Frogger Ticket Success in Michigan

WINNIPEG, Dec. 19, 2013 /CNW/ - Pollard Banknote Limited (TSX: PBL) ("Pollard Banknote") is pleased to announce the impressive sales results of the Michigan Lottery's latest $2 instant game—Frogger! Unlike the frogs in the popular video game published and licensed by Konami Digital Entertainment ("KONAMI"), this instant ticket has no obstacles in its way. Launched on October 1, 2013, the Frogger instant game is making leaps and bounds in the Michigan market—selling 41% above the average $2 game and selling more than $7 million in its first five weeks in the market. Due to the exceptional sales, the Lottery has placed a reorder for the game.

The Michigan Lottery's Frogger ticket encapsulates the brand equity of the classic Frogger video arcade game by KONAMI, and features an extended play format and whimsical ticket art that resonates with players. This game also gives holders of non-winning tickets a second chance to win by playing the Frogger Challenge interactive game on the Michigan Lottery's Player's Club website. Rather than a game of chance, like most instant ticket second chance contests, Frogger game skill is rewarded. The players with the three highest scores each week win a total of $175 worth of instant tickets. Emulating the arcade video game, the interactive version offers a leaderboard, allowing players to see where they rank among the top 50 scores, and instilling excitement and a competitive spirit. This interactive promotion continues until March 31, 2014.

"The Michigan Lottery selected this game for its broad appeal. We knew it would draw existing instant players, while attracting new players who fondly recall Frogger from their youth, as well as the 18 to 34 year-old demographic who are drawn to the interactive online game," explained Tom Weber, Chief Deputy Commissioner, Michigan Lottery. "We were confident in the sales power of Frogger, and it has not let us down. An impressive 90% of the tickets were sold in just five weeks. In addition to its sales success, we are very excited about the player engagement this game has achieved, with over 88,000 interactive games played to date."

"Exclusively offered by Pollard Banknote, Michigan Lottery's Frogger is one of many recent Frogger instant ticket success stories, proving that Frogger has strong brand power in the North American market," remarked Sina Aiello, Vice President, Marketing, Pollard Banknote. "With a leaderboard and prizing based on interactive game play, this game represents an interesting evolution of our Frogger interactive game. These unique characteristics add additional excitement for players who compete in order to jump to the top of the leaderboard and ultimately win fun prizes."

Pollard Banknote and its predecessor companies have been the primary instant ticket supplier to the Michigan Lottery since 1986. The Michigan Lottery reported annual sales of $2.4 billion in fiscal year 2012, and generated over $778 million in net revenue for Michigan's School Aid Fund, which supports public education programs throughout the State. Since 1972, the Lottery's total contributions to schooling have grown to exceed $17 billion.

About Pollard Banknote Limited

Pollard Banknote Limited is one of the world's leading full-service lottery vendors and is a major supplier to North America's charitable gaming industry. The company manufactures instant lottery tickets and provides related programming, design, and marketing support. As well, Pollard Banknote manufactures pull-tab tickets and bingo paper, and supplies lottery management services (including warehousing and distribution). Established in 1907, Pollard Banknote is owned approximately 73.5% by the Pollard family and 26.5% by public shareholders and currently serves more than 50 lotteries worldwide, including some of the largest and most respected lotteries in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Central and South America. For more information, please visit our website at www.pollardbanknote.com.

About Konami Group

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties. Konami's titles include the popular franchises METAL GEAR SOLID, Silent Hill, DanceDanceRevolution and Castlevania, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. KONAMI CORPORATION is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. in Windsor, UK. KONAMI CORPORATION is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at http://www.konami.com.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking" statements and information, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. When used in this document, such statements include such words as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "plan," and other similar terminology. These statements reflect management's current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this document. There should not be an expectation that such information will in all circumstances be updated, supplemented, or revised whether as a result of new information, changing circumstances, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE: Pollard Banknote Limited

Pollard Banknote Limited
Sina Aiello
Vice President, Marketing
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected] 

Konami Digital Entertainment
Brandon Cox 
Senior Manager, Public Relations
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]