NBC's Jeep World of Adventure Sports Series Announces New Sponsors: Columbia Sportswear, Garmin International(R), Goodyear and America Online
* Sponsorship provides unique product integration opportunities * Relevant expression of brands integrated into show content * Sponsors able to leverage current action/adventure sports commitments
PORTLAND, Maine, May 17 -- The Jeep(R) World of Adventure Sports (JWOA) series announced that Columbia Sportswear Company, Garmin International(R), Goodyear and America Online (AOL) will join Jeep and NBC as sponsors of Jeep World of Adventure Sports, the new action-adventure sports series that debuted on NBC April 10. The program airs its next episode on May 22.
The TV series, produced by NBC and sports-marketing firm Aura360, covers adventure and action sports around the world. The sports coverage and production formula provide a natural utility for vehicles and lifestyle products, such as Columbia Sportswear's all-weather technical gear and Garmin's GPS technology, to be incorporated into the show.
"This project will not only provide great programming for consumers, but is taking product integration to a new level," said Jeff Bell, Vice President, Jeep. "As much as the Jeep brand is known for its six decades of sports utility vehicle leadership, it continues to be one of the most forward thinking brands. We are excited to be working with brands who understand the value of properties like Jeep World of Adventure Sports."
Columbia Sportswear, Garmin International and the Jeep brand have a presence across all integrated channels of the Jeep World of Adventure Sports property. The brands will appear in more than 24 pages of print advertising in adventure sports-related publications, including Sports Illustrated. They also will be featured on www.WorldofAdventureSports.com .
In addition, the brands will gain visibility through sweepstakes and promotions across all media channels including a nationally distributed Sports Illustrated cover wrap. Promotion prizes include a Garmin GPS handheld unit, Revo sunglasses and Columbia outerwear, as well as a Jeep vehicle as the grand prize.
As the exclusive outerwear sponsor of the series, Columbia Sportswear will outfit host Pat Parnell and other show talent plus the NBC Sports crew with all-weather technical gear from its 2004 Titanium Outerwear collection.
Garmin International, a leader in Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, is the exclusive electronic navigation provider for the series. Garmin products and GPS systems will be utilized and featured in various events and used by production crews operating in the field.
AOL and Goodyear are supporting advertisers with in-telecast benefits tied to event coverage. AOL will support the launch of the series by promoting AOL TopSpeed(TM) technology through branded speed and performance data featured in events covered in Jeep World of Adventure Sports. AOL TopSpeed technology is a built-in Web accelerator in AOL 9.0 Optimized that allows members to surf the Web up to five times faster than a standard dial-up connection and up to two times faster than a basic high-speed connection.
"Only in a Jeep(R)"
Freedom, adventure, mastery, authenticity and the capability to go anywhere are the hallmarks of the Jeep(R) brand worldwide. It is a reputation earned during more than six decades of SUV leadership. Jeep brand sales are up 17 percent year-over-year in 2004 (through April), with four new models being introduced this year. The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is now available in dealerships, while the all-new 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Liberty Renegade and Jeep Liberty Diesel launch later this year. Jeep Trail Rated(R) communicates the legendary Jeep capability that is designed into every Jeep 4x4. As the brand's lineup expands, Jeep branded vehicles will continue to be what they have always been -- the most capable.
About Aura360
Aura360 was founded in 2003. Part media company, part event marketing firm, Aura360 creates experiential properties that connect brands with their audiences in the new era of action-adventure sports. For more information please visit www.aura360.com .
