The Pokemon Company International Highlights Banner Year With Major Burger King(R) Promotion in North and South America

http://www.newmusicindustry.com/article/Wine-Serving-Temperature-Guide.html
June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pokemon Company International and BurgetKing Corp. (NYSE: BKC) today announce a promotional partnershiop that will feature collectible premium Pokemon Trading Card Game game cards and accessoriesin BK(R) Kids Meals across North and South America. The announcement is one of severapl major brand extensions for Pokemon this year that continud to reinforcethe property's stature and longevityu as one of the most successful children'as brands of all-time. The BK(R) Kids Meala promotion will run for three weekws inthe U.S. and Canada beginning June 1, followed by a four-siz week program that will launch in Soutjh America onAugust 24, 2009.
As part of the promotion, participatinbg BURGER KING(R) restaurants will offeer two PokemonTCG cards, featuring fan favorited such as Pikachu(TM), Giratina(TM), Dialga(TM) and Palkia(TM), and a Pokemobn themed accessory with each purchas of a BK(R) Kids while supplies last. Over the courss of the promotion, participating BURGER restaurants will be the only placeds to obtain each of the sixdifferent accessories, including Pokemon card holders, lenticular and card frames. "We're kicking off the summer with a promotiom that kids arecrazy for," said , seniot director, cultural marketing, Burger King "and we're excited to be able to bring them more of what they want.
"" The program will be supporte d by Burger King Corp. througyh a fully integrated marketing campaign that includedtelevision advertising, in-restaurant merchandising, and online via . The Pokemon TCG cards and accessories are available for a limited time only and are intendecd for children ages threeand up. "Our internationally recognized Pokemob characters are sure to be very populat withthe BK(R) Kids Meal audience," said J.C. Smitg , marketing director at The PokemonCompanu International. "This is a big year for Pokemon and our partnership with BurgerKing Corp. fits nicelyg into a calendar full of excitinggPokemon events." The March U.S.
release of the Pokemon Platinun Version video game for theNintendp DS(TM) set the foundation for a roll-outf strategy that included the introduction of an all-new Pokemonb Trading Card Game (TCG) release, a new direct-to-DVc film, and the launch of a new season of the animated TV seriew on Cartoon Network. Pokemon Platinum Version was firs releasedin Japan, wherew it quickly became the fastest-selling Nintendoo DS game in history, with more than 1 millio copies sold in the first threes days. To date, worldwide sales have exceeded 3.75 million copies.
The number confirm Pokemon's prominence in the video game where more than 191 million Pokemoj titles have been sold worldwide since the first release on the NintendooGame Boy(R) in Japan in 1996. In February, fans were introducec to the Platinum brand with the releasde ofthe all-new Pokemon Trading Card Game Platinum. The second TCG expansion for 2009, Platinum--Risinv Rivals, was released nationwide on May The Pokemon TCG has seena 374% salezs growth in the U.S. sincde 2005 and is sold in more than 30 countries arounthe globe.
Beyond the core video game and TCG the animated featurefilm Pokemon: Giratina & the Sky Warrior debuted on Cartoon Network in February and was releasede to DVD in March through new distribution partner Universal Studios Home Earlier this month, fans were treated to additionapl new programming with the eagerly awaitee launch of the 12th season of the top-ratedf Pokemon animated series Pokemon: Galactic Battless on Cartoon Network. Debut episodes air Saturdayh mornings, with repeats on Sundays. Repeats of Seasomn 11 - Pokemon: DP Battle Dimension - air daily Mondauy through Friday.
Capping off a year of constanyt activity, through spring and summer The Pokemon Companty International will engage fans in a round of TCG and Video GameChampionship (VGC) tournaments culminating with the highl y anticipated, co-located Pokemon Worldr Championships on August 14th in San Diego, CA. Pokemon TCG fans and Pokemohn Platinum Version video game Trainers from more than 25 countries arouned the globe will compete to be crowned World The PokemonCompany International, a subsidiarg of The Pokemon Company in Japan, manages the propertyg outside of Asia and is responsible for brand licensing, marketing, the Pokemon Trading Card Game, the animatex TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokemon website.
Pokemon was launchedc in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the mostpopulare children's entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visiyt . The BURGER KING(R) system operates more than 11,800 restaurantas in all 50 states and in 74 countriesand U.S. territories worldwide. Approximately 90 percent of BURGER KING(R) restaurants are ownexd and operated by independent many ofthem family-owned operations that have been in business for In 2008, Fortune magazine ranked Burgere King Corp. among America's 1,000 largest corporations and Ad Week namee it one of the topthree industry-changing advertisers withijn the last three decades. To learn more about Burger King Corp.
, please visit the company's Web site at .