Dangerous Incorporated
11-13-2006, 10:10 PM
WWE SMACKDOWN VS. RAW 2007 SLATED TO ENTER THE RING WITH AN UPRECEDENTED MARKETING CAMPAIGN
Traditional Media Tag-Teams with the Latest in Viral Consumer Outreach for a
SuperStar Marketing Campaign
THQ today announced details of the multi-million dollar marketing campaign supporting the launch of the WWE(r) SmackDown(r) vs. RAW(r) 2007 video game. The campaign is comprised of key media elements, including for the first time a Smackdown vs. Raw MySpace.com interactive Web page and a playable Xbox 360 online demo that consumers can download free from the Xbox Live(r) Marketplace.
With global awareness and anticipation reaching an all-time high, WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 is scheduled for release tomorrow for the Xbox 360(tm) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation(r)2 computer entertainment system. The PSP(tm) (PlayStation(r)Portable) system version will ship later in the month.
"Bringing new fans to World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. through viral efforts such as MySpace.com and the Xbox Live Marketplace is a fresh approach to promoting the genre-leading Smackdown vs Raw franchise," said Bob Aniello, senior vice president, worldwide marketing, THQ. "Our combination of traditional media with online community building allows us to connect with both our core fanbase and new consumers on a global level and has resulted in unprecedented awareness for WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007's upcoming launch."
"We've had tremendous success in partnering with retailers, first-party hardware companies and additional WWE licensors to create the most comprehensive campaign to date," said Tracy Muniz, global senior brand manager, THQ. "With a full-scale marketing campaign and a presence on Xbox 360 for the first time, we anticipate another highly successful SmackDown vs. RAW product launch."
The WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 marketing effort is comprised of numerous campaign elements including:
* Multimillion dollar TV, print and online campaign targeting core WWE fans and broad consumers
o Co-marketing with Microsoft for Xbox 360 exclusive TV advertising
o Retailer specific print and TV advertising with participation from Best Buy (print), as well as GameStop/EB Games and Wal-Mart (TV)
* Retailer-specific in-store promotions
o Exclusive collector's edition Xbox 360 video game tin featuring a Simon and Schuster WWE trivia book available at GameStop in the U.S. and Germany
o Exclusive Brady Games mini-strategy guide bundle at Wal-Mart
o Exclusive WWE Home Video "The Roddy Piper Story" DVD bundle at Circuit City
o Exclusive WWE Power 25 DVD board game bundle at Toys R Us
* First ever WWE SmackDown vs. RAW MySpace.com Web page
o Over 72,000 friends have joined the WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 video game community
* First ever WWE Xbox 360 video game demo available at the Xbox Live Marketplace
o Demo can be found in the "Game Demos " tab within the fighting genre and is labeled "WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007"
o Over 340,000 downloads to date
* WWE.com exclusive bundles
o Video game available on the WWE's official Web site bundled with Brady Games strategy guide and exclusive WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 t-shirt
* Highly successful pre-order program with GameStop and EB Games
o Over 80,000 units pre-ordered to date
* International Xbox 360 hardware and video game bundle programs in UK, Portugal and Italy
About WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 enables players to experience the thrill of being a WWE SuperStar like never before with key upgrades, next generation graphics and new game play features. Environmental hotspots let players use multiple objects in and around the ring, as well as from crowd members, to inflict damage on their opponents. Players can also get closer than ever to WWE fans as they battle in a new interactive fighting area within the crowd. New ultimate control moves and an enhanced season mode with multiple branching storylines let players take the power of the WWE SuperStars into their own hands, while a brand new analog control grappling system makes fighting more realistic than ever with intuitive movements and new levels of control. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 is also packed with significant product upgrades, including an expanded General Manager Mode, updated rosters for both RAW and SmackDown, enhanced online multiplayer game play with voice chat support and more. In addition, the PSP system version includes an exclusive Road To WrestleMania mode, which allows players to select from four unique tournament styles and compete for supremacy in single-elimination battles.
More information about WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 can be found at www.svr2007.com and www.thq.com.
Traditional Media Tag-Teams with the Latest in Viral Consumer Outreach for a
SuperStar Marketing Campaign
THQ today announced details of the multi-million dollar marketing campaign supporting the launch of the WWE(r) SmackDown(r) vs. RAW(r) 2007 video game. The campaign is comprised of key media elements, including for the first time a Smackdown vs. Raw MySpace.com interactive Web page and a playable Xbox 360 online demo that consumers can download free from the Xbox Live(r) Marketplace.
With global awareness and anticipation reaching an all-time high, WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 is scheduled for release tomorrow for the Xbox 360(tm) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation(r)2 computer entertainment system. The PSP(tm) (PlayStation(r)Portable) system version will ship later in the month.
"Bringing new fans to World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. through viral efforts such as MySpace.com and the Xbox Live Marketplace is a fresh approach to promoting the genre-leading Smackdown vs Raw franchise," said Bob Aniello, senior vice president, worldwide marketing, THQ. "Our combination of traditional media with online community building allows us to connect with both our core fanbase and new consumers on a global level and has resulted in unprecedented awareness for WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007's upcoming launch."
"We've had tremendous success in partnering with retailers, first-party hardware companies and additional WWE licensors to create the most comprehensive campaign to date," said Tracy Muniz, global senior brand manager, THQ. "With a full-scale marketing campaign and a presence on Xbox 360 for the first time, we anticipate another highly successful SmackDown vs. RAW product launch."
The WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 marketing effort is comprised of numerous campaign elements including:
* Multimillion dollar TV, print and online campaign targeting core WWE fans and broad consumers
o Co-marketing with Microsoft for Xbox 360 exclusive TV advertising
o Retailer specific print and TV advertising with participation from Best Buy (print), as well as GameStop/EB Games and Wal-Mart (TV)
* Retailer-specific in-store promotions
o Exclusive collector's edition Xbox 360 video game tin featuring a Simon and Schuster WWE trivia book available at GameStop in the U.S. and Germany
o Exclusive Brady Games mini-strategy guide bundle at Wal-Mart
o Exclusive WWE Home Video "The Roddy Piper Story" DVD bundle at Circuit City
o Exclusive WWE Power 25 DVD board game bundle at Toys R Us
* First ever WWE SmackDown vs. RAW MySpace.com Web page
o Over 72,000 friends have joined the WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 video game community
* First ever WWE Xbox 360 video game demo available at the Xbox Live Marketplace
o Demo can be found in the "Game Demos " tab within the fighting genre and is labeled "WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007"
o Over 340,000 downloads to date
* WWE.com exclusive bundles
o Video game available on the WWE's official Web site bundled with Brady Games strategy guide and exclusive WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 t-shirt
* Highly successful pre-order program with GameStop and EB Games
o Over 80,000 units pre-ordered to date
* International Xbox 360 hardware and video game bundle programs in UK, Portugal and Italy
About WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 enables players to experience the thrill of being a WWE SuperStar like never before with key upgrades, next generation graphics and new game play features. Environmental hotspots let players use multiple objects in and around the ring, as well as from crowd members, to inflict damage on their opponents. Players can also get closer than ever to WWE fans as they battle in a new interactive fighting area within the crowd. New ultimate control moves and an enhanced season mode with multiple branching storylines let players take the power of the WWE SuperStars into their own hands, while a brand new analog control grappling system makes fighting more realistic than ever with intuitive movements and new levels of control. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 is also packed with significant product upgrades, including an expanded General Manager Mode, updated rosters for both RAW and SmackDown, enhanced online multiplayer game play with voice chat support and more. In addition, the PSP system version includes an exclusive Road To WrestleMania mode, which allows players to select from four unique tournament styles and compete for supremacy in single-elimination battles.
More information about WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 can be found at www.svr2007.com and www.thq.com.