Pokemon(TM) Coming to Burger King(R) 57 Toys in 56 Days: 151 Trading Cards; 6 Gold-Plated Cards
MIAMI, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- This holiday season, the rapidly expanding legions of Pokemon(TM) fans will have new ways to satisfy their hunger. Starting November 8, 1999 the appealing Pokemon creatures will inhabit more than 8,000 BURGER KING® restaurants nationwide. The eight-week promotion boasts 57 toys in 56 days -- one included in each kids meal. The toys, each of which are packed in a Poke Ball and include one of 151 trading cards, is the largest effort ever for the fast food giant. Nintendo of America Inc. has partnered with Burger King Corporation for the limited time Pokemon promotion, in conjunction with the November 10, 1999 release of Pokemon's first animated feature, WB Kids Presents ''Pokemon: The First Movie.''
Additionally, consumers can purchase one of six collectible 23K gold plated trading cards for $1.99 with the purchase of any value meal beginning Nov. 15. Each of the six collectible cards comes packaged in a mechanized Poke Ball and includes a certificate of authenticity. The six characters are #25 Pikachu(TM), #151 Mewtwo(TM), #39 Jigglypuff(TM), #61 Poliwhirl(TM), #06 Charizard(TM), and Togepi(TM).
The promotion is scheduled to run through Dec. 31, 1999 at participating restaurants, or while supplies last.
''Our toy manufacturers are working around the clock to keep up with fulfillment demand from our restaurants,'' said Richard Taylor, vice president, Marketing for Burger King Corporation.
To help kids ''collect 'em all,'' participating BURGER KING restaurants around the country will offer ''trading nights'' for four (4) consecutive Tuesdays, beginning November 23 allowing consumers to trade their BURGER KING collectibles. While children are expected to be accompanied by an adult at the trading nights, no purchase is necessary. The promotion itself, as well as the trading nights, will be nationally advertised.
Toy Functionality:
The 57 toys feature seven different design functionalities, including squirters, bean bags, keychains, launchers, light-ups, talking plush toys and rev-tops. Special talking plush Pikachu designs will be available each week.
The trading cards, which are randomly packed with the toys, were created exclusively for the BURGER KING system. Nintendo-licensed Pokemon characters will be printed on the front and the back of the trading cards and will feature one of ten scenes from ''Pokemon: The First Movie.''
Website Component:
www.burgerking.com will feature a special interactive Poke Dex(TM) where kids can track their progress in collecting all the toys. Other ''cool stuff'' will also be available on the company's website, beginning Nov. 8.
''Our Pokemon promotion will be the most significant program ever executed at our restaurants. Timing is everything when tying into hot properties. With the current unparalleled demand for Pokemon, we're thrilled to make this wildly popular property accessible to our customers on Nov. 8, 1999,'' said Taylor.
According to Taylor, ''teaser'' in-store merchandising caused a flood of inquiries from young consumers to the Burger King website, resulting in it being overloaded with hits. As a result, the Company installed server upgrades to accommodate Poke Fever.
''Nintendo and BURGER KING have cooked up a phenomenal holiday promotion befitting this year's hottest property, Pokemon,'' said Peter Main, Nintendo's executive vice president, Sales and Marketing. ''From Game Boy to the local movie theater to the neighborhood BURGER KING restaurant, Pokemon fans won't have to look far to whet their Pokemon appetites!''
The Pokemon phenomenon in America began in September 1998 with the release of the original Blue and Red Game Boy games and debut of the television series. More than 7 million Pokemon related video games have been sold to date. Pokemon has entertained millions of fans all over the world with a best-selling toy line, a hugely popular card game, the upcoming release of a major motion picture on November 10, 1999 and a multitude of licensed products.
Burger King Corporation and its franchisees operate more than 10,600 restaurants in all 50 states and 54 countries and international territories around the world. Since the company's founding in Miami in 1954, the BURGER KING® brand has become recognized for great flame-broiled taste and HAVE IT YOUR WAY® food customization. In fiscal year 1999, the BURGER KING system has system-wide sales of $10.9 billion. Burger King Corporation is a part of Diageo (NYSE: DEO - news), the international food and drinks company, that includes such brands as Pillsbury, Haagen Dazs, and Guinness.
Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, is the acknowledged worldwide leader in the creation of interactive entertainment. To date, Nintendo has sold more than one billion video games worldwide, created such industry icons as Mario and Donkey Kong and launched franchises like The Legend of Zelda and Pokemon. Nintendo manufactures and markets hardware and software for its popular home video game systems, including Nintendo 64 and Game Boy -- the world's best-selling video game system. As a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in North America.
For more information about Nintendo products, visit the company's web site at www.nintendo.com or the official Pokemon web site, at www.pokemon.com.
SOURCE: Burger King Corporation
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