MCLEAN, Va., Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- USA TODAY has partnered with Dwango Wireless (OTC Bulletin Board: DWGN) to launch TEXT & WIN, a premium short message service (SMS) sweepstakes program that allows readers to use their mobile phones to participate in daily newspaper polls to express their opinions as well as win weekly and grand prizes.

Through TEXT & WIN, USA TODAY readers can respond to various polling questions posed in the Life and Sports sections of the daily newspaper by sending a text message via their SMS enabled and activated mobile phones to the numerical short code 46872 or GOUSA. Each text message entry costs $0.50 and every entry is another chance to win. Standard text messaging rates through mobile carriers may apply in addition to the premium rate. Upon entry, participants also receive a reply message providing real time poll results.

Sweepstakes winners will be randomly selected from the weekly and overall pool of entrants. Prizes to be awarded weekly include 20' flat screen TVs, portable DVD players and DVD movie box sets. Grand prizes are two trips for two: a 'Champagne Wishes' trip to Hollywood and an 'Ultimate Sports Trip' to Hawaii. Daily poll questions and further information on prizes and how to enter will appear in USA TODAY Monday through Friday over two six-week periods beginning Sept. 19 in the Life section and Oct. 3 in the Sports section.

'TEXT & WIN is a fun and engaging way for millions of our readers to interact with the publication on an entirely new level,' said Jeff Webber, senior vice president and publisher of USATODAY.com. 'This mobile sweepstakes gives our readers the ability to utilize mobile technology to express their opinions about a variety of topics.' USATODAY.com manages mobile-technology efforts for the USA TODAY brand.

Dwango, a leading producer, publisher and promoter of mobile entertainment for top lifestyle brands, will create and manage USA TODAY's polling platform for TEXT & WIN, as well as the program's advertising, prizing and reporting components for the duration of the campaign. Additionally, this mobile sweepstakes program represents a new market opportunity for Dwango to create subsequent partnerships with other media companies.

'USA TODAY is the nation's leading daily newspaper, and this mobile sweepstakes program allows the publication to connect with its existing readers while also attracting younger readers in a way not previously possible,' said Rouben Haroutoonian, executive vice president of Dwango Wireless. 'USA TODAY has recognized the growing market of mobile communications among consumers and is the first major publication to tap into this engaging and interactive channel to extend the USA TODAY brand. By embracing text messaging, they are setting a standard for other daily newspapers to reinforce reader loyalty.'

Dwango(R) Wireless (OTC Bulletin Board: DWGN) offers a comprehensive approach for bringing lifestyle and affiliate brands to the wireless arena through customized entertainment content, ringtones, games and applications for mobile phones. A key player in the wireless industry, Dwango Wireless provides unique content for some of today's hottest lifestyle brands, including Napster, Playboy and Rolling Stone. Dwango North America corporate information can be found at http://www.dwango.com. Dwango(R) is a trademark of Dwango Co. Ltd., and used by Dwango Wireless pursuant to an exclusive license.

USA TODAY is the nation's top-selling newspaper. It is published via satellite at 36 locations in the USA and at four sites abroad. With a total average daily circulation of 2.3 million, USA TODAY is available worldwide. USA TODAY is published by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI). USA TODAY also publishes USA TODAY Sports Weekly, a magazine for pro baseball and football enthusiasts; and USATODAY.com, an award-winning news and information Web site that is updated 24 hours per day.

SOURCE USA TODAY