MIRA.L Regulatory News (MIRA)

7 Sep 2006 07:01

Yoomedia PLC07 September 2006 YooMedia plc / Ticker: YOO / Index: AIM / Sector: Media 7 September 2006 YooMedia plc ("YooMedia" or the "Group") Agreement with Playboy Enterprises, Inc. to Launch TV and Mobile Gaming YooMedia, the AIM-traded interactive content and services provider, has signed amulti-year exclusive agreement with Playboy Enterprises, Inc. ('Playboy') (NYSE:PLA, PLAA), the leading entertainment and lifestyle company, to provide acasino-type-style gaming service for Playboy's range of satellite TV channelsand mobile phones services. Under the terms of the agreement, Playboy will offer state-of-the-art,fixed-odds, casino-style gaming to all its customers in the UK and Ireland, andwill market these services to its customers and databases via TV, the Web,direct communications and both above and below-the-line promotions. YooMediawill provide other third-party distribution via mobile operators, retail storesand other means of physical and digital distribution. The companies will alsojointly explore other value-added services, including enhancing the Playboychannels with gaming and other interactive TV programming. The services will include a red-button gaming portal as well as a Java-basedwireless portal, and will comprise over 20 gaming titles such as roulette, keno,bingo-keno, hi-lo as well as various card games by final delivery. The portalsare backed by YooMedia's proprietary back-end gaming systems, multi-platformE-Wallet and game client software. YooMedia's wireless portal is operator andhandset-agnostic and functions on almost all handsets in circulation. YooMedia Managing Director Neil MacDonald said: "World-renowned multimediaentertainment brand Playboy is yet another key strategic partner for us, joiningYooMedia's growing list of high profile partners. We were delighted to win thisagreement in competitive tender, and look forward to playing a crucial role inthis iconic brand's move into the UK and Irish wireless and TV gaming market." Playboy's Divisional Vice President of Location Based Entertainment JeffGeorgino said: "Playboy, with its well-known history in gaming, continuouslylooks for innovative ways to embrace technology and extend its brand. Partneringwith YooMedia, a well-established, hi-tech pioneer, enables us to move into theUK and Irish TV and wireless gaming markets with confidence." * * ENDS * * For further information, visit www.yoomedia.com or contact: YooMedia plcNeil MacDonald, Group Managing DirectorTel: 020 7462 0870 St Brides Media & Finance LtdIsabel CrossleyTel: 020 7242 4477 Playboy Global LicensingLisa Hagendorf, Director of Public RelationsTel: 07795 556 169 About YooMedia plc YooMedia is one of the fastest growing interactive entertainment companies inthe UK. Essentially, it develops and delivers premium interactive content andservices to households and individuals via TV, the web, telephony and mobilephones. It has four main divisions: • YooMedia Dating - manages dating brands including Dateline and Avenues from over 20 locations throughout the UK. Operates across traditional media, digital TV, internet and mobile phones. • YooMedia Gambling & Games - interactive fixed odds, play for fun casino and poker related games services for digital TV, the web and mobile phones. Brands include Channel 852, operated on behalf of William Hill, and Avago, which was established by YooMedia and is now managed on behalf of Gala Group. • YooMedia Interactive Services - delivers interactive content that enhances consumer and audience experiences. Customers include the BBC, Nestle, Celador, Channel 4, The Cartoon Network, Anheuser Busch, and HR Owen. • YooMedia Public Sector - provides digital solutions/media services to leading public sector organisations including the NHS Direct Interactive TV service, the Learning and Skills Council TV Kickstart service and a range of local authority TV services. The Group's experienced management team includes: Chairman, Dr. MichaelSinclair, who holds a number of directorships in both the UK and the USA havingpreviously founded Lifetime Corporation; and Managing Director, Neil MacDonald,whose career spans 11 years in multimedia and interactive sectors plus a further19 years in the retail industry. About Playboy Enterprises, Inc. Playboy Enterprises is a brand-driven, international multimedia entertainmentcompany that publishes editions of Playboy magazine around the world; operatesPlayboy and Spice television networks and distributes programming globally viaDVD and a network of web sites including Playboy.com, a leading men's lifestyleand entertainment web site; and licenses the Playboy trademark internationallyfor a range of consumer products and services. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange