TORONTO – May 7, 2008 – Pizza Pizza and Rogers Digital Network Solutions (Rogers DNS) today announced the launch of Pizza Pizza-TV. This narrowcast network, the first medium of its kind to offer audio and video, is now available in 204 dine-in Pizza Pizza restaurants across southern Ontario.
Pizza Pizza-TV is the latest in a long history of industry innovation at Pizza Pizza. As the #1 pizza retailer in slices sold, Pizza Pizza-TV will give the thousands of customers who visit restaurants on a daily basis interesting content to watch while their meal is prepared especially for them. It also represents the first narrowcast network for the newly created Rogers DNS.
“The majority of our chain recently added larger dining areas and expanded seating to create a more enjoyable family dining experience for our customers,” said Pat Finelli, Chief Marketing Officer for Pizza Pizza. “The high quality, family-friendly entertainment and timely information of Pizza Pizza-TV will further enhance that experience.”
Pizza Pizza-TV’s content package adds to the home-style ambiance in Pizza Pizza’s dine-in restaurants. The diverse viewing features a variety of sports highlights, including those from Leafs’, Raptors’ and Marlies’ games, the latest news in the entertainment industry, music videos, and comedy clips. Participating Pizza Pizza restaurants will also have a permanent TV as part of the in-store menu board, with special promotions displayed in full motion.
With its family-friendly mix of fun and informative programming, Pizza Pizza-TV offers advertisers the opportunity to reach today’s highly mobile consumer. Pizza Pizza-TV is estimated to reach 27 percent of adults aged 18 to 49 in the Greater Toronto Area at least twice a month.
Rogers DNS offers a state-of-the-art solution to help its corporate partners better connect with today’s consumers. As a leading content provider, Rogers Media Inc. provides a digital media package that is unique in the marketplace. The inherent flexibility and real-time delivery of in-store media allows for localized information, specialized content and targeted advertising opportunities.
“In-store media is another vehicle for us to build audience, while deepening our relationships with our corporate partners,” said Jim Diederichs, Vice President of Operations for Rogers DNS. “In the expanding world of digital media, we are unique in the marketplace because we offer the complete solution of rich content, fully-supported technology infrastructure and an aggregated advertising audience.”
About Rogers Media Inc.
Rogers Media Inc., a division of Rogers Communications Inc., (TSX: RCI; NYSE: RCI), operates Rogers Broadcasting and Rogers Publishing. Rogers Broadcasting has 52 AM and FM radio stations across Canada. Television properties include 5 Citytv stations as well as the OMNI multicultural television stations. Rogers Sportsnet, Canada’s live event leader, offers viewers four channels and Sportsnet HD and the Shopping Channel is a televised and Internet shopping service. Rogers Publishing produces many well-known consumer magazines such as Maclean’s, Chatelaine, Flare, L’actualité and Canadian Business, and is the leading publisher of a number of industry, medical and financial publications. All media properties are integrated with their own popular web sites. Rogers Media also owns The Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club and Rogers Centre, a year-round sports and entertainment facility.
About Pizza Pizza
Pizza Pizza’s evolution as a major force in the pizza industry has been marked by such innovations as the first one-number system for telephone orders, with a unique jingle to go with it, and the first computerized order-taking system. Among its many menu innovations are the introduction of healthier lifestyle options that include whole-wheat, multi-grain dough and the elimination of industrially added trans fats from all menu items.
Pizza Pizza pays royalties on top-line system sales to Pizza Pizza Royalty Income Fund, which is a publicly traded company (PZA.UN), and has annual sales exceeding $400 million. Pizza Pizza expanded its Western Canada operations in 2007 with the purchase of 48 “Pizza 73” restaurants. In addition its Quebec locations, the company is continuing to extend its business operations through non-traditional sites and organic growth in communities throughout the country.
