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MLB.com 'Beat the Streak(R) Presented by BURGER KING(R)' Launches Mobile Access and Ups the Ante in Its Quest to Crown Baseball's First Millionaire Fan

Posted on: Tuesday, 2 June 2009, 10:08 CDT

Grand prize could reach $1.5 million through progressive $10,000 increases; Free fantasy game buoyed by multi-platform integration on MLB.com and MLB Network

NEW YORK, June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- MLB.com "Beat the Streak(R) presented by BURGER KING(R)," a free fantasy game where fans try to surpass one of sports' most hallowed individual records, has launched additional features as fans continue to pursue the single largest grand prize in fantasy baseball history -- at least $1 million. The game, which currently has 153 players with active streaks of at least 20 consecutive games, also is supported by a landmark multi-platform integration through MLB.com and MLB Network.

As of June 1, the $1 million grand prize increases $10,000 every day that a fan does not record a sustained hitting streak that reaches 57 consecutive games. The grand prize will progressively grow until it is capped for the 2009 season at $1.5 million. Also, beginning today, fans can participate in "Beat the Streak(R) Presented by BURGER KING(R)" at wap.mlb.com across select mobile devices for the first time.

MLB.com Beat the Streak(R) Presented by BURGER KING(R)

The King is featured prominently across all three platforms in support of this year's "Beat the Streak(R) Presented by BURGER KING(R)," including a new weekly offering on MLB.com called "Kings at the Plate." Fans can use "Kings at the Plate" as a resource to help make their selections, as it contains daily listings of three players who have been tabbed as editors' choices based on relevant statistical data for that day's matchups. Players can also go to "The King's Leaderboard" to see how they're faring against the current and season leaders.

For the first time as well, fans are participating in "Beat the Streak(R) presented by BURGER KING(R)" via their account on Facebook.com, the social networking platform, as part of a partnership with Citizen Sports, the leading provider of fantasy sports on social networks. An extension of the game at MLB.com, fans communicate daily selections to all of their friends across the network and by linking the Facebook.com account to their personal account on MLB.com they can compete for the grand prize.

"Beat the Streak(R) presented by BURGER KING(R)" is also included twice per week on MLB Network's signature program, "MLB Tonight." The segment on MLB Network features current players' hitting streaks and some of the all-time greatest streaks.

"Extending the Beat the Streak experience with partners such as MLB Network, Citizen Sports and Burger King means this fun and easy way for fans to participate in fantasy baseball is reaching an unprecedented captive audience, so this is an important step," said Gregg Klayman, vice president, content development, MLB.com.

"We're always seeking integration opportunities that will resonate with our core demographic," said Tia Lang, director of interactive and media, Burger King Corp. "It's one way we bring the HAVE IT YOUR WAY(R) brand philosophy to life, so as baseball season heats up we're giving fans all the tools they need to beat baseball's most famed record."

Working on behalf of Burger King Corp. were its two media buying agencies, Mindshare for television and VML for digital.

How to Play

"Beat the Streak(R) presented by BURGER KING(R)" is a free fantasy game that gives contestants a chance to win at least $1 million if they can sustain a hitting streak of at least 57 games to surpass the legendary all-time mark of 56 games. Each day, contestants choose a Major League player they think will get a hit. If a selected player delivers a hit on that day, the streak continues and the contestant chooses either another player or the same player the following day. If a selected player ever goes hitless for that day, the streak ends.

Since it launched on MLB.com in April 2001, more than 1.8 million contestants have played the free fantasy game, and a select few have been able to come close to reaching the record streak. In 2007, Michael Karatzia of Sea Girt, N.J., established the current all-time mark with a 49-game streak using a variety of the top Major League hitters, including Vladimir Guerrero (9 times), Derek Jeter (8), Magglio Ordonez (5) and Jose Reyes (4).

In addition to competing for the grand prize, fans can create or join individual groups as a separate contest to seek bragging rights over friends, families, co-workers or whomever they choose to play against.

SOURCE MLB.com

Source: PR Newswire

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