NEW YORK, Nov. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The video game industry has gained significant momentum over the past few decades. When games like Nintendo's Duck Hunt(R) and Mario Brothers(R) were first introduced to the small screen they captured the attention of young boys and occupied them through their teen years. Now, these boys have grown up yet haven't neglected their adolescent hobby. Men are now rushing home from work to spend the remainder of their evenings with a cold drink and a bag of chips to sit in front of the TV so that they can play video games. According to the Entertainment Software Association(TM) 62 percent of American men are also part of the game-playing population at an average age of 33.

According to the Yankee Group, an independent technology and consulting firm, $34 million was generated from in-game advertising revenue in 2004 and $562.6 million is forecasted by 2009. More and more Men's consumer brands are advertising in video games to reach their target market. In fact, NIVEA FOR MEN, the #1 men's skin care line in the mass market, has partnered with Philips Norelco Cool Skin Razor to integrate product placements into Ubisoft's video game, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent(TM). It is the highly anticipated fourth game in the best-selling Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell(R) franchise and is now available in stores.

"This new advertising medium is a unique way for us to gain very targeted brand exposure," says Joe Venezia, Director of Marketing for NIVEA FOR MEN. "Purchasing virtual advertisements is a very cost effective way to reach male consumers."

NIVEA FOR MEN products appear at different stages throughout the game and have been seamlessly integrated into the video game environments. In addition to product placements and billboards, NIVEA FOR MEN and Norelco wanted to get more deeply involved with the game play experience. When double agent Sam Fisher travels through the streets of New York City, a billboard advertisement leads players to a co-branded Web site that provides game tips, http://www.thegoodside.com/.

For more information on NIVEA FOR MEN visit http://www.niveausa.com/.

For more information on Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent(TM) visit http://www.splintercell.com/.

About Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent:

Veteran agent Sam Fisher is back. But he's never faced an enemy like this before. To stop a devastating terrorist attack, he must infiltrate a vicious terrorist group and destroy it from within. For the first time ever, experience the relentless tension and gut-wrenching dilemmas of life as a double agent. As you infiltrate a terrorist organization in its American headquarters, you must carefully weigh the consequences of your actions. Kill too many criminals and you'll blow your cover. Hesitate too long and millions will die. Do whatever it takes to complete your mission, but get out alive. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent(TM) is rated M for Mature 17+.

About Tom Clancy:

With more than 80 million books sold, Tom Clancy is arguably the world's most recognized author. His works include fiction such as The Hunt for Red October, Clear and Present Danger, The Sum of All Fears, Rainbow Six, Without Remorse and The Teeth of the Tiger. Clancy also writes nonfiction works about weapons and various military units. Four of his books have already been adapted into highly successful feature films.

About Ubisoft:

Ubisoft is a leading producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products worldwide and has grown considerably through its strong and diversified lineup of products and partnerships. Ubisoft has offices in 21 countries and sales in more than 50 countries around the globe. It is committed to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game titles to consumers. Ubisoft generated revenue of 547 million Euros for the 2005-2006 fiscal year. To learn more, please visit http://www.ubisoftgroup.com/.

(C) 2006 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Splinter Cell, Splinter Cell Double Agent, Sam Fisher, the Soldier Icon, Ubisoft, Ubi.com and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Duck Hunt and Mario Bros. are trademarks of Nintendo. (C) 2006 Nintendo.

CONTACT: Jennifer Keel, or Christine Sforzo, or Kristin Simons, all of
blue sky communications, +1-212-995-1777

Web site: http://www.ubisoftgroup.com/

Web site: http://www.splintercell.com/

Web site: http://www.thegoodside.com/

Web site: http://www.niveausa.com/