Poker news from http://biz.yahoo.com/
LOS ANGELES, July 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA) Wednesday honored the WORLD POKER TOUR® (Nasdaq: WPTE - News) as the Best Sports Brand License of the Year for 2005 at the LIMA International Licensing Excellence Awards. Brandgenuity LLC, a New York based licensing agency, which handles North American licensing for the brand was also commended for its contribution. The event held in New York at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, salutes the industry's premier licensed products.
"This singular award from LIMA -- the most prestigious in the licensing industry -- is a testament to the enduring strength of the brand that WPT Enterprises has built and to the incredible partners who have come on board to creatively leverage the WORLD POKER TOUR's consumer and TV viewer loyalty," said Andrea Green, Vice President of Global Consumer Products. "The work that Brandgenuity and our newer global agents -- Granada Ventures in Europe and Newman International in Australia/New Zealand -- have done to grow our stable of 40+ licensees and manage the process has been outstanding."
As well as receiving this accolade, two WORLD POKER TOUR partners were singled out for their expertise, as well. Hands-On Mobile and MDI/Scientific Games were both nominated for Best Sports Brand Licensee for their WPT Mobile Games and Scratch Off Lottery Tickets, respectively.
LIMA stages its annual tribute to recognize the licensing industry's "best and brightest." "The LIMA Licensing Excellence Awards are the industry's most prestigious recognition of outstanding achievement," said Charles Riotto, President of LIMA. "WPT Enterprises has done an outstanding job of building its brand through its creative, multi-faceted licensing program. I congratulate them on winning this award against some very strong competition."
The WPT debuted on The Travel Channel March 2003 and began a licensing program which initially focused on apparel and poker-related products. The company branched into lifestyle goods that now range from jewelry to bar mirrors to video games to mobile phone content. As the broadcast of the WPT shows has expanded to 150 countries around the world, WPTE has begun acquiring licensing partners in Australia and Europe.
The WPT launched the poker phenomenon when it first aired on the Travel Channel on March 30, 2003, and it continues to lead the way in developing poker as a major international sport. Viewers and aspiring tour players can log on to www.worldpokertour.com for ways to improve their game and to get the latest WPT schedules, information and merchandise. The highest rated show ever on The Travel Channel, the WPT is now seen in more than 150 countries and territories worldwide. WORLD POKER TOUR® airs every Wednesday at 9 p.m. EST/PST on the Travel Channel in the U.S.
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