LAS VEGAS, May 24, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Players Network (OTCBB:PNTV), the leading Television and New Media Digital Network dedicated to Las Vegas Entertainment and the Gaming Lifestyle, announced today it has acquired a minority stake in iCandy Inc., the owner of iCandy Burlesque, related brands, merchandise and licensing.
iCandy Productions Inc. was started by famed veteran Las Vegas show producer and chorographer Nannette Barbara, who has produced over 200 shows in her career. iCandy Burlesque is Nannette's newest creation that opened last month at Bally's Casino Resort in Atlantic City, part of Caesar's Entertainment. iCandy is a themed production show concept designed for lounges and showrooms, which capitalizes on the latest revitalized Burlesque style entertainment. Bally's pays iCandy to stage shows, currently 3 nights a week in a showroom off its main casino floor.
Players Network acquired its stake in iCandy in exchange for creating and syndicating the initial episodes of iCandy TV through its digital media partnerships. Players Network will also launch the iCandy merchandise store using its new ecommerce and video platform technology later this Summer. Players Network currently reaches millions of homes in the Atlantic City area through its Comcast VOD carriage agreement. Bally's has plans to heavily leverage iCandy TV in their marketing and promotions. Players Network is negotiating sponsorships for the show and iCandyTV. In addition, discussions are taking place for additional sponsored programming partnerships in Atlantic City.
"Our partnership with Bally's and iCandy is a good example of how we can leverage our digital media distribution platforms to create unique revenue, merchandising and promotional partnerships. Bally's will assist in promoting the content and the shows. We are also in discussions to bring in sponsors for this unique cross-platform marketing opportunity," states Peter Heumiller, President and COO Players Network.
"With our recent investment, we began seeking opportunities to partner and/or invest in synergistic programming and experiential events where our programming and promotional reach can help increase revenues. Today we announce iCandy as our first such deal. We look forward to helping Nannette grow her business and brand," states Mark Bradley CEO Players network
"With the iCandy Burlesque production, we have raised the bar for showroom and ultra-lounge style entertainment. In today's highly competitive live show production environment, Players Network set us apart and brings marketing and promotional value to my casino resort partners. They also are promoting my brand and the show to millions of homes in our direct marketing area that provides tremendous value. We are currently negotiating additional iCandy show deals in other resort areas. I am truly excited about our alliance with Players Network," states Nannette Barbara CEO of iCandy Inc.
To preview the iCandy show highlights please click on this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAAeoEi-Hms">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAAeoEi-Hms
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About Players Network
Players Network is a Television and Digital New Media Company that develops and owns new Channel Destinations. Players Network, Vegas on Demand, Sexy Sin City TV, which are focused on Las Vegas and Gaming Lifestyles are the lead channels. Players Network produced and distributes original content for its own VOD Channels on television in over 29,000,000 homes over Comcast, DirecTV, AT&T, Verizon and Dish Network and its own Broadband Network, Hulu, Blinkx, Google, YouTube and Yahoo Video, for DVD Home Video, mobile platforms, and through worldwide television syndication. Players Network has a program library of over 1600 titles. Players Network has a 12-year history of providing consumers with quality Gaming and Las Vegas Lifestyle content, as well as strategic partnership services in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and throughout the worldwide gaming industry. For more information go to www.playersnetwork.info
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About iCandy Inc.
iCandy, Inc. is a live-show production company that is owned and operated by Nannette Barbara. The company specializes in sexy, sassy, high energy entertainment that has more than 50 "ready to perform" shows for any casino, bar or entertainment venue. We have performed at venues around the U.S. and the world. For information go to www.icandyinc.org
Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act:
With the exception of the historical information contained in this Release, the matters described herein contain forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties that may individually or mutually impact the matters herein described, including but not limited to: the ability of the Company to increase revenues in the future due to the developing and unpredictable markets for its products, the ability to achieve a positive cash flow, the ability to obtain orders for or install its products, the ability to obtain new customers and the ability to continue to commercialize its products, which could cause actual results or revenues to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements.