Paramount Pictures' First-of-Its-Kind Program With Xbox Integrates Movie Content Within the Gaming Environment

Paramount Pictures' First-of-Its-Kind Program With Xbox Integrates Movie Content Within the Gaming Environment

Campaign Launches With 'Mission: Impossible III' and 'Nacho Libre'

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., April 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Paramount Pictures and Xbox have pioneered the first-ever Xbox Movie Showcase cross-platform marketing program between a movie studio and Microsoft's Xbox Live. Launching tomorrow (April 12, 2006), the Xbox Movie Showcase will feature free, high-definition, downloadable content from two of the most highly anticipated films of the summer: the action-thriller "Mission: Impossible III," starring Tom Cruise and directed by J.J. Abrams (the creator of "Lost" and "Alias"), hitting theaters May 5, and "Nacho Libre," a comedy starring Jack Black and directed by Jared Hess, the director of "Napoleon Dynamite," in theaters June 16.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991206/PARLOGO )

The Xbox Movie Showcase content includes HD movie trailers, exclusive theme packs, and graphics allowing Xbox gamers to customize their gaming experiences, theming their Xbox Live experience to "M:i:III" and "Nacho Libre." In addition, as part of this first-of-its kind agreement, stars of Paramount films, including Jack Black, will participate in Xbox's "Game with Fame," where gamers can enter for a chance to play a game online against their favorite celebrities. Taking the program off-line, Paramount's DVDs will be featured in a Digital Entertainment Lifestyle video promoted across Xbox kiosks in 30,000 retail stores worldwide.

Commenting on the announcement, Gerry Rich, president of worldwide motion picture marketing, said, "This ground-breaking agreement takes interactive marketing and digital entertainment to new heights, representing the perfect match between gamers and the summer movies they can't wait to see."

"Paramount shares our commitment to providing an entertaining and meaningful gaming experience for Xbox gamers," said Aaron Greenberg, Group Marketing Manager, Xbox Live. "We're excited to be starting out on this multi-picture campaign and look forward to continuing to provide compelling entertainment experiences to gamers everywhere."

Xbox Live momentum has accelerated since Xbox 360 was launched, with more than half of all Xbox 360 owners connecting with the online games and entertainment service, which boasts a worldwide community of more than 2 million members. Xbox Live has grown into a social community with 600,000 text messages sent every day between members and its Marketplace has reached over 10 million downloads.

Paramount's relationship with Xbox began in December with the unveiling of the HD teaser trailer for "Mission: Impossible III."

Paramount Pictures presents a Cruise|Wagner production, "Mission: Impossible III." The film is directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner, from a screenplay written by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci & J.J. Abrams, based on the television series created by Bruce Geller. The film stars Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ving Rhames, Billy Crudup, Michelle Monaghan, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Keri Russell, Maggie Q, and Laurence Fishburne. The film is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of frenetic violence and menace, disturbing images, and brief sensuality.

Paramount Pictures presents a Nickelodeon Movies and Black & White production of a Jared Hess film, "Nacho Libre," starring Jack Black. The film also stars Ana de la Reguera, Hector Jimenez, Richard Montoya, and Peter Stormare and is directed by Jared Hess. The screenplay is written by Jared Hess & Jerusha Hess & Mike White. "Nacho Libre" is produced by Mike White, Jack Black, Julia Pistor, and David Klawans. The executive producer is Steve Nicolaides. This film is not yet rated.

Paramount Pictures is part of the entertainment operations of Viacom Inc., one of the leading global entertainment content companies, with prominent and respected brands in focused demographics across virtually all media.

Contact: David Waldman Susan Ciccone
VP, Publicity VP, Publicity
Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures
(323) 956-5503 (323) 956-5588

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991206/PARLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Paramount Pictures

CONTACT: David Waldman, VP, Publicity, +1-323-956-5503, or Susan
Ciccone, VP, Publicity, +1-323-956-5588, both of Paramount Pictures

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