Pollard Banknote Announces Tetris® Brand Instant Ticket Game Launch In Québec

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, August 29, 2011 /CNW/ – Pollard Banknote Limited (TSX: PBL) (Pollard Banknote), a global leader in the production and merchandising of instant lottery tickets, along with Loto-Québec and The Tetris Company, LLC have teamed up to bring Québecers a Tetris® themed instant lottery ticket. 

Launched on August 22, 2011, the Loto-Québec $3 Tetris lottery game offers players the chance to instantly win up to $25,000, as well as the opportunity to play the Tetris game online and join a second chance draw via Loto-Québec’s interactive website. Second chance prizing includes exciting merchandise such as an electronic tablet, mp3 players, a current-generation gaming console, and gift cards. 

“The Tetris brand has become a lifestyle and we’re thrilled to introduce the first Pollard Tetris-themed lottery ticket in Canada,” said Henk Rogers, Managing Director of The Tetris Company.  

The Tetris game is one of the most popular casual video games of all time, with hundreds of millions of players worldwide and loved by people of all ages. Always delivering an exciting and compelling experience, the game keeps players coming back again and again.  Twenty-seven years after its initial release, the Tetris game remains one of the bestselling mobile games of all time with over 132 million paid downloads. Recently, the Tetris brand has expanded from electronic games, to merchandise products including clothing, tabletop games, card games, stress toys, wall graphics, furniture and home decor. 

“The Tetris brand has really caught on in the lottery world. This is the second Tetris game to be launched during the month of August in North America, and there are more launches to come in the near future,” exclaimed Sina Aiello, Vice President, Licensed Products, Pollard Banknote. “This popular brand crosses all language barriers. We are excited to partner with Loto-Québec and provide marketing support and prizing that will thrill and make Tetris the topic of water cooler talk throughout Québec.”

Pollard Banknote’s Licensed Products Division offers a turnkey integrated marketing support solution for the success of licensed games, including online focus testing, ticket design, prize structure consultation, online contests, interactive games, second chance draws, special event and street team management, digital and social media campaigns, point-of-sale merchandising support, and in-depth post-game analysis.

About the Tetris® Brand

The Tetris® brand is one of the leading and most distinctive video game brands and franchises in the world. In the game’s 25+-year history, hundreds of millions of players have experienced the Tetris Effect. Tetris has reached over 132 million paid mobile downloads. Loved globally by people of all ages and all cultures, the Tetris game continues to be one of the most widely recognized video games of all time. Tetris Holding, LLC is the owner of Tetris rights worldwide and The Tetris Company, LLC is its exclusive licensee. The Tetris Company, through its agent Blue Planet Software, Inc., licenses and manages the Tetris intellectual property and franchise worldwide. Today, Blue Planet Software continues to work with licensees to deliver top quality Tetris products that are relevant, fun and challenging for its millions of players. For the latest information about the Tetris brand and Tetris products, please visit http://www.Tetris.com.

About Pollard Banknote Limited

Pollard Banknote Limited is one of the world’s leading full-service lottery vendors and is a major supplier to North America’s charitable gaming industry. The company manufactures instant tickets and provides related programming, design, and marketing support. As well, Pollard Banknote manufactures pull tab tickets and bingo paper, and supplies lottery management services (including warehousing and distribution). Established in 1907, Pollard Banknote is owned approximately 73.5% by the Pollard family and 26.5% by public shareholders and currently serves more than 50 lotteries worldwide, including some of the largest and most respected lotteries in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Central and South America.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking” statements and information which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. When used in this document, such statements include such words as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “plan,” and other similar terminology. These statements reflect management’s current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this document. There should not be an expectation that such information will in all circumstances be updated, supplemented, or revised whether as a result of new information, changing circumstances, future events, or otherwise.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Monica Caires
Grayling Connecting Point for the Tetris® Brand
Phone: (415) 442-4027
monica.caires@graylingcp.com