NINTENDO TAKES GOLD AND SILVER FOR NEW POKEMON FAN CLUB
By Adnews Staff
Vancouver-based Nintendo of Canada Ltd. is preparing for the mid-October launch of its new Pokemon Gold & Silver video games for the Game Boy device by creating a Pokemon Gold & Silver Fan Club. Membership in the club is free with a $10 deposit on an advance purchase of Pokemon Gold & Silver games at participating retailers. Consumers will receive a free CD-ROM that connects them to the Pokemon.com Web site. Included on the CD-ROM are limited edition Pokemon screen savers and a PIN number for entry into a contest, the winner of which will get a $20,000 scholarship as well as $1,000 in Pokemon merchandise. Weekly and daily prizes will also be given away. The fan club will offer members weekly updates and character/TV show previews. A two-week television campaign, print ads in kids magazines and materials in-stores will support the advance purchasing program and fan club. In mid-September Nintendo will also launch a national Pokemon Gold & Silver tour that is scheduled to stop at eight cities in eight weeks. Advertising, created by Leo Burnett Co. of Toronto, will be supported with public and media relations from GCI Group, also of Toronto.