THQ signs deal with Sky to sponsor Stargate

Games publisher THQ has signed a multimillion pound deal with BSkyB to sponsor Sky1’s new series Stargate Universe.

The deal will run for eight months to June 2010 and covers Stargate Universe – the latest spin-off from the Stargate franchise – plus repeats of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis episodes on Sky1.

There will be a heavy on-air promotional campaign to support the sponsorship, which THQ says is a perfect brand platform for its raft of forthcoming game launches, including Darksiders, Metro 2033 and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II Chaos Rising.

The games publisher also sponsors BSkyB shows WWE, Discovery Animal Planet and The Biggest Loser.

THQ marketing director Jon Rooke says: “Broadcast sponsorship has long been a core component of THQ’s media mix, and the addition of a flagship science fiction show such as Stargate Universe further bolsters our ability to engage and interact with an avid and hugely receptive audience.”

The deal was brokered by Badge Media managing director Mark Gibson and Sky Media’s Stephen Ladlow, while design agency Hatch is responsible for the broadcast sponsorship creative.