SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Glu Mobile Inc. (NASDAQ:GLUU), a leading global developer and publisher of free-to-play games for smartphone and tablet devices, today announced the company will partner with hip-hop superstar Nicki Minaj on the development of a new mobile game. The exclusive agreement covers Minaj’s name, likeness, voice, and creative direction to develop a one-of-a-kind digital experience for players. Glu expects to launch the game worldwide in the summer of 2016.
“I am thrilled to welcome the undisputed queen of hip-hop, Nicki Minaj, to Glu’s growing list of celebrity partners,” said Niccolo de Masi, Glu Chairman and CEO. “Nicki brings to Glu her audience of over 100 million* social followers and a new music category. We look forward to combining Nicki’s distinctive style and massive global appeal with Glu’s celebrity social gaming expertise.”
Following the release of her first studio album in 2010, Nicki Minaj became the first female solo performer to have seven singles on the Billboard Hot 100 list, simultaneously. Her achievements have been recognized industry-wide by accolades including four American Music Awards, eight BET Awards, four Billboard Music Awards, two MTV Music Video Awards, and many others. In addition to her success in music, Nicki Minaj has become the face of several cosmetics, electronics, and retail brands along with releasing her own fashion line and fragrance. Minaj previously spent time as a judge for the world-renowned television singing competition American Idol, was a featured performer at the 2012 Super Bowl, appeared in the feature film The Other Woman, and has a starring role in the upcoming MGM film Barbershop 3. In 2014, she released her third album, The Pinkprint, which was critically acclaimed by both fans and critics, spawning several chart topping singles.
Glu will provide additional details on the game’s development and Nicki Minaj’s involvement at a later date. With the addition of Nicki Minaj, Glu’s celebrity gaming platform is now supported by nearly 650 million** total social followers.
*Nicki Minaj’s social audience as of August 3, 2015: 42.3 million on Facebook, 20 million on Twitter, 30.4 million on Instagram, 9.1 million on Vevo, and 163.4 thousand on Vine. There is some fan overlap among these social channels.
**Based on the combined Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vevo, and Vine audiences of Katy Perry, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian West, Nicki Minaj, Britney Spears, and Statham as of August 3, 2015. There is some fan overlap among these social channels and celebrities.
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Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" related to the business of Glu Mobile Inc., including statements regarding the expected launch date, features and distribution breadth of the game Glu is developing with Nicki Minaj and that we look forward to combining Nicki’s distinctive style and massive global appeal with Glu’s celebrity social gaming expertise. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risk that we do not realize the expected benefits from our agreement with Nicki Minaj or that we are unable to capitalize on her social media following; the risk that consumer demand for smartphones, tablets and next-generation platforms does not grow as significantly as we anticipate or that we will be unable to capitalize on any such growth; the risk that we do not realize a sufficient return on our investment with respect to our efforts to develop free-to-play games for smartphones, tablets and next-generation platforms; and the risk of product delays. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are or will be described in greater detail in our public filings with the SEC. Glu is not under obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
About Glu Mobile
Glu Mobile (NASDAQ:GLUU) is a leading global developer and publisher of free-to-play games for smartphone and tablet devices. Glu is focused on creating compelling original IP games such as CONTRACT KILLER, COOKING DASH, DEER HUNTER, DINER DASH, DINO HUNTER: DEADLY SHORES, ETERNITY WARRIORS, FRONTLINE COMMANDO, RACING RIVALS, and TAP SPORTS BASEBALL, and branded IP games including KIM KARDASHIAN: HOLLYWOOD, ROBOCOP: THE OFFICIAL GAME, TERMINATOR GENYSIS: REVOLUTION, and MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION on the App Store, Google Play, Amazon Appstore, Facebook, Mac App Store, and Windows Phone. Glu’s unique technology platform enables its titles to be accessible to a broad audience of consumers globally. Founded in 2001, Glu is headquartered in San Francisco with major U.S. offices outside Seattle and in Long Beach, and international locations in Canada, China, India, Japan, Korea, and Russia. Consumers can find high-quality entertainment wherever they see the ‘g’ character logo or at www.glu.com. For live updates, please follow Glu via Twitter at www.twitter.com/glumobile or become a Glu fan at www.facebook.com/glumobile.
CONTRACT KILLER, COOKING DASH, DEER HUNTER, DINER DASH, DINO HUNTER: DEADLY SHORES, ETERNITY WARRIORS, FRONTLINE COMMANDO, RACING RIVALS, TAP SPORTS BASEBALL, GLU, GLU MOBILE and the 'g' character logo are trademarks of Glu Mobile Inc. or its subsidiaries.