AACSA Makes Deal for Rollout of 500 DVD, Game Kiosks

SAUSALITO, Calif. -- The Asian American Convenience Store Association (AACSA) is partnering with Public Media Works Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, EntertainmentXpress Inc., on a placement agreement that will include the initial rollout of 500 DVD and game kiosks in member-owned, high-volume convenience stores, hotels, pharmacies and universities across the country.

AACSA has 90,000 primary and affiliate member businesses that collectively do more than $90 billion annually in purchasing alone. Along with its sister and affiliate associations, the organization has direct access to more than 300,000 businesses across the U.S. Some of the store brands under their umbrella include: 7-Eleven, Circle K, Stop n Go, Kwik Stop, Shell, Chevron, Texaco, Arco, ampm, CITGO, Clark, ">Exxon, Mobil, Sinclair, Diamond Oil and Valero.

"We had in-depth discussions with both Redbox and NCR Blockbuster. Hands down, EntertainmentXpress became our clear choice in almost every category," AACSA Executive Director Paul Rock said in a press release issued yesterday.

"Our initial test market launch will include 500 strategically placed kiosks, and we anticipate rolling out up to 20,000 additional locations over the next three years. Our exponential growth will be further multiplied by the assistance of our sister groups and affiliate organizations, such as the Asian American Store Owners Association (AASOA) who command a strong following in their own respective areas. This could not have come at a better time for the movie studios and our customers who will be looking for different ways to make it a movie night," he stated.

Rock also said AASCA brings additional synergies to the table through its unique relationship with the Paradigm Agency in Beverly Hills. Through [Paradigm's] relationships with Paramount, FOX, DreamWorks, Universal and several other studios, Rock said the association can help EntertainmentXpress obtain direct and exclusive content for their network of kiosks.

"And we have already begun the process of introducing Public Media Works to some of our financial connections and worldwide private investor contacts," Rock added. "We truly believe in this industry and our new partner, and that's why we became a shareholder of Public Media Works. That means we are business partners in the truest sense. And as we help them grow, we will have the opportunity to grow along with them. This will immediately become possible with the help of our largest implementation partner and company, SKYROCK."

EntertainmentXpress -- a division of Public Media Works -- provides consumers with a convenient way to buy or rent movies, games and other entertainment media through kiosks located in quick-serve food locations, grocery stores and other high-traffic, public venues. The company's business plan also includes an out-of-home advertising model with onboard 3D screens in the kiosks, which provide its retail partners with an opportunity to share in ad revenue as well as in the DVD rental and sales revenue, according to the news release.

"As part of our marketing and business development strategy, we focus on the power of developing formalized partnerships with affinity groups where both sides can realize major benefits. AACSA and its member owners represent a powerful collection of retail store brands that allow us to be represented in prime locations in major markets in strategic geographic locations," stated Bill Zabit, Public Media Works president. "And in turn, we share revenue with our retail partners for both DVD movie and game sales and rentals, as well as through our digital advertising network. AACSA is the ideal partner for us in so many complementary ways."