Barnes & Noble signed lease agreement for 30,000-sq.-ft. superstore in Boston’s Prudential Center. Store is to open in June. Like chain’s other stores, new location will feature more than 25,000 CD, DVD and VHS titles, along with music listening stations and Red Dot electronic music kiosk catalog, company said.
Rent-a-Center (RAC) tentatively agreed to pay $12.2 million to 4,600 female employees as part of proposed settlement of sex discrimination suit filed year ago. Margaret Bunch had filed suit in Dec. 2000 in U.S. Dist. Court, Kansas City, alleging sex discrimination began shortly after Renter’s Choice purchased RAC from Thorn Americas in 1998. RC later changed name to RAC. Settlement covers female workers employed between April 19, 1998, and Oct. 1. Second suit on similar grounds, filed by Claudine Wilfold in Aug. 2000, still is pending in U.S. Dist. Court, St. Louis. Wilfold and 18 other plaintiffs are seeking $410 million in damages. RAC Pres. Mitchell Fadel said proposed settlement was in “best interests” of company “given the costs and uncertainty of litigation.” Gene Graham, attorney for Bunch and others, termed agreement “a fair and favorable resolution of claims that have been vigorously contested.” In addition to monetary settlement, RAC must: (1) Adopt policy against gender discrimination and provide employee training on subject. (2) Eliminate weight lifting requirements. (3) Modify internal procedures for reporting gender discrimination. (4) Add “more comprehensive” recordkeeping for employment applications and promotions.
Acclaim Entertainment is backing release of PS2 videogame Burnout with marketing campaign including dedicated Web site at www.acclaim.com, national print and TV ads, online contests. Game, developed by Criterion Games, is one of few titles Sony International will support this holiday season with co-marketing money in European markets, Glen Cove, N.Y.-based Acclaim said. Game is shipping now at $49.99.
Comdex management is giving news media special dispensation to carry bags into Las Vegas Convention Center, but all bags will be subject to search, organizers said Wed. in media advisory. Show has imposed strict “no-bags” policy for general attendees (CED Oct 31 p1), but reporters with authorized badge and photo ID will be permitted entry onto show floor through special media- only gate. Moreover, still cameras will be allowed into keynote presentations, but camera bags will be subject to search and will be checked outside auditorium. Spokesman said show’s security policy was being updated constantly.
Activision and Hollywood Records teamed with magazine Maxim for million-dollar, multimedia promotional campaign backing release of M rated (Mature) PC game Return to Castle Wolfenstein. Game, developed by id Software, is to ship Nov. 26 at $54.99. As part of campaign, more than one million promotional CD-ROMS are being bundled with Dec. issue of magazine. Disc features Behind Enemy Lines: The Making of Return to Castle Wolfenstein documentary, Girls of Castle Wolfenstein screensaver, music video and songs from Hollywood Records musical acts. Promotion includes Maxim Online and print ads and consumer sweepstakes offering “Ultimate PC Gaming System.” Grand prize winner of contest will win computer game system worth $2,199 and limited edition metal tin boxed copy of Wolfenstein game that will ship at $64.99. Fifteen other entrants will win prizes including copies of game. Radio ads are part of campaign.
Konami-Universal Interactive E-rated game Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex for PS2 started shipping at $49.99. Game was developed by U.K. studio Traveller’s Tales.
Logitech and Immersion announced expanded functionality for Logitech’s iFeel Mouse for productivity applications. With addition of Immersion TouchWare Business software, ability to feel mouse pulses has been expanded to Microsoft Excel, Windows XP and Word, Immersion and Logitech said. New iFeel Mouse bundled with TouchWare Business will ship in Dec. at $39.95. Companies said TouchWare Business was available free to current iFeel Mouse owners at www.immersion.com.