Harris Interactive's 'Roll Out at the Ritz' Invites Automotive Industry Experts to Explore the Future of 'Bling'

DETROIT and ROCHESTER, N.Y., May 8 -- Harris Interactive(R), a worldwide full-service market research and consulting firm, and News/Talk WJR 760AM today announce the third annual automotive conference dubbed "Roll Out at the Ritz." The event takes place Thursday, May 1, 20068, 2006 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton in Dearborn, Mich.

"Roll Out" takes an innovative look at aftermarket trends including vehicle customization, product development, overseas manufacturing and the latest in "bling" and how OEMs, aftermarket suppliers and the media can work together to harness the market's potential.

Our panels of journalists and industry experts will offer contemporary criticism and future projections of where the customizable vehicle trend is going, why manufacturers should pay attention to it and why niche marketing is so important.

Our panel discussions include "Targeting the Hip Hop Generation," "Top Aftermarket Trends," and "The Customization Craze and Where is the Trend Headed?"

In addition, Harris Interactive's brand, customer loyalty and marketing communications experts will provide attendees with new case studies on automotive retailing, customer satisfaction and advertising effectiveness.

"Dubs, chrome and spinners help consumers looking for the latest and greatest ways to personalize their stock vehicles," said Scott D. Upham, Senior Vice President of Harris Interactive's Automotive and Transportation Research Group. "These tuner vehicles attract attention on the streets, but are also garnering attention from manufacturers."

Featured panelists and speakers include: Myles Kovacs - President DUB Publishing Inc., Carl Sheffer - VP, OEM Relations, SEMA , Will Castro - The Speed Channel, Mark Chung - Director of Strategic Marketing, Yokohama Tire, Raymond Stiles - VP Global Lubricants Consumer and Market Insights, Shell Oil, Joe Gross - Manager, OEM Sales and Design, Kicker, Maria Rohrer, Chevrolet Advertising Manager, General Motors Chevrolet Division, Judy Ricker - Division President, Marketing Communications Research, Harris Interactive, Ron Hurd - VP, Senior Consultant, Consumer Loyalty Research, Harris Interactive, Carol Gstalder - Senior VP, Harris-Wirthlin Brand and Strategy Consulting and others.

Interested participants can register for Roll Out at the Ritz at: http://www.harrisinteractive.com/RollOutatTheRitz. The conference fee is $295 per person and includes breakfast and lunch.

About Harris Interactive(R)

Harris Interactive Inc. (http://www.harrisinteractive.com/), based in Rochester, New York, is the 13th largest and the fastest-growing market research firm in the world, most widely known for The Harris Poll(R) and for its pioneering leadership in the online market research industry. Long recognized by its clients for delivering insights that enable confident business decisions, the Company blends the science of innovative research with the art of strategic consulting to deliver knowledge that leads to measurable and enduring value.

Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe (http://www.harrisinteractive.com/europe) and Asia offices, its wholly- owned subsidiary Novatris in Paris, France (http://www.novatris.com/), and through an independent global network of affiliate market research companies. EOE M/F/D/V

To become a member of the Harris Poll Online(SM) and be invited to participate in future online surveys, go to http://www.harrispollonline.com/.

  Press Contacts:
  Jennifer Cummings
  Harris Interactive
  585-214-7720