PRESS RELEASE:
Wizard World, Inc., (WIZD) the preeminent producer of Wizard World Comic Cons across North America, is partnering with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) to auction off a custom-made and autographed Back to the Future™ 2-in-1 digital pinball and arcade machine, created by VPcabs. The machine will be donated by VPcabs and autographed by cast members Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson. VPcabs will be debuting the 2-in-1 digital pinball and arcade machine, along with its digital pinball machine (pictured above left), at Wizard World Chicago, August 18 – 21.
eBay for Charity will begin the auction for the custom-made and autographed 2-in-1 digital pinball and arcade machine on Saturday, August 20 with 100% of proceeds going to the MJFF. Both the Back to the Future digital pinball machine and the 2-in-1 digital pinball and arcade machine were developed by VPcabs via a licensing agreement with the NBCUniversal Brand Development Group.
“We are continuously grateful for every unique partnership that helps speed a cure for the estimated five million people worldwide who live with Parkinson’s disease,” says Debi Brooks, Co-Founder and Executive Vice Chairman, The Michael J. Fox Foundation. “By connecting Back to the Future fans to our community, we do more to speed research toward a cure and move closer to a future without Parkinson’s.”
The custom-made and autographed Back to the Future 2-in-1 digital pinball and arcade machine features:
- Original Back to the Future artwork, custom designed to make this machine one-of-a-kind
- Laser engraved plate autographed by the 3 cast members
- Limited edition 1 of 1
- LED buttons, Joystick and trackball
- Orange Electroluminescent molding
- Wizard World Logo on the front of the machine
“We are honored to partner with the Michael J. Fox Foundation and help raise money for such an incredible cause,” says John Maatta, Wizard World President & CEO. “We are also excited to share this unique experience with our fans in Chicago.”
The auction will begin at 11am PST on Saturday, August 20 at this link: http://www.ebay.com/rpp/bttf
Wizard World Chicago
Located at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, Back to the Future stars Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson will join previously announced guests including Sebastian Stan (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Carrie Fisher (Star Wars), David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson (The X-Files), Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead), the cast of Netflix’s “Marvel’s Daredevil” including Charlie Cox (Matt Murdock/Daredevil), Deborah Ann Woll (Karen Page), Elden Henson (Foggy Nelson), Jon Bernthal (Frank Castle/The Punisher), Elodie Yung (Elektra Natchios), and Rosario Dawson (Claire Temple), and more.
To purchase Admissions and VIP Admissions for the event, set for August 18-21, and to view the schedule, location, show hours, hotel & travel info, please visit: http://wizardworld.com/comiccon/chicago
About The Michael J. Fox Foundation
As the world’s largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson’s disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson’s patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers. In addition to funding more than $600 million in research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure. Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson’s research, the Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and government research funders, increases the flow of participants into Parkinson’s disease clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial Finder, promotes Parkinson’s awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach, and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world. https://www.michaeljfox.org/
About Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD)
Wizard World, Inc. produces comic, gaming and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, television, cosplay, comics, graphic novels, toys, video gaming, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place at each event, with celebrity Q&A’s, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Wizard World has also launched the Wizard World Store, CONtv, a digital media channel in partnership with leading independent content distributor Cinedigm™ (NASDAQ: CIDM), and ComicConBox™, a premium subscription-based monthly box service. Fans can interact with Wizard World on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and other social media services.
Wizard World 2016 schedule available at: www.wizardworld.com/wizcon.html.
About VPcabs
VPcabs offers the most advanced pinball machines on the market today. With VPcabs you can play hundreds of pinball and arcade games on one amazing machine! Featuring the amazing Pinball FX2 games from Zen Studios. We have a dedicated manufacturing facility in Cincinnati Ohio. Unlike any other machines on the market, we stand alone in quality of construction and have the best customer service in the industry. https://virtualpinball.com/
About eBay for Charity
eBay for Charity is a platform that enables members of the eBay community to donate to causes in the U.S. and abroad. Sellers can donate anywhere between 10-100 percent of the proceeds and buyers can add a donation to their purchase during checkout. To date, more than $650 million dollars have been raised on eBay for Charity. For more information, visit www.ebay.com/charity.
About the Back to the Future™ Franchise
From the Academy Award®-winning filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis, Back to the Future is the original, groundbreaking adventure that sparked one of the most successful trilogies ever! Starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, the phenomenally popular Back to the Future films literally changed the future of the adventure movie genre. Powered by innovative special effects, unforgettable songs and non-stop action, Back to the Future is an unrivaled adventure that stands the test of time. Back to the Future immerses you in all the breathtaking action, groundbreaking comedy and sheer movie-making magic of one of the most brilliantly inventive, wildly entertaining motion picture triumphs in Hollywood history! http://www.backtothefuture.com/
About NBCUniversal Brand Development
NBCUniversal Brand Development drives expansion of the company’s intellectual properties, franchises, characters and stories through innovative products, kids and family content, and experiences globally. Along with franchise brand management, NBCUniversal Brand Development includes three lines of business: NBCUniversal Consumer Products, Universal Kids & Family TV Productions, and NBCUniversal Games and Digital Products. NBCUniversal Brand Development is a business segment of Universal Filmed Entertainment, and part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA).