National Hockey League related Press Releases

Quattro Wireless and THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE AMPLIFY STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS via MOBILE FAN ENGAGEMENT

Jason Ankeny — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:07:18 -0400

Quattro Wireless (www.quattrowireless.com), mobile's largest premium publisher ad network, unveiled new plans under its exclusive mobile advertising and publishing partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL) to delight and engage fans in the experience of the 2009 Stanley Cup^TM Playoffs via mobile devices.

Since the launch of NHL Mobile^TM, Quattro has leveraged its comprehensive ad network and technology platform to create an unprecedented mobile NHL destination for fans to complement the unrivaled digital experience built by the League at NHL.com.

The NHL Mobile site is designed to super-serve avid, on-the-go NHL fans with innovative and comprehensive features, including statistics, photos, standings, schedules, scores, NHL headlines and NHL GameCenter^TM Mobile, which delivers complete coverage of NHL games.

For the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Quattro has created new mobile features to engage the fan in preparation for the Playoffs starting April 15, including bilingual mobile websites, and "myNHL," a tool for fans to personalize their NHL experience.

"NHL fans are tech-savvy consumers that are at the leading edge of the convergence of information devices," said Larry Gelfand, Senior Vice President, Media Sales of the National Hockey League. "The NHL's partnership with Quattro on NHL Mobile is a natural next-step in delivering a best-in-class digital experience to our fans, regardless of if they are in an arena, watching on TV, logging in online, or accessing the NHL via wireless device."

"The NHL is a powerful sports leader with unprecedented fan dedication and Quattro is thrilled to partner with them to create a mobile experience that meets the demands of even the most avid fans," said Lars Albright, Senior Vice President of Business Development of Quattro Wireless. "By drawing upon our leading technology services and ad sales experience in the sports category, Quattro has developed a premier and fully ad-supported experience for NHL fans across the U.S. and Canada, enabling unbridled access to scores, news, stats, and league standings at any time and in any location."

The NHL joins Quattro's unrivaled Sports Channel and impressive premier publisher roster of the Quattro Mobile Ad Network, including leading sports and entertainment companies such as NFL.com, CBS Sportsline, TSN.com, CNET, Hachette, Fox Interactive and Univision, among others. The NHL will exclusively leverage Quattro's Ad Sales and Ad Network to help build their mobile business via the mobile web and in concert with the NHL's text messaging partner, Telescope.

By using Quattro's technology, the NHL mobile sites are able to incorporate a dynamic feed process that allows the sites to update current game statistics, while handling the high volume of traffic that the NHL attracts. Users have access to all game scores and player statistics to meet the needs of any NHL fan. Bell Canada subscribers, in an exclusive arrangement with the NHL, also have exclusive access to audio and video components of the site.

Quattro's ad network has a significant foothold in the Canadian market with category-leading premier publishers like CTV, CBC, TSN, Sympatico and others.

About Quattro Wireless

Quattro Wireless, mobile's trusted ad network, leverages sophisticated technology and exclusive premier partnerships to create unrivaled reach, consumer engagement and efficiency for today's marketers and advertisers. Quattro is dedicated to delivering service excellence and turnkey solutions to optimize digital performance across all channels (mobile web, SMS, applications, video) and platforms (iPhone, Blackberry and Android). Fortune 500 brands and direct marketing leaders seek Quattro's global reach, dynamic targeting, advertising innovation and transparent practice. Category-leading publishers leverage Quattro's proprietary platform to realize the economic power of the mobile web. Quattro Wireless was founded in 2006 by proven mobile pioneers and is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more information, please visit www.quattrowireless.com.

Bell Mobility, the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players' Association partner to deliver an exclusive mo

Jason Ankeny — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:18:33 -0500

Bell Mobility, the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) and the National Hockey League (NHL) today announced a partnership to deliver the broadest range of mobile NHL hockey content and services in Canada exclusively to Bell Mobility clients.

Bell Mobility clients can now access live NHL games on NHL Audio, in-game and post-game video highlights, live NHL games through NHL Centre Ice Mobile, and text alerts directly on their compatible mobile phones and smartphones. The package also includes a wide variety of downloads of official NHL wallpapers and ringtones, as well as specialty Mobile Video Exclusives that include Frozen Moments, Fantasy Fan Blast, Fantasy Quick Tip and Prime Match-Up and other features including Game of the Week and more.

"Hockey just got better with an incredible package of NHL content now exclusively available on Bell smartphones and mobile phones. This partnership allows Bell to bring mobile Canadians action-packed NHL hockey entertainment in an exciting new way not available anywhere else on the mobile platform," said Adel Bazerghi, Senior Vice President of Products at Bell Mobility.

"We are pleased to partner with Bell Mobility to develop the NHL Mobile product, which will bring together and super-serve millions of Canadians that love NHL hockey," said Keith Wachtel, NHL Senior Vice President of Corporate Sales and Marketing. "The new digital content platforms of the NHL, delivered through Bell Mobility, demonstrate how the League is providing great value to partners by enabling them to reach and engage passionate, tech-savvy hockey fans across North America with compelling services."

"We are excited to partner with Bell Mobility to deliver millions of Canadian hockey fans the rich mobile experience of watching their favourite players on the NHL Mobile platform," said Kevin Lovitt, NHLPA Director of Corporate Sponsorships. "Bell Mobility's clients will have exclusive access to content which will further connect our members with hockey fans across Canada."

Subscribers can customize their mobile phone and follow their favourite teams and players wherever they are with the Unlimited NHL Bundle, right on their Bell mobile phone or smartphone:

<< - NHL(R) Video Highlights - Watch period, post-game and team highlights - NHL(R) Audio(TM) - Listen to all NHL games live - NHL(R) on Demand - Watch highlights from the game of the night, best moments of the week, player features, expert insights, and much more for all NHL teams - NHL(R) Centre Ice Mobile(TM) - Watch select games live (may not include games involving Canadian teams; blackouts and other restrictions apply) - NHL(R) Downloads - Get a wide variety of ringtones and wallpapers - NHL(R) Alerts - Receive unlimited official real-time text message alerts for any NHL team or player >>

Starting at $8 per month plus applicable data charges or included in many Bell bundles and smartphone plans, the services are available on select mobile phones and smartphones, including the BlackBerry Storm - the first BlackBerry to feature a touch screen. For more information on exclusive NHL Mobile content packages and Bell services, please visit bell.ca/NHLmobile.

About Bell

Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers with solutions to all their communications needs, including telephone services, wireless communications, high-speed Internet, digital television and voice over IP. Bell also offers integrated information and communications technology (ICT) services to businesses and governments, and is the Virtual Chief Information Officer (VCIO) to small and medium businesses (SMBs). Bell is proud to be a Premier National Partner and the exclusive Telecommunications Partner to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. For information on Bell's products and services, please visit www.bell.ca. For corporate information on BCE, please visit www.bce.ca.

About the NHLPA:

The National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA), established in 1967, is a labour organization whose members are the players in the National Hockey League (NHL). The NHLPA works on behalf of the players in varied disciplines such as labour relations, product licensing, marketing, international hockey and community relations, all in furtherance of its efforts to promote its members and the game of hockey. In 1999, the NHLPA launched the Goals & Dreams fund, a $16-million hockey program which is the largest grassroots hockey program in the world. The players' program has donated full sets of hockey equipment to more than 9,000 economically disadvantaged children in 17 countries and assisted with upgrades and the building of hundreds of arenas worldwide. For more information on the NHLPA, please visit nhlpa.com.

About the NHL

The National Hockey League, founded in 1917, is the second-oldest of the four major professional team sports leagues in North America. Today, the NHL consists of 30 Member Clubs, each reflecting the League's international makeup, with players from more than 20 countries represented on team rosters. According to a Simmons Market Research study, NHL fans are younger, more educated, more affluent, and access content through digital means more than any other sport. The NHL entertains more than 100 million fans each season in-arena and through its partners in national television (VERSUS, NBC, TSN, CBC, RDS, RIS, NASN, ASN and NHL Network) and radio (NHL Radio, Sirius XM Radio and XM Canada). Through the NHL Foundation, the League's charitable arm, the NHL raises money and awareness for Hockey Fights Cancer and NHL Youth Development, and supports the charitable efforts of NHL players. For more information on the NHL, log on to NHL.com.

NHL, the NHL Shield and Center Ice are registered trademarks and NHL Radio, NHL Audio, Unlimited, NHL, NHL Center Ice Mobile and Hockey Fights Cancer are trademarks of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams (C) NHL 2009. All Rights Reserved

<< /NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available on the CNW Photo Network and archived at http://photos.newswire.ca. Additional archived images are also available on the CNW Photo Archive website at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/ >>

To Rapidly Distribute Video Online and in Arenas, Speed Is Key As NHL Seeks To Quickly Broadcast Video Footage Across Platforms

Jim O'Neill — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:42:44 -0400

BURLINGTON, MA June 2, 2008 — Signiant®, Inc., the leading developer of digital media distribution management solutions for the telco, media and entertainment industries, today announced that the National Hockey League (NHL) has deployed its digital media distribution technology as part of a strategic plan to super-serve avid fans with video content.

Using the technology, the NHL will quickly and easily acquire behind-the-scenes content shot in the field, providing a unique video experience to fans via NHL Network Online, and deliver very timely game highlights to NHL arena Jumbotrons. As a result, the League can highly engage its avid fans with video content, as well as expose them to more events taking place League-wide.

The NHL boasts 53 million of the most passionate, technically sophisticated fans in North America, and the League is seeking to capitalize on two marketing opportunities: making NHL.COM the premier online destination to super-serve avid fans with video content from games and behind-the-scenes; and to generate increased interest in events taking place beyond a fan's local market.

With Signiant, the NHL can quickly ingest, manage and control the distribution of game footage and other promotional video to and from its 30 arenas in the U.S. and Canada, plus NHL Network Online, a landmark online video initiative launched in April. As a result, the League can keep fans immersed in the game as never before.

"Video is a central platform for engaging NHL fans, both online where we serve them content they cannot get anywhere else, and in arenas where we highlight all of the exciting plays happening in other markets," said Grant Nodine, VP of Technology at the NHL. "We are constantly innovating to super-serve our avid fans, and deploying Signiant solutions is an important part of that strategy."

Signiant allowed the NHL to leverage existing IP connectivity at all of the League's 30 arenas. As a result, Signiant's IP-based solution deployed more quickly and for less cost than some of the NHL's other options, including signal-based solutions.

Prior to implementing Signiant's digital media distribution management suite, the NHL's proprietary venue-based IP network was only used to transfer scoring data, and provide IP-based voice communications. With the ability to closely control media transfers, Signiant's solution allows the NHL to accelerate the movement of large video files over its network while managing and optimizing bandwidth usage to ensure that these vital, existing services remain uninterrupted.

"Today, rich media content producers and owners are struggling with an explosion of digital files that need to be moved to more places in a shorter period of time," said Tony Lapolito, vice president of marketing at Signiant. "The NHL is ahead of the curve in recognizing its need for an efficient solution to manage and distribute content. As a result, they'll be able to optimize revenues by tapping-into their fan's love of hockey and providing an increasingly multimedia experience."

About Signiant
Founded in 2000, Signiant (www.signiant.com) is the digital media supply chain company that telco, media and entertainment executives rely on to manage the movement of media to the right place at the right time. With its open software platform that unites best-in-class management, acceleration, automation and security technologies, Signiant ensures that some of the world's most recognized brands are able to deliver their digital assets and drive new revenue models. Signiant is headquartered in Burlington, MA with development facilities in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and offices in New York, Los Angeles and Manchester, UK. Read the Signiant blog at http://www.digitalmediagalaxy.com.

VERIZON WIRELESS CUSTOMERS CAN SCORE BIG WITH NHL MOBILE VIDEO ALERTS

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 10:37:09 -0500

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and NEW YORK, Nov. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- In an exclusive and a first for all professional sports leagues, Verizon Wireless, the leading wireless company with the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, and the National Hockey League (NHL) today announced the launch of NHL game video alerts, enabling hockey fans to receive video messages of game highlights on their mobile phones, moments after they happen on the ice.

Verizon Wireless customers who sign up for the game highlights video alerts package can stay on top of their favorite team's on-ice performance through 15-second mobile video alerts with accompanying audio that highlight key goals and remarkable plays. Mobile video alerts are sent after each period -- including overtime -- for every game, allowing fans to stay informed throughout the competition. Hockey fans will receive a maximum of four video alerts in one night.

Customers can purchase the NHL game highlights video alerts package for $2.99 per month/per team by going to www.verizonwireless.com/nhl and clicking on the Alerts tab. Verizon Wireless customers can also sign up via text message by sending the keyword representing the team of their choice (ex. DUCKS or SENATORS) to the short code 7825 (PUCK).

"The immediacy with which we receive information has grown significantly thanks in part to the introduction of mobile phones and the Internet," said Keith Ritter, President, NHL Interactive CyberEnterprises. "Teaming with Verizon Wireless to offer mobile video alerts fulfills a desire for immediate information by bringing the game to our fans through a device they are already using."

Ryan Hughes, vice president of digital media programming for Verizon, said, "The immediacy of mobile makes it a perfect partner for sporting events like NHL games -- our customers get to stay connected to the entertainment they love, but with the freedom and flexibility of mobility. Wireless is the driver that enables fans to keep connected to their favorite teams and players."

For more information on NHL mobile video alerts go to www.verizonwireless.com/nhl or www.nhl.com. For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or visit www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 63.7 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 68,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone . Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About the NHL

The National Hockey League, founded in 1917, is the second-oldest of the four major professional team sports leagues in North America. Today, the NHL consists of 30 Member Clubs, each reflecting the League's international makeup, with players from more than 20 countries represented on team rosters. According to a Simmons Market Research study, NHL fans are younger, more educated, more affluent, and access content through digital means more than any other sport. The NHL entertains more than 100 million fans each season in-arena and through its partners in national television (VERSUS, NBC, TSN, CBC, RDS, RIS, NASN, NHL Network and HDNet) and radio (Westwood One and XM Radio). Through the NHL Foundation, the League's charitable arm, the NHL raises money and awareness for Hockey Fights Cancer, Hockey's All-Star Kids and NHL Diversity, and supports the charitable efforts of all NHL players. For more information on the NHL, log on to NHL.com.

Verizon Wireless

CONTACT: Debra Lewis of Verizon Wireless, +1-917-848-0035,
Debra.Lewis@verizonwireless.com, or Kerry McGovern of NHL, +1-212-789-2172,
kmcgovern@nhl.com

Web site: http://www.verizonwireless.com/
http://www.nhl.com/
http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia/
http://www.verizonwireless.com/nhl/