NEWS - Friday, August 2, 2002
Burnquist signs with Activision
Activision, Inc. announced today that the company has signed world-renowned skateboarder Bob Burnquist to an exclusive multi-year video game licensing and sponsorship agreement. Burnquist will continue to appear alongside Tony Hawk in Activision O2’s flagship action sports franchise, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, which was the single largest independent U.S. video game franchise during calendar 2001, according to NPD. Additionally, as an Activision-sponsored athlete, Burnquist’s helmet and skateboard deck will feature Activision O2 logos beginning at the 2002 Summer Gravity Games on NBC. Considered by many to be one of the most innovative skaters today, Burnquist has participated in the sport since 1987 and began his professional career in 1989 in Brazil. Since then, he was ranked the #1 vert ramp skater in the world at the end of the 2000 season, has earned multiple X Games and Gravity Games gold medals, and has won top industry awards such as the 2002 Transworld Rider’s Poll which included the WCS Award for the Highest Points in Vert as well as the Rider’s Choice for Best Vert Skater. Burnquist has become such a leader in the sport because of his ability to perform any trick in both the regular and switch stance. "I am very excited to continue my relationship with Activision," said Bob Burnquist. "The success of the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series has helped to expand the popularity of skateboarding around the world. I’m a big fan of video games and it feels great to be a role model for kids today." "Bob is one of the most popular and respected athletes in action sports today," stated Will Kassoy, vice president, global brand management. "Throughout his career he has been an inspiration for thousands of up and coming skaters around the world. We are very pleased to extend our relationship in video games with Bob, and are excited to have Bob as an Activision O2 sponsored athlete." Activision’s award-winning studio, Neversoft Entertainment, is currently in development with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, the latest title in the series, which is slated for release this fall on all of the next-generation console platforms.Source: http://www.xboxaddict.com/
