek. Activision intends to release its first Star Trek title based on Paramount Pictures' holiday '98 feature film, "Star Trek: Insurrection(TM)".
The announcement represents the first time that Viacom Consumer Products has entered into an exclusive umbrella deal with an independent entertainment software publisher. The agreement reinforces Activision's strategy to expand its market share by developing and publishing products based on powerful recognizable brands.
"We are very excited to be collaborating with Viacom Consumer Products on this extraordinary property," states Robert Kotick, Chairman and CEO, Activision, Inc. "For more than 30 years, Star Trek has captivated the imagination of audiences worldwide. With this agreement we can extend the rich interstellar history and traditions inherent in the Star Trek universe and bring many new and exciting products to the marketplace."
"As competition for the consumer mind share continues to grow, market- proven brands will be an essential component of our long-term success," Kotick adds. "This announcement further demonstrates our commitment toward expanding and strengthening the portfolio of franchise properties around which we will build our product lines. Our aim is to deliver a diverse product slate that appeals to a broader audience including both casual game players as well as core gaming enthusiasts."
"As we enter the new millennium, we have looked at conducting our business in new ways, including creating alliances that will allow Star Trek to maintain its status as the pinnacle of science fiction licensing," said Andrea Hein, president, Viacom Consumer Products. "The Activision partnership will allow us to strategically approach the market with a diverse mix of unique products. We welcome Activision as our newest Star Trek partner."
Star Trek was first launched as a Paramount television series in 1966 and since then the franchise has grown to include three additional series, "Star Trek: The Next Generation(TM)," "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine(TM)" and "Star Trek: Voyager(TM)," as well as eight feature films. The ninth theatrical motion picture, "Star Trek: Insurrection," is scheduled to be released on December 11 by Paramount Pictures in the United States and Canada.
Since its initial debut, Star Trek has become a worldwide phenomenon with the television series being shown in more than 100 countries around the world. Currently, "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and "Star Trek: The Next Generation," are syndicated nationally and "Star Trek: Voyager" airs on UPN and is the network's highest rated show. Combined they garner audiences of millions of viewers each week. Feature films based on the Star Trek franchise have grossed more than $1 billion worldwide, and the Star Trek home video program has sold more than 20 million cassettes, including all 79 original episodes. In January, the first ever Star Trek-themed entertainment venue, "Star Trek: The Experience(TM)," opened at the Las Vegas Hilton.
Star Trek and related marks are the sole property of Viacom Consumer Products which merchandises properties on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television and Viacom Productions, as well as third-party properties. Viacom Consumer Products, a unit of Viacom Entertainment Group, is a subsidiary of Viacom Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment software for personal computers and advanced console game systems such as the Sony PlayStation and Nintendo 64. Founded in 1979, Activision posted revenues of $260 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998.
Activision maintains publishing and development operations in the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan and Australia, and distribution subsidiaries in the United Kingdom and Germany. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site which is located at http://www.activision.com.
The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." The company cautions readers of this press release that a number of important factors could cause Activision's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. These important factors, and other factors that could affect Activision, are described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, which was filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers of this press release are referred to such filings.
