Encore Signs Multi-Year North American Deal With Hasbro to Bring Popular Board Games to the PC Platform
July 18 2006 - 7:35PM
PR Newswire (US)
Deal Will Introduce All New Versions of MONOPOLY(R), SCRABBLE(R),
CLUE(R), THE GAME OF LIFE(R) and YAHTZEE(R) LOS ANGELES, July 18
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Encore Software, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Navarre Corporation (NASDAQ:NAVR) and an interactive
publisher in the PC CD-ROM market announced today that it has
signed a multi- year agreement with the Hasbro Properties Group,
the intellectual property development arm of Hasbro, Inc.
(NYSE:HAS), to publish all-new PC software versions of some of
their popular board games in North America. Mike Bell, CEO of
Encore said, "Publishing these classic Hasbro game brands is a
strategic bull's-eye for Encore. We are augmenting our
entertainment portfolio to continually meet the demands of retail
consumers. I look forward to the long term results of these
powerhouse brands." As part of a multi-platform launch in North
America, MONOPOLY and SCRABBLE will be the first of the new
releases. MONOPOLY HERE & NOW will feature an all-new game
board equipped with modern day locations. These will be available
for purchase at major retailers this holiday season. YAHTZEE, CLUE
and the GAME OF LIFE will be available in 2007. "Encore's breadth
of retail distribution and deep experience managing top tier brands
made the choice of CD-ROM publisher for these popular brands quite
simple," said Jane Ritson-Parsons, president of the Hasbro
Properties Group. "We look forward to employing their publishing
infrastructure to make these brands available to casual gamers who
enjoy playing our classic games on their PCs." About Navarre
Corporation Navarre Corporation (NASDAQ:NAVR) is a publisher and
distributor of physical and digital home entertainment and
multimedia products, including PC software, CD audio, DVD and VHS
video, video games and accessories. Since its founding in 1983, the
company has established distribution relationships with customers
across a wide spectrum of retail channels which includes mass
merchants, discount, wholesale club, office and music superstores,
military and e-tailers nationwide. The company currently provides
its products to over 19,000 retail and distribution center
locations throughout the United States and Canada. Navarre has
expanded its business to include the licensing and publishing of
home entertainment and multimedia content, primarily through the
acquisitions of Encore Software, BCI, and FUNimation. For more
information, please visit the company's web site at
http://www.navarre.com/ . About Encore Based in Los Angeles, CA,
Encore is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation
(NASDAQ:NAVR), and an interactive publisher in the PC CD-ROM
market. As a result of strategic licensing agreements, the company
publishes a complete range of award-winning utility, entertainment,
education and productivity software titles. Publishing brands
include PC Tools Spyware Doctor(TM), Web.com(R) Site Builder and
Hosting Suite, Hoyle(R), Marine Aquarium, Family Tree Maker(R), 3D
Home Architect(R) and Advantage; as well as the Riverdeep family of
brands including The Print Shop(R), PrintMaster(R), Reader
Rabbit(R) and Mavis Beacon(R). About the Hasbro Properties Group
The Hasbro Properties Group (HPG), the intellectual property
development arm of Hasbro, Inc., (NYSE:HAS), translates one of the
industry's richest portfolios of brands into a world of fun and
excitement for children and adults globally. Through a host of
publishing, digital media, lifestyle and entertainment platforms,
HPG is able to surround fans worldwide with consumer products that
expand Hasbro's core brands, such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET
SHOP, MY LITTLE PONY, MONOPOLY, G.I. JOE, TONKA and PLAYSKOOL.
DATASOURCE: Navarre Corporation CONTACT: Haug Scharnowski, VP
Corporate Relations of Navarre Corporation, +1-763-450-2352, Web
site: http://www.navarre.com/
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