Press release: 2000-05-11: Sega Rocks Gamers With Key Sponsorships, Promotions

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

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 2000

Sega Teams with Ozzfest and Nike to Reach Target Consumers This Year

Today at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Sega(R) announced its line-up of large-scale consumer promotions and key title sponsorships supporting SegaNet(tm), the only high-speed online console gaming network, and Sega Dreamcast(tm), the 128-bit, Internet-ready superconsole. Promotions play a vital role in this year's $135 million marketing budget, and Sega plans to expand its program by partnering with a host of companies and major events specifically targeted toward Sega's key demographic - the 12 to 24-year-old male.

Last year's highly successful "Sega Dreamcast Mobile Assault Tour" (MAT) begins again this year on May 1, and will hit more than 96 markets nationwide in places such as sporting events, concerts, malls, and skate parks. The tour vehicles "assault" all the senses, from their massive size, military design and high-performance sound systems, to the 16 Sega Dreamcast demonstration units available for the public to play. More than 85 million consumers will see, hear or play Sega Dreamcast on this 10-month-long nationwide tour that will make visits to dozens of concert and sporting events throughout the year, including Ozzfest 2000 and The ACG Indoor snowboarding event.

"Our goal with all promotions is to validate the trust our gamers have in us by linking with the people, places and events that are most meaningful for this audience," said Heather Kashner, consumer promotions director, Sega of America. "This year's promotions line-up allows us to showcase killer new titles and online gameplay at some of the most exciting entertainment and sports events this year."

Following are some examples of promotions and key sponsorship opportunities lined up for 2000:

Sega Dreamcast Presents Ozzfest 2000

Get ready to rock! Heavy metal and hard core gaming are about to collide at Ozzfest 2000, which was the nation's highest grossing concert tour of 1999. Sega is a presenting sponsor of Ozzfest 2000 from July 2 - September 3 and the MAT trucks will follow the tour all summer long. More than 30 bands, including Ozzy Ozbourne, Incubus, Pantera, and Godsmack are scheduled to play. At each show, Sega will give one person the chance to play "Rumble with a Rock Star," where consumers can compete against a band member on a Sega Dreamcast videogame that is projected on the main stage screen for all to see, just prior to Ozbourne's performance. Sega's MAT trucks will be on-site at each venue to let gamers experience the massive gaming power of Sega Dreamcast with games such as "Sega Sports(tm) World Series(R)Baseball 2K1" and "Metropolis Street Racer(tm)." Later this summer, Ozzfest 2000 attendees will experience online console gaming for the first time via SegaNet. Gamers can make history being among the first to experience online console gaming with inaugural titles such as "Quake III Arena(tm) " and "Sega Sports NFL 2K1." Sega is also the main sponsor of the second stage, where up-and-coming bands are highlighted. Five "meet-and-greets" will also be offered in select markets nationwide, giving concert goers a chance to meet their favorite bands after the show.

Blink 182 Tour

This year's nationwide Blink 182 tour, sponsored by Sega, will trek the country from May 19 until the end of June. One of the tour buses will be shrink-wrapped with Sega.com, Sega Dreamcast and Sonic the Hedgehog(tm) signage and parked in front of each concert venue. As part of a nationwide radio promotion, one autographed Sega Dreamcast unit will be given away in each of the 35 markets where the band performs. A backstage party is scheduled to take place at the L.A. Forum during E3, as well. A photo shoot of the band members will take place during their tour stop in San Diego.

Interscope Records/Family Values Tour CD Release

Interscope Records will release a CD of 1999's FVT concert tour via a national direct response TV campaign on May 11. For those who purchase the CD from www.twec.com (Transworld), a $10 coupon will be awarded towards the additional online purchase of a Sega Sports title, such as "Sega Sports NFL 2K," "Sega Sports NBA 2K" or "Sega Sports NHL(R) 2K." A nationwide radio promotion will also give listeners the chance to register at score.sega.com to play Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst on Sega Dreamcast. The grand prize winner will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the FVT concert of their choice to battle Durst on stage in a Sega Dreamcast game. The runner-up will play him online.

Tommy Boy Records and "Space Channel 5"

Tommy Boy's Silver Label will be re-mixing the hit title song "Mexican Flyer" from "Space Channel 5(tm)," an upbeat, retro-futuristic, groovy dancing game, and releasing it as a dance single on the Billboard music charts in June. Tommy Boy's Silver Label has also created an eight track CD dance compilation entitled "Space Channel 5 Planet Dance" which will be given away to the first 35,000 people who pre-order the game from selected retailers. Music from the compilation will be played during the "Space Channel 5" dance show at E3 and Sega Dreamcast/"Space Channel 5" DJ record bags will be seeded to the top 200 Tommy Boy DJs throughout the country as part of the promotion. Tommy Boy will also host "Space Channel 5" dance parties in clubs in the top 10 markets.

Sega Dreamcast Presents The ACG Indoor

It's all about Sega Sports! Sega has partnered with NIKE, Inc., the premier athletic sporting goods company, to bring an innovative and unique event to the U.S. Continuing with its tradition of bringing breakthrough events and programming to its consumers, Sega will be the presenting sponsor of the first-ever U.S. indoor snowboarding event held in Chicago on August 26. The event will attract the top professional snowboarders from around the world and will be filmed and broadcast on the USA Network October 7 at 11 a.m. Sega Dreamcast gaming kiosks will be included inside the venue and the MAT trucks will be parked outside. The "Rumble with a Rock Star" promotion will also be presented where one lucky radio station winner will win a chance to challenge a top snowboarder in a Sega Dreamcast game. Graffiti artists will paint Sega Dreamcast characters on the snowboard ramp with art from "Jet Grind Radio(tm)". The top snowboarders at the exhibition will have the chance to play each other in Sega Dreamcast games throughout the event.

About Sega Dreamcast

The 128-bit Internet ready Sega Dreamcast is available in the US with a built-in 56K modem, allowing for full Internet functionality via SegaNet(tm), the only high-speed online console gaming network and ISP service for Sega Dreamcast and PC users. Sega Dreamcast currently has more than 80 titles available. The total Sega Dreamcast game library count will be more than 200 in the year 2000.

About SegaNet

Sega.com, Inc. is a new online Internet entertainment company whose goal is to become the online destination for gamers. Sega.com comprises of SegaNet, the only high-speed online console gaming network. SegaNet offers gamers the best in 3D multiplayer games, chat, community, cheat codes, tournaments and content. SegaNet is also an ISP for Sega Dreamcast and PC users, offering gamers everything they need to know about gaming and other areas of interest that tie in with gaming and other areas of interest that tie in with gaming including music, TV, community, movies, sports and e-commerce.

About Sega

Sega of America Dreamcast, Inc. 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 Enterprises, Ltd. is a nearly $2.5 billion company recognized as the industry leader in interactive digital entertainment media, offering interactive entertainment experiences both inside and outside the home. Sega of America's World Wide Web site is located at http://www.sega.com

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