IGN ENTERTAINMENT EXPANDS VIDEO OPERATIONS, BRINGS ON WADE BECKETT AS CHIEF PROGRAMMING OFFICER

San Francisco, Ca - IGN Entertainment, a division of Ziff Davis, announced today the expansion of its video operations with the appointment of Wade Beckett as Chief Programming Officer and SVP of Video. Beckett will lead IGN’s cross-platform video initiatives from the company’s Los Angeles studio.

Beckett has worked in film, TV and digital for 15+ years and most recently served as Chief Programming Officer and Sr. Vice President of Production, at Fusion -- a Disney/ABC & Univision joint venture. Beckett supervised all aspects of programming, development and production at the network, including non-scripted series, documentaries, specials, and live events.

Before joining Fusion, Beckett served as the Executive Producer for ESPN's SportsNation. He spent over six years as a key executive at NBCUniversal's G4 network, the first dedicated TV channel about games and fan culture, helping lead the channel from a young startup network to a Top 10 Cable network for its target demographic.

“I’m excited to welcome Wade to oversee all aspects of IGN’s studio operations, including original content, branded video production, and partnerships,” said Peer Schneider, GM and Co-Founder of IGN Entertainment. "Advertisers are increasingly looking to go beyond pre-roll with custom programs while platforms and content distributors are seeking differentiated original programming that speaks to the fan culture audience. The combination of IGN’s 20-year brand credibility in gaming and entertainment coupled with Wade’s experience in delivering original programming will cement IGN’s position as a leader in video for games and geek culture across all screens.”

IGN Entertainment was founded in 1999, but the IGN brand goes back to 1996 when it first launched as an online gaming magazine, rapidly expanding into other verticals as well as video content production and distribution. Today, IGN programs games and entertainment content for 132 million monthly users across 12 platforms, including mobile devices, Apple TV, Roku, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. IGN’s expanded content network also includes a daily destination on Snapchat Discover as well as a YouTube network with more than 9 million subscribers.

“There’s never been a more interesting time for video than today and I can’t wait to get started with the IGN Entertainment team,” said Wade Beckett. “From high quality short form content on emerging platforms to longer, lean-back experiences across more traditional platforms, I’m super excited to help lead an awesome and experienced team with such a passionate audience.”

In addition to producing original content at its SF and LA studios, IGN’s Social Video Team creates custom editorial and partner video programming for 20 million followers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Prior to serving as Executive Producer at Comcast and NBCUniversal, Beckett held positions with ZDTV, Tech TV, DreamWorks, NBC's Peter Engel Productions, TV Guide Channel, and CinemaLine. Beckett earned his B.A in Cinema from San Francisco State University and is a member of the Producers Guild of America.

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About IGN Entertainment

IGN Entertainment is the leading Internet media company focused on the video game and entertainment enthusiast markets. IGN reaches more than 132 million monthly users and is followed by more than 9 million subscribers on YouTube and 20 million users on social platforms.

Established in 1996, IGN is operated by digital media company Ziff Davis, LLC, a subsidiary of j2 Global, Inc. IGN is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Sydney and London. IGN content is localized in 24 languages and 114 countries and hosted on websites and native applications on mobile, connected TV, and Xbox and PlayStation platforms. For more information, visit www.IGN.com and follow @IGN on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

STARZ OFFERS BLOODY GOOD TIME WITH FREE SAMPLING OF ORIGINAL SERIES “ASH VS EVIL DEAD” SECOND SEASON PREMIERE EPISODE

First Episode of “Ash vs Evil Dead” Available 

Prior to Season Two Premiere on IGN, Participating U.S. Cable, Satellite and Telco Affiliates, 

Participating OTT Partners, STARZ App, STARZ.com and More 

Season Two Premieres Sunday, October 2 at 8:00pm ET/PT

Beverly Hills, Calif. –September 27, 2016 – The goriest, gooiest, gnarliest, grooviest show on TV returns in all its Ash-kicking glory with free sampling of STARZ Original series “Ash vs Evil Dead” season two premiere episode beginning today exclusively on IGN’s Facebook page in advance of its STARZ premiere on October 2 at 8:00 pm ET/PT. A free multiplatform, nationwide sampling of the episode in its entirety will also be available online at Starz.com and through participating U.S. cable, satellite and Telco affiliates as well as participating OTT partners beginning Wednesday, September 28 at 12:01 AM ET through October 9. The episode will also be available to STARZ subscribers via the STARZ app and STARZ ON DEMAND.

The “Ash vs Evil Dead” sneak peek gives fans the chance to watch Episode 201, “Home,” exclusively on IGN’s Facebook page tonight at 7:00 pm PT followed by a live Q&A with Bruce Campbell (Ash Williams) and Lucy Lawless (Ruby). The episode will be available on IGN’s Facebook page through October 9.

New and returning fans can catch up on season one of the STARZ Original series “Ash vs Evil Dead” with a gory marathon on Saturday, October 1 beginning at 9 PM ET/PT on STARZ ENCORE  and again on Sunday, October 2 beginning at 2:50 pm ET/PT on STARZ. The second season premieres on Sunday, October 2 with a triple play beginning at 8:00 pm ET/PT on STARZ.

For $8.99 per month with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers, fans now have the opportunity to receive instant access to more than 3,200 selections available via the app each month, including STARZ hit series ranging from “Ash vs Evil Dead,” “Power,” “Outlander” and the upcoming “American Gods,” premiering in 2017; to Hollywood hits and popular movies including Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Inside Out, Pixels, Concussion, The Good Dinosaur, Ricki and the Flash, Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2, Cinderella, Tomorrowland, The Wedding Ringer and Ant-Man.

STARZ subscribers from participating cable, satellite and telco partners can also authenticate and view STARZ content in the app including every episode of every season of the best of STARZ’s original programming, as well as the biggest, most extensive movie library of all the premium subscription networks in the U.S.*

About “Ash vs Evil Dead”

Since Season One, Ash has been living it up in Jacksonville with his loyal sidekick Pablo and revenge-filled Kelly. Season Two kicks off with a double-deadite battle royale interrupting the party, Ash is forced to return back to his hometown of Elk Grove, Michigan…and as always, Evil follows him.

The cast is led by Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, “Burn Notice”) in the role of Ash Williams; Lucy Lawless (“Salem,” “Spartacus”) as Ruby, who now possesses the powerful Necronomicon; Ray Santiago (“Touch,” Meet the Fockers) as Pablo Simon Bolivar, Ash’s loyal sidekick dealing with the trauma he suffered in the cabin; and Dana DeLorenzo (A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas) as Kelly Maxwell, who, grief-stricken after the death of her parents, plots revenge against The Evil Dead. Lee Majors (The Six Million Dollar Man), Ted Raimi (“Xena: Warrior Princess,” Spider-Man) and Michelle Hurd (“Law & Order: SVU”) join the cast this year as Brock Williams, Ash’s father, Chet Kaminski, Ash’s childhood best friend, and Linda, Ash’s high school love, respectively.

Sam Raimi serves as Executive Producer with Rob Tapert (Evil Dead, “Spartacus,” Xena: Warrior Princess”), Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, “Burn Notice”) and Ivan Raimi (Drag Me To Hell, Spider-Man 3) along with Craig DiGregorio (“Workaholics,” “Chuck”) who serves as Executive Producer/Showrunner. Aaron Lam (“Spartacus”) and Moira Grant (“Spartacus”) serve as Producers.

“Ash vs Evil Dead” season one is now available on iTunes, Amazon and other digital retailers.

Follow “Ash vs Evil Dead” Online: 

Twitter: @AshvsEvilDead

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashvsevildead

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashvsevildead/

Join the conversation with: #AshvsEvilDead

For additional high-resolution images and other press materials please visit the Starz Media Room at http://starz.mediaroom.com.

About Starz

Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) is a leading integrated global media and entertainment company with operating units that provide premium subscription video programming on domestic U.S. pay television networks (Starz Networks) and global content distribution (Starz Distribution), www.starz.com.  The Starz Networks operating unit is home to the flagship STARZ® brand with 24.2 million subscribers in the United States as of June 30, 2016, with the STARZ ENCORESM network at 31.8 million subscribers. Through STARZ, the company provides high quality, entertaining premium subscription video programming with 17 premium pay TV channels and associated on-demand and online services. STARZ is sold through U.S. multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, telecommunications companies, and other online and digital platforms. Starz offers subscribers more than 5,000 distinct premium television episodes and feature films every year and up to 1,500 every month, including STARZ Original series, first-run movies and other popular movie and television programming. The Starz Distribution operating unit is home to the Anchor Bay Entertainment, Starz Digital, and Starz Worldwide Distribution divisions. In addition to STARZ Original series, Starz Distribution develops, produces and acquires movies, television and other entertainment content for worldwide home video, digital, and television licensing and sales.

About IGN Entertainment 

IGN Entertainment is the leading Internet media company focused on the video game and entertainment enthusiast markets. IGN caters to more than 68 million monthly users on its website and apps, is followed by 9 million subscribers on YouTube, more than 19 million social followers, reaching a total of 150 million users across web, video and social platforms. IGN also publishes daily content on Snapchat Discover.

Founded in 1996, IGN is operated by digital media company Ziff Davis, LLC, a subsidiary of j2 Global, Inc. IGN is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Sydney and London. IGN content is localized in 22 languages and 110 countries and hosted on websites and native applications on mobile, connected TV, and Xbox and PlayStation platforms. For more information, visit www.IGN.com and follow @IGN on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

*source: Starz internal analysis of distinct movie title data for the period 7/1/2015- 6/30/2016. 

# # #

Contacts:

Danielle Dusky                                 Michelle Portillo                          Kiersten Slader

Starz/”Ash vs Evil Dead”                 Starz                                            IGN Entertainment, Inc.

(424) 204-4101                                (720) 852-4063                            (415) 696-5516

danielle.dusky@starz.com              michelle.portillo@starz.com         kslader@ign.com

IGN ADDS VIRTUAL REALITY TO ITS MAIN ROSTER, LAUNCHES NEW DEDICATED CHANNEL, IGN VR

San Francisco, Ca – Leading video game and entertainment publisher IGN, a division of Ziff Davis, announced the launch of IGN VR, a new channel dedicated to covering virtual reality content. Focused on all the major VR platforms – including Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR and HTC Vive -- the channel will contain daily updates of VR news, trailers, reviews, and custom content for IGN’s 68 million monthly active core web users. The launch of IGN VR meets the growing interest in virtual reality, both as a content platform and as a cultural phenomenon. As more affordable mass-market platforms emerge, content creators and consumers alike are exploring what’s possible in virtual reality. IGN, with its long history of covering gaming and entertainment content, is ideally positioned to track the development of virtual reality and the transformation it brings to entertainment. IGN VR offers the latest information on the VR hardware platforms, the content and creators, and the changes the technology has on us as consumers.

“Virtual reality has the potential to be the most revolutionary consumer-facing technology since the smart phone,” said Steve Butts, Editor-in-Chief of IGN. “Far beyond its obvious applications in the world of games and entertainment, it has far reaching implications for the fields of education, healthcare, engineering, and social networking. I’m thrilled to have a dedicated place on IGN to tell all of those stories.”

To celebrate the launch, IGN is unveiling several new pieces of virtual reality content from game and film industry leaders. Visitors to the channel will be able to get a look at the official “Star Wars Battlefront X-Wing Mission” trailer from EA and DICE. VR specialist agency Visualise and vacation operating partner Thomas Cooke will show off top vacation destinations you can visit without ever leaving your living room. Fans will also be able to view IGN’s top influencers and personalities take on VR versions of Boogeyman and Paranormal Activity in IGN’s “How Scary is…” series.

Taco Bell and Sony Interactive Entertainment join with IGN as the launch partners for IGN VR. The partnership runs alongside Taco Bell’s PlayStation VR Big Box Giveaway. Gaming and entertainment fans who purchase a Taco Bell $5 Big Box during the promotion will have a chance to win a Sony PlayStation VR Headset every 15-minutes before it hits retailers.

“IGN has been a top-performing partner in previous Taco Bell executions, and we wanted to continue that momentum for our $5 Sony VR Box promotion,” said Juliet Corsinita, Vice President, Media and Brand Partnerships at Taco Bell Corp.  “As a respected gaming property, we know that IGN reaches an engaged, influential audience that shares a passion for gaming, innovation and Taco Bell.”

“We are thrilled to have both Taco Bell and Sony Interactive Entertainment as launch partners for the IGN VR channel. Both Taco Bell and Sony Interactive Entertainment have been longstanding partners to IGN and this is a tremendous opportunity to bring this innovative content to our audience,” said Yael Prough, SVP, Sales and Integrated Marketing at IGN.

The channel can be found at http://www.IGN.com/VR.

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About IGN

IGN Entertainment is the leading Internet media company focused on the video game and entertainment enthusiast markets. IGN caters to more than 68 million monthly users on its website and apps, is followed by 9 million subscribers on YouTube, more than 19 million social followers, reaching a total of 150 million users across web, video and social platforms. IGN also publishes daily content on Snapchat Discover.

Founded in 1996, IGN is operated by digital media company Ziff Davis, LLC, a subsidiary of j2 Global, Inc. IGN is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Sydney and London. IGN content is localized in 22 languages and 110 countries and hosted on websites and native applications on mobile, connected TV, and Xbox and PlayStation platforms. For more information, visit www.IGN.com and follow @IGN on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

About Taco Bell Corporation

Taco Bell Corp., a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., is the nation's leading Mexican-inspired quick service restaurant. Taco Bell serves made to order and customizable tacos, burritos, and specialties such as the exclusive Doritos® Locos Tacos, gourmet-inspired Cantina Power® Menu, lower calorie Fresco options and is the first QSR restaurant to offer American Vegetarian Association (AVA)-certified menu items. Taco Bell Breakfast offers portable, classic items such as the A.M. Crunchwrap, Biscuit Taco and signature breakfast burritos. The company encourages customers to “Live Más,” both through its food and in ways such as its Feed The Beat® music program and its nonprofit organization, the Taco Bell® Foundation™. Taco Bell and its more than 350 franchise organizations have nearly 6,000 restaurants across the United States that proudly serve more than 40 million customers every week.

About Sony Interactive Entertainment

Recognized as a global leader in interactive and digital entertainment, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is responsible for the PlayStation® brand and family of products and services. PlayStation has delivered innovation to the market since the launch of the original PlayStation in Japan in 1994. The PlayStation family of products and services include PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR, PlayStation®Vita, PlayStation®3, PlayStation®Store, PlayStation®Plus, PlayStation™Video, PlayStation™Music, PlayStation™Now, PlayStation™Vue, PlayStation®Original and acclaimed PlayStation software titles from SIE Worldwide Studios. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, SIE is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation and has global functions and regional headquarters in California, London and Tokyo.

Nerd Block & IGN Entertainment Team Up For Limited Edition Block!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NERD BLOCK AND IGN ENTERTAINMENT TEAM UP TO DELIVER LIMITED EDITION IGN FAN BOXES FEATURING EXCLUSIVE COLLECTIBLES, APPAREL, AND AUTOGRAPHED MEMORABILIA 

Toronto, ON (June 24, 2016) - Leading subscription box company Nerd Block, together with IGN Entertainment, a leading Internet media company focused on the video game markets, today announced the launch of Limited Edition IGN Block. This special one-time offer block will be packed with a multitude of exclusive collectibles, an IGN personality autograph photo and an exclusive T-shirt. The customized IGN box will give fans, whether attending the San Diego-based convention or not, the chance to get their hands on exclusive merchandise reflective of IGN Entertainment.

“IGN and Nerd Block both thrive on bringing exceptional experiences and value to fans around the world,” says Russ Montague, CEO of Nerd Block. “Since Nerd Block was founded on the idea of bringing the fun of nerd-dom to fans directly, it makes perfect sense for us to partner with them. IGN stands for quality. This exciting partnership marks the beginning of a great many things to come.”

”IGN is pleased to partner up with Nerd Block and present our first Limited Edition box just in time for San Diego Comic-Con. We constantly receive fan requests for IGN branded apparel, and this box is the perfect way to get exclusive merchandise in the hands of our community,” said Peer Schneider, General Manager and Co-Founder of IGN.  “We love the quality Nerd Block provides to its subscribers and couldn’t have wished for a better debut partner for our first box.”

Fans interested in picking up the highly-anticipated, Limited Edition IGN box are encouraged to visit nerdblock.com/ign to find out more, and sign up to be the first people notified once orders open.

The IGN box will be shipping in time to arrive at homes before SDCC, which takes place July 21 - 24th at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California.

About Nerd Block

Nerd Block is the world’s first premium subscription box dedicated specifically to nerds. Sending subscribers an exclusive ShirtPunch T-shirt, plus 4-6 toys and collectibles every month, Nerd Block has amassed an incredible subscriber base worldwide. Nerd Block features seven different genre-focused Blocks from which to subscribe, including Nerd Block Classic, Nerd Block Junior Boys, Nerd Block Junior Girls, Horror Block, Arcade Block, Comic Block, and Sci-Fi Block. Nerd Block has quickly emerged as a prominent player in the global toy industry. For more information, www.nerdblock.com and follow @nerdblock on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube. About IGN

IGN Entertainment is the leading Internet media company focused on the video game and entertainment enthusiast markets. IGN caters to more than 68 million monthly users on its website and apps, and is followed by almost 9 million subscribers on YouTube and 16 million fans on social networks. IGN also publishes daily content on Snapchat Discover.

Founded in 1996, IGN is operated by digital media company Ziff Davis, LLC, a subsidiary of j2 Global, Inc. IGN is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Sydney and London. IGN content is localized in 21 languages and 110 countries and hosted on websites and native applications on mobile, connected TV, and Xbox and PlayStation platforms. For more information, visit www.IGN.com and follow @ign on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.