Press release: 1999-06-30: Digital River Partners with Sega of America for End-to-End Web-Commerce Solution

This is an unaltered copy of a press release, for use as a primary source on Sega Retro. Please do not edit the contents below. Language: English Original source: The Free Library

 MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 30, 1999--

Digital River Enables Online Order and Delivery of Sega Dreamcast Platform

Digital River (Nasdaq: DRIV) today announced a CommerceBridge alliance with Sega(R) of America, an industry leader in interactive media and games, to provide an integrated end-to-end Web-commerce solution for Sega's online store (http://www.sega.com), including Web store hosting, shopping basket functionality, order processing, transaction management, and customer service.

Through the online store, consumers will be able to purchase Sega published products, including the Sega Dreamcast console, all first- party games and peripherals, as well as a variety of Sega merchandise. Consumers will also be able to order pre-sale units of the popular Sega Dreamcast video game platform through the online store.

Sega Dreamcast is the most-advanced videogame console ever created, with 128-bit graphic power and a built-in 56K modem - a monumental first in the video gaming industry. Under the agreement, Digital River's CommerceBridge outsourcing service will be implemented to process multiple transactions for Sega, integrate its order tracking and delivery processes, cut costs, increase profits and enhance the customer's buying experience.

"Sega's Dreamcast takes gaming to a whole new level," said Joel Ronning, Digital River's CEO. "Our new CommerceBridge service for end-to-end Web-commerce will allow Sega to take advance orders for Sega Dreamcast sales, and immediately deliver the console to pre-sale customers as soon as it's available. Consumers continue to embrace the Internet as a shopping medium, and the convenience that Digital River provides through CommerceBridge is only going to add to its popularity."

"Outsourcing our back-end e-commerce efforts to Digital River eliminates the complexity of building our own e-commerce infrastructure and allows us to concentrate on our core business," said Bernard Stolar, president and chief operating officer, Sega of America. "Digital River's integrated transaction processing and order processing enables us to properly track and record each sale, which in turn allows us to better manage our follow-up marketing and sales efforts. The flexibility that Digital River's CommerceBridge service offers will enable us to provide fast and efficient delivery of our products and Sega Dreamcast to our online customers."

About Sega's Dreamcast

Sega's Dreamcast features four controller ports for multiple players, a new ergonomic standard controller, and VMUs - portable memory cartridges that allow players to download game data and play special mini-games on the go. 128-bit graphics means games feature never-before-seen 3D special effects and animation capabilities. Sega Dreamcast learns as you play, each outcome is different depending on the interactions your characters have had with the other characters in the game.

About Sega of America

Sega of America is the arm of Tokyo, Japan-based Sega Enterprises, Ltd., responsible for the development, marketing and distribution of Sega videogame systems and videogames in the Americas. Sega Enterprise, Ltd. is a nearly $2.5 billion company recognized as the industry leader in interactive digital entertainment media, and is the only company that offers interactive entertainment experiences both inside and outside the home. Sega of America's World Wide Web site is located at http://www.sega.com.

About CommerceBridge and Digital River(a)

CommerceBridge is a seamlessly integrated front to back solution for sales and fulfillment of products over the Internet, providing for eleven key business functions including: Web store hosting, transaction processing, security, order processing, data center management, fraud prevention, order tracking, online reporting, customer and distribution fulfillment management, marketing and merchandising support, and customer service support. For more information, visit the CommerceBridge Web site at http://www.commercebridge.com.

Digital River, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRIV), based in Minneapolis, is a leading outsource provider of Web-enabled, digital commerce solutions for more than 5,000 clients with its proprietary technology for Internet delivery of more than 100,000 digital products. For more information, visit the Digital River Web site at http://www.digitalriver.com.

(a) Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements containing the words, "believes," "anticipates," "expects" and similar words. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: the Company's limited operating history and variability of operating results; market acceptance of electronic software delivery; the Company's ability to maintain relationships with software publishers and online retailers; competition in the electronic commerce market; and other risk factors referenced in the Company's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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