Business Services Industry
PF.Magic's Computer Petz Line Leaps Past the 500,000-Unit Mark; Creative Character Company Establishes Itself as the "Top Dog" in Computer Pet Software Market With Sales Milestone
Business Wire, Feb 4, 1997
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 4, 1997--PF.Magic today announced its Computer Petz line of interactive CD-ROMs has sold more than 500,000 copies worldwide, establishing the company as the leader in the emerging interactive computer pet market.
The hugely successful and recognizable Computer Petz brand, which consists of Dogz, Catz and the newly introduced Oddballz, has been a mainstay on the top ten lists at leading retailers like Electronics Boutique, Babbages and Egghead, as well as top ten lists worldwide. PF.Magic has reached this half-million mark only one year after the release of the first Computer Petz product, Dogz, and continues to have strong sales into 1997.
The success of the Computer Petz line can be attributed in part to the overwhelming popularity of the World Wide Web and the Computer Petz Web site that has hosted nearly 1.5 million visitors. Early on, PF.Magic recognized the potential of the Web as a marketing and distribution tool and successfully created a web site and adoption program that made e-commerce a viable part of the overall sales of the Computer Petz line. By enabling online consumers to sample, download and purchase these interactive characters from its Web site, PF.Magic has a leg up on the competition in terms of promotion and distribution. While Dogz, Catz and Oddballz are best sellers in traditional retail outlets, the company's Web site has given consumers an online alternative to preview and "adopt" these creatures without leaving their homes or offices. In addition, PF.Magic has created a community that encourages users to proudly display their Computer Petz and interact with other owners. To date, PF.Magic's Web site and the direct sales make up more than 25% of overall sales.
PF.Magic increased Computer Petz exposure even further by forging co-marketing agreements with America Online and Intuit, two leading consumer software companies, to bring Dogz, Catz, and Oddballz samples to the mass market. In addition, PF.Magic has created the online collectables program where corporate partners feature new, collectable Oddballz characters on their Web sites. This savvy marketing strategy has helped nurture the community of Computer Petz "owners" and established PF.Magic as the creator of the only online collectable program.
"Selling a half-million copies of the Computer Petz line in such a short period of time wonderfully exceeds our original expectations," said John Scull, PF.Magic's Managing Director. "These sales numbers tell us that we have created evergreen products that bring a new, fun interactive experience to computer enthusiasts and pet lovers alike."
Computer Petz are interactive creatures that "live" on computer desktops and offer all the benefits of pet ownership without the hassles of cleaning up and daily feedings. These Petz are driven by artificial intelligence, which serves as their virtual brain. Dogz and Catz mature over time and develop personalities based on attention, training and interaction from their owners. Oddballz are wacky pets that spontaneously mutate into unique, one-of-a-kind characters.
PF.Magic, from its toy and game-filled offices in San Francisco's "Multimedia Gulch," is known for its interactive living characters, and innovative entertainment products. Since its start in 1991, the Company has developed several award-winning, cutting-edge products. These include Ballz, the first truly 3-D fighting game on the Sega Genesis, SNES and 3DO; and Max Magic, the world's first electronic magic kit, hosted by an intelligent 3-D character. In the Fall of 1995, PF.Magic introduced the top selling Dogz, the first product in the worldwide best selling Computer Petz line and in the Summer of 1996, introduced Catz. In the Fall of 1996, PF.Magic extended their line once again with Oddballz. PF.Magic is privately held.
CONTACT: Connors Communications
Staci Strauss, 212/807-7500
Rachel Hassard, 415/217-7500
or
PF.Magic
Brooke Boynton, 415/495-0400
brooke_boynton@mail.pfmagic.com
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