Comedy Central Announces Direct Response and E-Commerce Agreement with Global QVC Solutions
GLOBAL-QVC SOLUTIONS, an outsource e-commerce solution provider for television networks and cable channels, and COMEDY CENTRAL, the nation’s only all-comedy network, announced today an agreement to develop and operate a new direct response program and e-commerce store located on www.comedycentral.com.
Comedy Central is the country’s only all-comedy network with hits such as South Park, The Man Show, and The Daily Show. The new direct response initiative will feature products from these and other Comedy Central shows, in on-air spots designed to create an impulse to buy Comedy Central branded merchandise. Global-QVC Solutions will be responsible for merchandising, customer service, and fulfillment, while Comedy Central will work with its growing stable of licensees to develop new branded products and will produce and air the promotional spots featuring the products. In addition to the direct response initiative, Global-QVC Solutions will also design and develop a Comedy Central e-commerce shop featuring additional program-specific branded merchandise. The new e-commerce shop is expected to launch in the second quarter of 2002.
“We have developed an avid fan base by creating unique programming that cannot be found on any other network. Our goal is to develop merchandise with the same appeal,” said Holly Lim, Vice President Enterprises and Corporate Strategy, Comedy Central. “Global-QVC Solutions understands the strength of our brand and the range of products that make sense for Comedy Central’s audience.”
Damon Mintzer, President of Global-QVC Solutions, commented, “Comedy Central has a great mix of popular television programs, and we are excited to work with the network to transform this popularity into a direct response and e-commerce business.”
About Comedy Central
COMEDY CENTRAL, the only all-comedy network is currently available in over 78 million homes nationwide. COMEDY CENTRAL, a registered trademark of Comedy Partners, is a 50-50 joint venture of Time Warner Entertainment Company and Viacom. COMEDY CENTRAL’s Internet address is http://www.comedycentral.com.
About Global-QVC Solutions
Global-QVC Solutions is a contextual commerce outsource solution provider serving television networks and cable channels. Global-QVC Solutions works with networks and broadcasters to create unique and customized direct response campaigns and e-commerce Web sites. Global-QVC’s platform includes Web site design and development, merchandising, fulfillment, and customer service. Global-QVC Solutions is a division of Global Sports, Inc. (NASDAQ: GSPT).
About Global Sports
Global Sports is a leading outsource solution provider for e-commerce. The company develops and operates e-commerce businesses for retailers, media companies, television networks, cable channels, and professional sports organizations. The Global Sports’ platform includes Web site design and development, e-commerce technology, customer service, fulfillment, merchandising, content development and management, and online and database marketing.
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements made in this release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “will”, “would”, “should”, “guidance”, “potential”, “continue”, “project”, “forecast” and similar expressions typically are used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about the business of Global Sports and the industry and markets in which the company operates. Those statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. Factors which may affect Global Sports’ business, financial condition and operating results include the effects of changes in the economy, consumer spending, the stock market and the industries in which Global Sports operates, changes affecting the Internet, e-commerce and direct response marketing, the ability of the company to maintain relationships with strategic partners and suppliers, the ability of the company to timely and successfully develop, maintain and protect its technology and product and service offerings and execute operationally, the ability of the company to attract and retain qualified personnel and the ability of the company to successfully launch new businesses and integrate acquisitions of other businesses. More information about potential factors that could affect Global Sports can be found in its most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and other reports and statements filed by Global Sports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Global Sports expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update those forward-looking statements, except as otherwise specifically stated by Global Sports.
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Contact:
Global-QVC Solutions Contact:
Patricia Henderson
(610) 491-7013
hendersonp@qvcg.com
Comedy Central Contact:
Aileen Budow
(212) 767-3952
aileen.budow@comedycentral.com
