WINNIPEG, Manitoba, May 22, 2014 /CNW/ – Pollard Banknote Limited (TSX: PBL) (Pollard Banknote) is pleased to congratulate the Nebraska Lottery on the outstanding success of its first instant game to feature the highly sought-after licensed brand, Frogger. The Lottery’s $5 Frogger ticket has been leaping off the shelves since its launch on January 6, 2014—selling 50% above the average $5 game in its first 12 weeks on the market. After only four weeks, it was the highest-selling $5 game on the market.
Three decades after the first release of the classic Frogger video arcade game, published and licensed by Konami Digital Entertainment (“KONAMI”), interest in the game remains exceptionally strong in North America, and around the world. Pollard Banknote and the Nebraska Lottery leveraged the nostalgic appeal of this timeless brand to capture the attention of players through an advertisement featured on the Lottery’s website. The eye-catching ad linked players to a Frogger microsite that featured a free-to-play interactive version of the classic Frogger game—an added value of the brand that increases excitement, and keeps players engaged.
“We are thrilled that Pollard Banknote’s exclusive Frogger brand continues to perform extremely well in jurisdictions throughout North America, most recently boasting remarkable success for the Nebraska Lottery,” said Sina Aiello, Vice President, Marketing, Pollard Banknote. “With 18 successful Frogger launches to date—and more to come in 2014—this brand continues to achieve excellent results for many of our lottery partners. The incredible sales generated by the Nebraska Lottery’s Frogger game once again speaks to the all-encompassing appeal of this classic brand. New and existing players alike are drawn not only to the instantly recognizable characters, but to the fun and engaging interactive game that is reminiscent of the popular and time-honored arcade game.”
“We’re very pleased with the results from our $5 Frogger game,” said Jim Haynes, Director, Nebraska Lottery. “The combination of classic video game graphics and a unique play style appealed to our players, and the interactive game was a great addition to our website.”
Frogger is part of Pollard Banknote’s sales-driving portfolio of high profile brands that are selected to appeal to the existing lottery player while attracting new players that are brand loyal. In addition, Pollard Banknote provides a turnkey solution and full-scale program of promotional support with its licensed games—customized to each lottery and its specific market. In addition to designing, programming, and printing the themed tickets, Pollard Banknote’s integrated marketing strategies include second chance drawings, interactive games for brand interaction, retailer promotions, consumer launch events, advertising development, social media campaigns, point of sale materials, and ‘how-to-play’ videos—just to name a few!
About Konami Group
Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties. Konami’s titles include the popular franchises METAL GEAR SOLID, Silent Hill, DanceDanceRevolution, and Castlevania, among other top sellers. KONAMI CORPORATION is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. in Windsor, UK. KONAMI CORPORATION is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. The latest information about Konami and details about the products it publishes can be found at www.konami.com.
About Pollard Banknote
Pollard Banknote is a leading lottery partner to more than 50 lotteries worldwide, providing high quality instant ticket products, licensed games and strategic marketing and management services for both traditional instant games and the emerging iLottery space of web, mobile and social channels. The company is a proven innovator and has decades of experience helping lotteries to maximize player engagement, sales, and proceeds for good causes. Pollard Banknote also plays a major role in the charitable pull-tab and bingo markets in North America. Established in 1907, Pollard Banknote is owned approximately 73.5% by the Pollard family and 26.5% by public shareholders and is publicly traded on the TSX (PBL). For more information, please visit our website at www.pollardbanknote.com.
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 that 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.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Doug Pollard
Co-Chief Executive Officer
Telephone: (204) 474-2323
E-mail: dpollard@pbl.ca
John Pollard
Co-Chief Executive Officer
Telephone: (204) 474-2323
E-mail: jpollard@pbl.ca
Rob Rose
Chief Financial Officer
Telephone: (204) 474-2323
E-mail: rrose@pbl.ca