MILFORD, CONN., May 2002 � Crikey, mate, join Subway Restaurants for a bold, rip-snorter of an Aussie Outback adventure in cooperation with MGM's "Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course," coming to movie theaters this summer. Subway Restaurants will feature five cool toy premiums starting July 8 that characterize the exploits of Steve and Terri Irwin in the wild. The popular "The Crocodile Hunter" series airs on Discovery Channel's Animal Planet and stars Steve and Terri Irwin.
"We are delighted to be working with MGM and its film release of 'Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course,' set to release in theaters nationwide July 12th," says Tricia Kingston, manager of strategic planning, SFAFT (Subway Franchisee Advertising Fund Trust). "We've developed some very entertaining toys that tie into the exciting adventures of Steve and Terri Irwin and the 'Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course' movie."
Steve and Terri share their amazing and sometimes outrageous animal adventures in not only the "Crocodile Hunter" series, but also as hosts of two spin-offs, the "Croc Files" and "Crocodile Hunter Diaries." Steve Irwin is the director of the Australia Zoo in Queensland, Australia, and has earned the reputation as a fearless protector of things wild and dangerous. By the age of nine, Steve was jumping in and catching crocodiles in the rivers of North Queensland! And Terri is right beside the crocodile hunter corralling crocodiles and snaring snakes.
The Kids' Pak® meal consists of a deli-style sandwich, small drink and a cookie. One of the following toys will be available in each meal:
- Croc Binocs � Kids can look through these binoculars to see objects off in the distance � just like Steve Irwin uses in the Outback to look for crocodiles.
- Snake Snap Bracelet � Kids can amaze their friends as they demonstrate how this snake bracelet automatically forms around their wrist with a snap!
- Croc Rescuer � Wind up this toy and watch as Steve spins in circles and wrestles the fierce crocodile.
- Sneaky Spider � Wind the knob and watch this sneaky spider move from side to side. Watch out!
- Baby Croc � This cute crocodile is specially designed for children 18 months and older.
The promotion will be supported with newspaper ads, and in-store POP materials and merchandising publicizing the toy premiums. An online promotion will be a part of the support also. The promotion runs until August 18 in the United States and Canada, and then from August 19 to September 29 in Australia and New Zealand.
In the movie, world-famous Aussie adventurer Steve Irwin � the Crocodile Hunter � has avoided the death roll and nabbed another feisty croc, hoping to save it from poachers. What Steve doesn't know is that the crocodile is the innocent party involved with a missing top secret U.S. satellite beacon, and the poachers are actually American special agents sent to retrieve it. Crikey! In the Outback and through the bush, the Crocodile Hunter is out to save the gorgeous croc and relocate him. It won't be easy, but if he can handle bird-eating spiders and venomous snakes without getting bitten, secret agents shouldn't be too much of a problem. It's a little beauty!
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. subsidiary, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of entertainment product, including motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music, and licensed merchandise. The company owns the largest modern film library in the world, consisting of approximately 4,000 titles. Its operating units include MGM Pictures, United Artists, MGM Television Entertainment, MGM Networks, MGM Distribution Co., MGM Worldwide Television Distribution, MGM Home Entertainment, MGM On Stage, MGM Consumer Products, MGM Music, MGM Interactive, and MGM Online. In addition, MGM owns a 20% equity interest in four of Rainbow Media's successful national cable networks�the American Movie Classics (AMC), Bravo, The Independent Film Channel (IFC) and WE: Women's Entertainment, and internationally has ownership interests in television channels reaching more than 40 countries around the globe. For more information on MGM, visit MGM Online at http://www.mgm.com.
Subway Restaurants is the world's largest submarine sandwich franchise, with more than 16,400 locations in 73 countries (as of May 2002). The Subway chain recently surpassed McDonald's in the number of restaurants open in the United States. In Canada Subway Restaurants has had more restaurant locations than McDonald's for a number of years. Headquartered in Milford, Conn., the Subway chain was co-founded by Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck in 1965. That partnership marked the beginning of a remarkable journey -- one that made it possible for thousands of individuals to build and succeed in their own business. Subway Restaurants was named the number one franchise opportunity in all categories by Entrepreneur magazine in its Annual Franchise 500 ranking in January 2002�for the record-breaking 10th time in 14 years! Additionally, the chain won the 2001 MenuMasters Award for Best Menu/Line Extension from Nation's Restaurant News for its Subway Selects gourmet sandwiches.
For more information about Subway Restaurants see its Web site at www.subway.com.
Subwayreg; and Kids' Pakreg; are registered trademarks of Doctor's Associates Inc. (DAI).
