REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 28, 2002 — Microsoft Corp. and Anheuser-Busch Inc. today announced an interactive bar program for Budweiser and the Xbox (TM) video game system, scheduled to visit bars, clubs and pubs during evening hours, for contemporary adult consumers 21 years old or older. The national program will be conducted in more than 100 markets by nearly 300 Anheuser-Busch wholesalers from Oct. 28 through the end of the year.
“The program with Budweiser provides great visibility for Xbox and our new Microsoft® Game Studios games within a key adult audience,”
said Cindy Spodek Dickey, group manager for Xbox at Microsoft.
“Xbox has been leading the video game industry in innovation and realism since its launch last year, and we’re proud to bring exciting gaming action into new venues this fall. This is the start of an ongoing marketing relationship for Anheuser-Busch and Xbox. We look forward to working together to build on the leadership both companies have in their respective industries.”
More than 300 Xbox systems and RCA Vport televisions will be used to showcase Xbox games through approximately 1,200 promotions per week. The promotion provides an open-play format in which consumers 21 and older can play new video games while visiting bars and clubs.
“Getting together with friends and playing video games are two key interests of contemporary adult consumers across the country,”
said Dan Hoffmann, director of retail sales promotion at Anheuser-Busch.
“This is a great opportunity for the Budweiser brand, a leader in the beer industry, to work with Xbox, a leader in video game entertainment, to bring exciting new video games to men and women 21 and older in places where they like to socialize already.”
A full line of Xbox/Budweiser point-of-sale materials and premium items will be offered. In addition, adult consumers can win giveaway items such as Xbox games or merchandise coupons by participating in the promotion.
About Budweiser
Budweiser ( http://www.budweiser.com/ ), the world’s best-selling beer, is brewed by Anheuser-Busch Inc. Anheuser-Busch operates 14 breweries, 12 in the United States and two overseas, and sells beer in more than 80 countries.
About Xbox
Xbox ( http://www.xbox.com/ ) is Microsoft’s future-generation video game system that delivers the most powerful games experiences ever. Xbox empowers game artists by giving them the technology to fulfill their creative visions as never before, creating games that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Xbox is now available in North America, Japan, Europe and Australia.
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the PC, Xbox video game system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse game portfolios for the PC ( http://www.microsoft.com/games/ ), including such franchises as
“Age of Empires® ,” “Flight Simulator”
and
“Zoo Tycoon (TM)”
; Xbox ( http://www.xbox.com/ ), including such franchises as
“Halo (TM) ,” “Project Gotham Racing (TM)”
and
“NFL Fever”
; and Zone.com ( http://www.zone.com/ ), the official games channel for the MSN®
network and home to such hits as
“Bejeweled”
and
“OutSmart (TM) .”
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
Microsoft, Xbox, Age of Empires, Zoo Tycoon, Halo, Project Gotham Racing, MSN and OutSmart, are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at h http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.asp .
