HOT POCKETS(R) Brand Teams With Major League Gaming to Give More Gamers the Freedom to Enjoy the Competitive Gaming Lifestyle

DENVER and NEW YORK, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- NESTLE® HOT POCKETS® Brand and Major League Gaming (MLG), the professional video game league, have announced a multi-year partnership that will give gamers increased access to the MLG experience and bring the excitement of competitive gaming to an even wider audience. The joint HOT POCKETS® Brand and MLG efforts will offer gamers of every skill level a multitude of ways to showcase their gaming achievements and enjoy the competitive gaming lifestyle. The partnership will include multi-dimensional content, personality, and consumer promotion programs that will roll out throughout 2010. Details of the program are still being finalized.

"Freedom is at the heart of our product and is likewise the centerpiece of the Major League Gaming phenomenon. The no prep, no utensils, no mess benefits of the HOT POCKETS® sandwich make it the perfect gaming food and is the reason many of our consumers are gamers," said Mike Niethammer, marketing manager for HOT POCKETS®. "The focus of our partnership will be to expand opportunities for both gaming fans and pros to participate in Major League Gaming activities in challenging and exciting ways. We're looking forward to rolling these programs out over the next several months."

HOT POCKETS® Brand Major League Gaming sponsorship spans multiple distribution and activation touchpoints, including live competitions, pro players and teams, original content, online tournaments, and product integration.

"Our 3.5 million registered gamers are extraordinarily discerning about the products they embrace," said Matthew Bromberg, president and CEO of Major League Gaming. "Great partners like HOT POCKETS® that support the continued expansion of our league can count on unbelievable passion and advocacy from our community."

Visit the HOT POCKETS® Facebook fan page or MLGPro.com for more details about the Brand's Major League Gaming sponsorship.

About Nestle USA - Named one of "America's Most Admired Food Companies" in Fortune magazine for the twelfth consecutive year, Nestle USA, owner of HOT POCKETS® Brand sandwiches, makes delicious, convenient, and nutritious food and beverage products that enrich the very experience of life itself. That's what "Nestle. Good Food, Good Life" is all about. Nestle USA, with 2008 sales of $10 billion is part of Nestle S.A. in Vevey, Switzerland - the world's largest food company with a focus on Nutrition, Health & Wellness - with 2008 sales of $101 billion. For product news and information, visit Nestleusa.com or NestleNewsroom.com.

About Major League Gaming - Founded in 2002, Major League Gaming (MLG) is the dominant media property exclusively targeting the approximately 40 million consumers in North America who have a passion for playing video games as a competitive social activity. The company exclusively represents the best professional gamers and gives millions of aspiring gamers around the world an opportunity to compete, improve their skills, and socialize through our thriving online competitive community and live Pro Circuit competitions. For more information: www.mlgpro.com.

Major League Gaming and all related logos are trademarks of Major League Gaming. All other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

    Press Contacts:

    Amy Janzen
    Major League Gaming
    [email protected]
    917-209-6819

    Roz O'Hearn
    Nestle Prepared Foods Company
    [email protected]
    440-264-5170

SOURCE Major League Gaming