Nintendo of America is offering retailers a chance to participate in a creative merchandising contest for the Pokemon Trading Card Game.  Retailers can utilize any number of merchandising or promotion strategies in order to win prizes that include a $10,000 store makeover (1st Prize), $5,000 in Pokemon TCG advertising money (2nd Prize), 42' flat panel high definition TVs (3rd through 5th Prizes), the best Pokemon TCG retailer kit yet (minimum $500 value for the top ten entries) and 2 free t-shirts (all entries). 

Nintendo staged a similar retailer contest last year (see 'Nintendo Offers Retailer Merchandising Contest') and created quite a bit of interest among independent game retailers. 

Retailers who wish to participate in this year's contest must create a merchandising display (window and/or in-store) and/or promotion supporting the Pokemon TCG and then mail or email images and/or explanations of their entries to Nintendo by May 31, 2005.  Nintendo will review the entries and may send someone to see the finalist's displays in person.  Winners will be notified by July 9th, 2005.

Nintendo is putting forth this retailer merchandising contest in the context of a major push behind Ex Deoxys, the most recent expansion for the Pokemon TCG and retailers might want to think about building a giant Deoxys in their store. 

Nintendo is supporting its Ex Deoxys Pokemon Expansion with a national TV advertising campaign (from February 19th to March 25th), hobby retailer kits, an in-school promotion that should reach 500,000 elementary school students via NASA's Kid's News Network, and after-school programs with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the YMCA.