Activision(R) Signs Legendary Skateboarder Bob Burnquist To Exclusive Worldwide Video Game Licensing and Sponsorship Agreement
Top Skateboarder and Action Sports Star Brings Signature Style To Activision O2(TM)'s Highly Successful Tony Hawk's Pro Skater(TM) Franchise
Considered by many to be one of the most innovative skaters today, Burnquist has participated in the sport since 1987 and began his professional career in 1989 in Brazil. Since then, he was ranked the #1 vert ramp skater in the world at the end of the 2000 season, has earned multiple X Games and Gravity Games gold medals, and has won top industry awards such as the 2002 Transworld Rider's Poll which included the WCS Award for the Highest Points in Vert as well as the Rider's Choice for Best Vert Skater. Burnquist has become such a leader in the sport because of his ability to perform any trick in both the regular and switch stance.
"I am very excited to continue my relationship with Activision," said Bob Burnquist. "The success of the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series has helped to expand the popularity of skateboarding around the world. I'm a big fan of video games and it feels great to be a role model for kids today."
"Bob is one of the most popular and respected athletes in action sports today," stated Will Kassoy, vice president, global brand management. "Throughout his career he has been an inspiration for thousands of up and coming skaters around the world. We are very pleased to extend our relationship in video games with Bob, and are excited to have Bob as an Activision O2 sponsored athlete."
Activision's award-winning studio, Neversoft Entertainment, is currently in development with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4, the latest title in the series, which is slated for release this fall on all of the next-generation console platforms.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted revenues of $786 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002.
Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, Scandinavia and the Netherlands. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site, which is located at www.activision.com .
The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." The Company cautions readers of this press release that a number of important factors could cause Activision's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward- looking statements. These important factors, and other factors that could affect Activision, are described in Activision's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002, which was filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers of this press release are referred to such filings.