WPT Enterprises Inc. Deal with U.Ks Granada Ventures as European Licensing Agent

Posted:January 2005

Press Release

London (17 January 2005) – WPT Enterprises Inc. (Nasdaq: WPTE) has named Granada Ventures, ITV’s merchandise, licensing and publishing division to be its European licensing agent for World Poker Tour merchandise. The company is part of ITV, the powerful family of networks broadcasting in the United Kingdom. The WPT currently airs every Friday night at 10 on ITV4 in the U. K.– just one of more than 130 international countries and territories viewing the WPT around the globe.

Granada Ventures will be charged with expanding the growing base of regional licensees marketing World Poker Tour branded products based on the television show and sports league that launched the worldwide poker boom. 

“Europe has already proven to be a wonderfully receptive region for WPT-brand products, in particular within the U. K., and we are truly excited to be joining forces with Granada Ventures because they have the expertise to exponentially increase our licensing line-up in the region,” said Andrea Green, WPTE VP of Global Consumer Products.

Gerry Donahue at Granada Ventures noted that the company is already talking to prospects in the marketplace. “ The World Poker Tour brand is a great acquisition for us”, said Donahue. “It increases our adult licensing offering and strengthens our portfolio in the sporting sector. We’ve already had a great deal of speculative interest from licensees and we’re looking forward to announcing our first licensing deals in the very near future.”

Granada Ventures anticipates that WPT products will begin showing up in stores by spring 2006. The company also successfully manages licensing programs for Arsenal and Liverpool football clubs in addition to ITV broadcast brands, and has also recently expanded its offering in the comedy sector with licensing programs for hit U. K. comedies Little Britain and Catherine Tate.

In addition to managing the licensing program for the WPT brand, Granada will participate in the marketing of WPTE’s global online gaming platform, WPTonline.com.

 

WPTE launched its international licensing campaign in the second quarter of 2005. WPT Consumer Products has already experienced tremendous 2005 fall/holiday sales in the U. k., Scandinavia and France with U.S. Playing Card distributor Flair, wireless phone partner Mforma and hand-held game licensee Radica. Take 2/2K Sports will launch its PAL version of the World Poker Tour video game throughout Europe and Australia in January 2006. In addition to Granada Ventures, WPTE has authorized Newman International Group, based in Melbourne, as agent for Australia and New Zealand.

The World Poker Tour is the global leader in poker. The WPT introduced poker to a worldwide audience through its innovative and riveting brand of televised poker, now seen in more than 130 countries and territories. Capturing all the excitement and sizzling action at its 17 Tour stops around the globe, the shows sets the gold standard in poker programming. The WPT inspired a global poker phenomenon that has attracted millions of men and women to the game and legions of devoted followers to the poker lifestyle. It has transformed poker into the sport of choice for vast numbers of viewers and players, and the hundreds of millions of dollars of prize money on the Tour has attracted aspiring WPT champions from all over the world. The World Poker Tour airs every Friday night on ITV4 in the U. K. and Wednesday night on the Travel Channel, 9 p.m. ET/PT in the United States.

For more information, go to www.worldpokertour.com.

 
Improve
Your
Game
 

Some popular player guides..

An introductory guide suited to beginner level players on how to play poker.

How easy is it to make money playing poker online? There are things you can do to maximise your profits.

To be considered a top player online or live, you'll have to master how to play heads up (1 against 1).

There are tons of free money offers on offer for players looking for a site. Compare our best bonus offers of the month.

Tips from professional poker players to help you stay profitable. Advice which will almost certainly improve your results!

Sign up today and get

$20 FREE to play cash games!

Newsletter

Facebook