Mercury Offers Detroit'ers Chance For Overnight Stardom

DETROIT, Nov. 11, 2002; Forget about American Idol! Aspiring metro Detroit artists will have a shot at becoming instant, hometown heroes before family, friends and all of Motown, when Mercury launches its own local talent search on Thursday, November 14.

The five-county, Detroit-area talent search will give the next Stevie Wonder or Martha Reeves an opportunity to perform in the company's local "Crazy About A Mercury" commercials. The winner will record their version of the classic K.C. Douglas song, "Mercury Blues" -- made famous in the late '40s -- for the campaign.

The commercials will be part of the Metro Detroit Lincoln Mercury Dealers' Association's (LMDA) new ad campaign, which rolled out October 6 in the Detroit market. The current campaign, which also runs nationally, features the soulful voices of Aretha Franklin and other top artists, including Macy Gray and Dwight Yoakam.

"We couldn't think of a more unique way to showcase outstanding Mercury vehicles in the Detroit market than through local musical talent," said Harold C. Kuhn, vice chairman of LMDA and president of Park Motor Sales Company in Detroit. "This search will generate the kind of excitement and high energy reflective of the vehicles we offer today ... like the Marauder, Mountaineer, Sable and Grand Marquis."

Beginning Nov. 14, interested participants may apply by picking up an entry kit at local, participating Lincoln Mercury dealerships or obtaining it online by visiting www.MercuryTalentSearch.com . All entries must be received no later than December 7, 2002. In early December, selected entrants will be notified to compete in a live, semi-final competition. The competition will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 16 at Somerset Collection South in Troy.

From the semi-finals, 10 contestants will be chosen to vie for the winning spot at Motown's famed Studio A. The contest will culminate with the final winner recording their version of "Mercury Blues" to be featured in the special campaign commercials run throughout metro Detroit. The winner also will receive great prizes and perform their song live at the 2003 North American International Auto Show Charity Preview, January 10.

WXYZ-TV, Channel 7; Infinity radio stations 99.5 WYCD Detroit's Best Country; Smooth Jazz V98.7; and Oldies 104.3 WOMC, and Detroit's own Motown Historical Museum will team with Mercury and the Metro Detroit LMDA to promote the talent search. WXYZ-TV will assist with the promotion launch and top winner selection. The three radio stations will host the semi-final competition.

"Mercury is thrilled to be teaming with our dealers and local media partners to bring about what could potentially be the launch of a new career for our winner," said Randy Stewart, Lincoln Mercury Detroit Regional Manager. "The idea of holding this contest in the home of Motown is a natural."

Mercury, based in Irvine, Calif., will introduce four new vehicles over the next four years, including the Monterey, a high-end minivan; a compact SUV; and two sedans. Mercury markets a full line of vehicles, including Marauder, Mountaineer, Sable, Grand Marquis, Cougar and Villager.