U-Vend, Inc. Signs Multi-Year Licensing Agreement With National Hockey League
U-Vend, Inc. Signs Multi-Year Licensing Agreement With National Hockey League Click here for high-resolution version ·Marketwired
Marketwired
SANTA MONICA, CA--(Marketwired - Mar 16, 2015) - U-Vend, Inc. (OTCQB: UVND), a consumer products and technology company that develops, distributes, and markets next-generation self-serve electronic kiosks announced today a multi-year, North American licensing agreement with the National Hockey League. The agreement includes usage of NHL® team branded marks on U-Vend, Inc.'s 'Puck Premium Ice Cream™.'
This summer, fans across Canada will be able to purchase puck-shaped ice cream bars featuring NHL-branded hockey stick-shaped sticks from retail freezer merchandisers, located in convenience stores and large national retail grocery stores. Beginning in the summer of 2016, the 'Pucks Premium Ice Cream™' product will expand to the United States, and will be available to fans from vending machines and self-serve kiosk freezers in both countries.
"Our new partnership with the National Hockey League -- a global brand -- is a significant event for U-Vend. We are very excited to not only be named the Official Ice Cream of the NHL, but to also be joining an elite group in the NHL family," stated Raymond Meyers, CEO of U-Vend, Inc. "This partnership affords tremendous opportunities for us to amplify our brand. We are looking forward to a long and successful relationship with the NHL."
Unique to U-Vend, these ice cream pucks will be available in specialty self-serve vending machines and 'grab-and-go' kiosks, each with built-in digital product and advertising screens and featuring NHL branding. Both machines will carry the team-branded Pucks Premium ice cream exclusively.
"U-Vend is a great addition to the NHL's thriving roster of licensees, with exclusivity in a unique category for us," said Barry Monaghan, NHL VP, Retail Sales and Marketing. "Their NHL-branded product is perfect for the League's passionate hockey fans, who consume the game year-round."
"We believe we have created a strong and multi-faceted marketing engine with the introduction of the Pucks brand," said Paul Neelin, Founder of U-Vend and Chief Operating Officer. "Not only are we able to brand the outside wrapper of the Pucks ice cream bar, but we'll also print NHL team marks on the mini hockey stick that is inserted into the ice cream Puck, making it very collectable."
ABOUT U-VEND, INC. U-Vend, Inc. is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA, with additional locations in Stoney Creek, Ontario Canada, Chicago, IL., and Las Vegas, NV. U-Vend develops, distributes and markets various next-generation, self-serve electronic kiosks in a variety of retail locations in North America. The Company owns and operates kiosks and has partnered with numerous national consumer product companies such as Mini Melts USA, Del Monte and Arthur's Smoothies, to deliver new and unique customer retail experiences in an automated setting.
ABOUT THE NHL The National Hockey League (NHL®), founded in 1917, consists of 30 Member Clubs, each reflecting the League's international makeup with players from more than 20 countries represented on team rosters, vying for the most cherished and historic trophy in professional sports -- the Stanley Cup®. Every year the NHL entertains more than 250 million fans in-arena and through its partners on national television and radio; more than 10 million fans on its social platforms; and more than 300 million fans online at NHL.com. In Canada, the 2014-15 season marks the beginning of a landmark 12-year broadcast and multimedia agreement with Rogers Communications, which includes national rights to NHL games on all platforms in all languages. In the U.S., the NHL is in the fourth season of its 10-year agreement with NBC and NBCSN, the 10th consecutive season both networks have served as national television partners. The NHL is committed to giving back to the community with programs including: Hockey is for Everyone™, which supports nonprofit youth hockey organizations across North America; Hockey Fights Cancer™, raising money for local and national cancer organizations; NHL Green™, which is committed to pursuing sustainable business practices; and a partnership with the You Can Play Project, which is committed to supporting the LGBT community and fighting homophobia in sports. The NHL received three 2014 Sports Business Awards: "Sports League of the Year," "Sports Executive of the Year" recognizing Commissioner Gary Bettman, and "Sports Event of the Year" for the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic®. For more information, visit NHL.com.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain statements contained in this news release regarding matters that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Because such forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, uncertainties pertaining to market acceptance for the Company's products and services, its ability to succeed in increasing revenues in the near term to attain profitable operations and generate sufficient cash flow from operations, the effect of new competitors in its markets, its integration of acquired businesses, and other risk factors identified from time to time in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K which are available at the SEC's website www.sec.gov. Other factors not currently anticipated may also materially and adversely affect U-Vend's results of operations, financial position, and cash flows. There can be no assurance that future results will meet expectations. While the Company believes that the forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, the reader should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. In addition, these statements speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake, and expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
