Marketing Smackdown.

THQ Inc. and Jakks Pacific Inc. have launched a "WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008" global marketing campaign, aimed at highlighting the franchise's debut on three home video game platforms: Wii, Nintendo DS and the PlayStation 3.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The campaign is a multimillion-dollar effort to publicize the biggest launch in the video game franchise's nine-year history, and includes TV ads in eight different countries. There will be print, online and wireless ads, a worldwide gaming tournament and a launch event for the franchise at Toys 'R' Us in Times Square.

"WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008" is scheduled for simultaneous release on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Sony's PlayStation 2 and 3, PSP, Wii and Nintendo DS systems, plus wireless devices this month across Europe, Australia, New Zealand and several days later in North America.

Staff reporter Anne Riley-Katz can be reached at [e-mail] or at [phone], ext 225.