MINNEAPOLIS, March 23, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Navarre Corporation (Nasdaq:NAVR), publisher and distributor of physical and digital home entertainment and multimedia products, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Encore has expanded its agreement with The United States Playing Card Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Jarden Corporation, to become the exclusive publisher of Bicycle™ Card interactive PC, Mac and console games. New games including Multiplayer Texas Hold 'Em, Totally Cool Card Games Collection, Blackjack, Solitaire, Canasta, Hearts and others will start shipping in March 2010. The announcement comes as USPC celebrates the 125th anniversary of Bicycle® Playing Cards this year.
Under the terms of the expanded agreement, Encore will manage the development, manufacturing, marketing and sales of new Bicycle™ brand interactive games for PC, Mac and console platforms in the retail, direct-to-consumer and OEM channels. Encore will operate all online sales and marketing activities at www.bicyclecardgames.com. ;
Previously, Encore exclusively distributed the #1-ranked PC/MAC Hoyle® game Card, Casino, Puzzle & Board and Slots titles in the U.S. and Canadian retail, direct-to-consumer and OEM Channels. Expanding the current portfolio to include Bicycle™ brand interactive card games is a strategic move to increase sales and secure Encore's place as a category leader.
"Building on the great momentum we have created with Hoyle® brand PC and Mac games, we are confident that Bicycle™ interactive games will dramatically increase the strength of our portfolio," said Cal Morrell, president of Encore. "Bicycle® is the best-selling playing card brand in the world, and Encore expects Bicycle™ brand interactive games to have mass appeal and to yield increasingly higher sales."
"Given Encore's success during the past five years in the marketing and brand management of the Hoyle® software games, Encore is well positioned to develop, market and sell Bicycle™ brand interactive games," said Phil Dolci, president of The United States Playing Card Company. "We anticipate continued success as consumers look for digital versions of their favorite offline card games."
About Encore
Based in Los Angeles, CA, Encore(R) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation and a leading retail software publisher. As a result of strategic licensing agreements, the company publishes a broad range of award-winning utility, entertainment, education and productivity software titles. Publishing brands include Hoyle®, Hasbro, Advantage, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!; The Print Shop, PrintMaster and Mavis Beacon. Many of these products and others are available at www.broderbund.com, www.encore.com, www.encoreusa.com, www.hoylegaming.com and www.bicyclecardgames.com.
About Navarre Corporation
Navarre® Corporation is a publisher and distributer of computer software, home entertainment media and related products. The company publishes computer software in its Encore® subsidiary and produces animé video through its FUNimation Entertainment® subsidiary. Navarre Distribution Services provides complete distribution and third-party logistics (3PL) services to North American retailers and their suppliers. Navarre was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Additional information can be found at www.navarre.com.
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About The United States Playing Card Company
The United States Playing Card Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Jarden Corporation is the leader in the production and distribution of premier brands of playing cards, including BEE®, BICYCLE®, AVIATOR®, HOYLE®, KEM® and CONGRESS® playing cards. BICYCLE® has been the best selling playing card brand in the world for 125 years. Founded in 1867, the company manufactures markets and distributes playing cards, children's card games, collectible tins, puzzles and card accessories and is part of the Branded Consumables segment of Jarden Corporation (JAH). BEE®, BICYCLE®, AVIATOR®, HOYLE®, KEM® and CONGRESS® are registered trademarks of The United States Playing Card Company. For more information, visit www.Bicyclecards.com.