Walmart to operate 2010 FIFA World Cup Event Stores

Walmart announced on December 3, 2009 that it will collaborate with FIFA’s exclusive worldwide master licensee, Global Brands Group (GBG), to operate 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Official Event Stores in nearly all of its retail markets around the world. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                     Walmart Signs Deal to Operate Official Event Stores for 2010 FIFA World Cup South AfricaTM Retailer to offer exclusive 2010 FIFA World CupTM licensed merchandise at its stores around the world   BENTONVILLE, Ark., Dec. 3, 2009 - Walmart announced today that it will collaborate with FIFA's exclusive worldwide master licensee, Global Brands Group (GBG), to operate 2010 FIFA World CupTM Official Event Stores in nearly all of its retail markets around the world. Walmart will feature FIFA event branded shops inside select stores that will offer exclusive FIFA World CupTM official licensed products and host special events leading up to the games. "We want soccer fans around the world to participate in the world's most spectacular sporting event by giving them access to exclusive FIFA World Cup merchandise at a great price," said John Aden, senior vice president, Walmart International. ''This is a unique opportunity for us to leverage our global scale, bringing the 2010 FIFA World Cup South AfricaTM experience to Walmart stores for our local customers." The FIFA World CupTM will begin June 11, 2010 and finish July 11, 2010. More than 26 billion cumulative viewers watched the 64 matches of the 2006 FIFA World CupTM. Soccer is by far the biggest sport in Europe, South America, Africa and the majority of markets in Asia. Jérôme Valcke, FIFA Secretary General, said, "This is an important milestone in our goal to connect with fans around the world. Given Walmart's global leadership position in the retail industry, it is the ideal platform to showcase the world-class merchandise we have been developing specifically for the 2010 FIFA World CupTM." Mark Matheny, CEO and Co-Chairman of Global Brands Group, said, "We are delighted to work with Walmart for the 2010 FIFA World CupTM. In the 105 year history of the association, this is the first time that such a coordinated retail presence with one retailer has been achieved."  All 2010 FIFA World CupTM branded merchandise will be customized for the country where it will be sold. With everything from hats and bags, to soccer balls and T-shirts, fans who visit the shops will be able to support their team like never before. Walmart stores in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom and the United States are anticipated to participate. About FIFA For more than 100 years, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, founded on 21 May 1904 in Paris and better known as FIFA, has continued to provide the essential leadership role to the international football family. The eighth FIFA President, Joseph S. Blatter (Switzerland), guides the organization today with a commitment to the evolution of FIFA as a modern and dynamic association. For more information on FIFA and its competitions, especially on the 2010 FIFA World Cup South AfricaTM, visit the official website at <a href="http://www.fifa.com/">www.fifa.com</a> About Global Brands Group Global Brands Group is the world's leading independent, international brand management, retail and licensing company. Global Brands Group's passion for managing brands is tied to its desire to build sustainable equity and create new branding opportunities through geographic expansion, category extension and retail innovation. With corporate headquarters located in Singapore, Global Brands Group has a network of 14 offices in major cities around the world including London, Dubai, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Sydney, Buenos Aires and Johannesburg. <a href="http://www.globalbrandsgroup.com/">www.globalbrandsgroup.com</a> About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), or "Walmart," serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at more than 8,000 retail units under 53 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2009 sales of $401 billion, Walmart employs more than 2.1 million associates worldwide. A leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity, Walmart ranked first among retailers in Fortune Magazine's 2009 Most Admired Companies survey. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting <a href="file:///C:/Users/Kerstine/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Documents%20and%20Settings/rleggat/Local%20Settings/Documents%20and%20Settings/kwlundb/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/OLK10/www.walmartstores.com">www.walmartstores.com</a>. Online merchandise sales are available at <a href="file:///C:/Users/Kerstine/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Documents%20and%20Settings/rleggat/Local%20Settings/Documents%20and%20Settings/kwlundb/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/OLK10/www.walmart.com">www.walmart.com</a> and <a href="file:///C:/Users/Kerstine/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Documents%20and%20Settings/rleggat/Local%20Settings/Documents%20and%20Settings/kwlundb/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/OLK10/www.samsclub.com">www.samsclub.com</a>.   # # #   Ed. Note: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is the legal trade name of the corporation. The name "Walmart," expressed as one word and without punctuation, is a trademark of the company and is used analogously to describe the company and its stores. Use the trade name when it is necessary to identify the legal entity, such as when reporting financial results, litigation or corporate governance.         0

2009-12-07T05:33:12+00:00

Walmart and FIFA strike deal for 2010 World Cup

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walmart-to-operate-2010-fifa-world-cup-event-stores true

2009-12-03T00:00:00+00:00

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Walmart to operate 2010 FIFA World Cup Event Stores

2010-01-09T01:07:02+00:00

Pinnacle College launches first-of-its-kind accredited degree in video game audio. College Offering Prospective Students Exclusive Tuition Discount for Inaugural Program  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PINNACLE COLLEGE LAUNCHES FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND ACCREDITED DEGREE IN VIDEO GAME AUDIO College Offering Prospective Students Exclusive Tuition Discount for Inaugural Program #medium_image#/system/images/13/medium/PennacleCollegeLogo.jpg?1252555525 caption="Pinnacle College Video Game Press Release" #/end#ALHAMBRA, CA - September 10, 2009 - <a href="http://pinnaclecollege.edu/">Pinnacle College</a>, formerly Sound Master Recording Engineer School, is now offering an accredited Occupational Associate Degree in video game audio, the first-of-its-kind program in the nation. The premier vocational school for audio engineers since 1972, Pinnacle College added the highly anticipated Audio for Games and Interactive Media (<a href="http://www.pinnaclecollege.edu/GAIM/">GAIM</a>) program to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in the estimated $38 billion worldwide video game industry. The college is celebrating the launch of the program by offering the inaugural class a reduction in tuition fees. The program kicks off with an open house on Saturday, September 26 at the greater Los Angeles campus; classes begin on October 12. "Pinnacle College's recording engineer graduates have gone on to work with the world's hottest musical acts and studios. We applied the same rigor and focus to our new game audio program," said Sal Younis, president, Pinnacle College. "We are committed to offering students the most relevant, engaging, and comprehensive education that will prepare them for successful careers in the high demand, interactive entertainment industry." The intensive GAIM program offers a robust, hands-on curriculum designed to equip students for success in entry level positions with game companies around the world. Experienced game audio professionals earned an average salary of $78,000 in 2008, according to Game Developer magazine's recent <a href="http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=23264">survey</a>. "Similar to film and television, game audio is a vital aspect of the entertainment experience," said Eitan Teomi, director of the GAIM program, Pinnacle College. "Imaginary, non-linear, and freeing, game audio production is adaptive to the dynamic nature of the game. For the creative gamer, a career in game audio is a playground of possibility." <h2>GAIM Program</h2> #medium_image#/system/images/10/medium/NewsLogo.jpg?1252555507 caption="Pinnacle College Video Game Press Release" #/end#The GAIM program is designed for students who are creative, passionate about video games, and possess an interest in game audio production. During the 16-month, comprehensive program, students learn all aspects of creating and managing sound for interactive media, including music composition, sound design, dialog recording, audio asset management, and sound mixing. The school is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to offer financial aid to those students who qualify. Pinnacle College is located in Alhambra, Calif., just minutes outside of Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world. "Pinnacle College's game audio program reflects both the demands of the industry and the desires of leading games companies," said veteran video game composer Lennie Moore, who also acts as chairman of the Pinnacle College GAIM Advisory Board and a leading educator in game audio. "We developed an innovative curriculum, employing industry standard software and tools, and use only top-of-the-line equipment to keep pace with an ever-evolving and growing industry." Pinnacle College has assembled some of the top names in the video game industry to guide the new program. The Advisory Board is comprised of leading game industry professionals, including: <ul> <li> Alexander Brandon - Audio Director, Heatwave Interactive; Board of Directors, G.A.N.G. </li> <li> Ken Felton - Sound Design Manager, Sony Computer Entertainment America </li> <li> Paul Lipson - COO, Pyramind; President, G.A.N.G. </li> <li> Lennie Moore - Composer; Educator; Advisory Board Chairman </li> <li> Victor Rodriguez - Music Director, THQ </li> <li> Tommy Tallarico - Video Games Live; Founder, CEO and Chairman, G.A.N.G. </li> <li> Don Veca - Senior Audio Director, Electronic Arts </li> </ul> <h2>About Pinnacle College</h2> Pinnacle College, formerly Sound Master Recording Engineer School, is a premier vocational school offering accredited certification in Audio Recording and accredited Occupational Associate Degree in Audio for Games and Interactive Media. Established in 1972, Pinnacle College has two California campuses: one in greater Los Angeles offering both programs and one in Sacramento focused on audio recording. Pinnacle College is accredited through Accrediting Council for Continuing Education (ACCET), a nationally recognized accrediting agency. For more information, please visit: <a href="http://www.pinnaclecollege.edu/">www.pinnaclecollege.edu</a> or call 1.877.206.6206. 0

2009-09-10T03:51:52+00:00

Pinnacle College launches first-of-its-kind accredited degree in video game audio.

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harmony-cc-writes-press-release-for-pinnacle-college true

2009-09-10T00:00:00+00:00

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Pinnacle College launches first-of-its-kind video game degree

2010-01-09T01:08:17+00:00