Sports & Autos
Dodge Charger Flexes Its Modern Muscle in the Upcoming Comedy 'My Super Ex-Girlfriend'
* Dodge Brand Delivers Superior Performance in Upcoming Ivan Reitman-Directed Film * Stars Uma Thurman and Luke Wilson Joined by the Red-Hot 2006 Dodge Charger
Driving into theaters July 21, 2006, "My Super Ex-Girlfriend" features a 2006 Dodge Charger in the film's storyline.
The Dodge Charger appears alongside the film's Uma Thurman and Luke Wilson in a key movie sequence. The filmmakers selected the Charger for the scene because the vehicle matches the sensibility of Wilson's character, an architect who dates and then breaks up with a gorgeous superhero. A scorned woman, she unleashes on her ex the full fury of her super-powered wrath.
"Incorporating the Dodge Charger in this film was the perfect tie-in for our brand. Like Ivan Reitman who wanted to take a fresh look at the romantic/action film genre, Dodge wanted moviegoers to take a fresh look at the Dodge Charger, a modern American muscle car that offers a powerful choice in the passenger car market," said Tom Loveless, Director -- Dodge Marketing and Global Communications.
Television advertising has already begun for this film, complemented by efforts across all marketing platforms, including print, Internet, television and dealer promotions. The 2006 Dodge Charger also makes a significant appearance on the film's advertising poster, where its hood is being crushed by Uma Thurman. The movie poster and 9-foot standee will appear in 3,000 plus theaters across the country.
"With the Dodge Charger playing a prominent role in the film, we are allowing consumers to experience the vehicle by watching the movie," said Loveless. "We are seeking opportunities for our vehicles to be more than just products, but rather characters involved in the plot."
"My Super Ex-Girlfriend" is a New Regency/Pariah Production, directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Don Payne, and will be released by Twentieth Century Fox on July 21.
2006 Dodge Charger
The 2006 Dodge Charger is a fresh, contemporary execution of modern muscle with the convenience and interior capacity of a full-size passenger car. The car is equipped with a 250 horsepower V-6 engine, five-speed automatic transmission with Auto Stick and includes standard features such as Electronic Stability Program (ESP), all-speed traction control and four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS). The available 340 horsepower, 5.7-liter V-8 HEMI(R) engine delivers 0-60 mph time of about six seconds and is equipped with a Multi- displacement System (MDS) that transparently shuts down from eight to four cylinders as needed, improving fuel economy by as much as 20 percent without sacrificing vehicle performance.
Source: Chrysler Group
Lexus Reclaims Top Spot in J.D. Power and Associates' Customer Service Index Study
TORRANCE, Calif., July 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexus ranked first in J.D. Power and Associates' Customer Service Index (CSI) Study(SM), it was announced today. The study indicates that Lexus' approach to customer satisfaction has earned the luxury marque top-notch placement in this annual study of the auto industry's treatment and handling of customers.
Designed to objectively measure service usage and customer response to dealer service, CSI studies six key areas: initiating service, service advisory, in-dealership experience, service delivery, service quality, and user-friendly service. 2006 CSI results are based on responses from 79,580 owners and lessees of 2003 to 2005 model-year vehicles who evaluated their visits to dealerships during the first three years of ownership. Thirty-two attribute questions contribute to the overall CSI score for both Repair and Maintenance work.
"The Lexus goal is to deliver 100% customer satisfaction," said Bob Carter, Lexus group vice president and general manager. "This No. 1 ranking reflects on how Lexus' 220 dealers are completely devoted to our customers and work to foster-and constantly improve-that relationship. Our dealers continue to deliver the best possible customer service to our growing customer body."
Lexus achieved 912 out of a possible 1,000 points in the 2006 review, gaining eight points over last year's results to move from fourth into first place. The marque's repair customers reported the highest level of satisfaction in the industry, scoring 52 points higher than the industry average. Lexus also tied for the highest score among all nameplates for In-Dealership Experience, with an index score of 921-48 points higher than the industry average.
"As Lexus dealers continue to excel in sales, those ever-increasing sales figures do not dilute their dedication to maintaining the highest possible standards in customer satisfaction," Carter continued. "They, and our company as a whole, adhere to the Lexus Covenant, which states that we will treat each and every customer as a guest in our own home. It's this level of individual attention and consideration that has brought us to the top of the chart this year. Now we intend to widen the margin and exceed even our own already high standards."
This year's No. 1 CSI position marks the eleventh time Lexus has garnered the top honor since the brand was established in 1989. The commitment to providing superior product and an unparalleled ownership experience remains at the forefront of the Lexus business paradigm. Being the top-selling luxury brand in the U.S. for five consecutive years is a testimony to this newly global company's ongoing success.
Source: Lexus
Tom Brady to Launch the New Movado Series 800 Sport Watch Collection
Movado Group, Inc. (NYSE:MOV) today announced that Tom Brady, Super Bowl MVP, will join the prestigious roster of talent featured in Movado advertising. Brady launches Movado's new "art of performance" campaign, developed exclusively for the groundbreaking Movado Series 800 collection.
"Tom is one of the most prolific quarterbacks in the NFL and he signifies what this brand is all about -- timing, passion, innovation and a commitment to excellence. Everything he represents on and off the field is what Movado Series 800 stands for," said Efraim Grinberg, Movado Group President and Chief Executive Officer.
About Movado Series 800
Uniting strength, beauty, design and performance, this powerful new collection is a fierce competitor in the world of sport watches. Movado Series 800 watches incorporate Movado quality and craftsmanship with the characteristics of a true sport watch: a screw-down crown to ensure water resistance, a unidirectional timing bezel, luminous markers and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal for optimum dial legibility.
About Tom Brady
After joining the National Football League's New England Patriots in 2000, Brady quickly established himself as one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL today. He is the only quarterback in NFL history to start and win three Super Bowls before his 28th birthday, having led the Patriots to victories in Super Bowl XXXVI, XXXVII, and Super Bowl XXXIX.
About Movado Group
Movado Group, Inc. designs, manufactures, and distributes Movado, Ebel, Concord, ESQ, Coach, Tommy Hilfiger and HUGO BOSS watches worldwide, and operates Movado boutiques and company stores in the United States. The Company plans to launch Juicy Couture watches in the fall of 2006 and LACOSTE watches in the spring of 2007.
Source: Movado Group, Inc.
Wal-Mart FLW Tour Adds National Guard Open, Offers $9.5 Million Over Seven Events for 2007
Three $1.5 million open purses to pay $10,000 through 100th place
FLW Outdoors announced its 2007 Wal- Mart FLW Tour schedule June 20 in Plattsburgh, N.Y., and today released details at ICAST that include a $1.4 million boost to regular season paybacks for an overall cash purse of $9.5 million, including the $2 million Forrest Wood Cup championship, which offers top anglers from the FLW Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, TBF (The Bass Federation) and Ranger Owners' Tournaments a shot at an astonishing $1 million payday for the first time ever in the history of competitive angling.
Next season's schedule includes three $1 million qualifiers and three $1.5 million opens - the Wal-Mart Open, the Chevy Open and the new National Guard Open. Each $1.5 million open offers an incredible $10,000 cash award through 100th place in the Pro Division. Each $1 million qualifier offers $10,000 cash through 50th place and $3,850 cash through 75th place. Additionally, pros finishing 76th through 100th place will receive a $100 gas card from BP at each qualifier in 2007.
"Larger payouts awarded deeper in the field are the cornerstone of our sport," said FLW Outdoors President and CEO Charlie Evans. "FLW Outdoors is proud to have the backing of a sponsorship team that is without equal in any sport. Thanks to Wal-Mart and our other sponsor partners we are proud to continue our traditions of providing the highest awards and deepest paybacks in all of competitive fishing."
Ranger owners will also receive lucrative new bonuses in 2007, with pros fishing for an additional $50,000 in each open and $25,000 in each qualifier for top awards of $200,000 and $125,000, respectively. Co-anglers who are Ranger owners will fish for an additional $10,000 in each open and $5,000 in each qualifier for top awards of $35,000 and $25,000, respectively. Anglers must be original owners of 2004 or later model year Ranger boats to qualify for bonuses.
Another change in store for 2007 is a switch from Wednesday through Saturday tournaments to Thursday through Sunday events. The change to a Sunday finale in conjunction with the FLW Tour's previously announced move to larger public venues is designed to accommodate a rapidly growing fan base and ever- increasing sponsor involvement in the sport.
"We were confident that Wal-Mart parking lots would one day no longer be a large enough venue for the FLW Tour," said Wal-Mart Vice President and Divisional Merchandise Manager Bill Kerr. "The fact that we now have to move weigh-ins to larger capacity public venues increases the scope of the Family Fun Zone. In addition, we will still be able to leverage multiple store locations for promotions in every market the FLW Tour visits."
Wal-Mart FLW Tour competition kicks off Feb. 15-18 on Lake Travis in Austin, Texas, and then continues on Fort Loudoun Lake in Knoxville, Tenn., March 29-April 1. Lake Norman in Charlotte, N.C., will host the $1.5 million National Guard Open April 26-29 followed by the $1.5 million Wal-Mart Open on Beaver Lake in Rogers, Ark., May 17-20. The Potomac River in Washington, D.C., will host the fifth tour stop June 14-17, and the Detroit River in Detroit, Mich., will host the $1.5 million Chevy Open July 12-15. The $2 million Forrest Wood Cup presented by Castrol will be held on Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs, Ark., Aug. 1-5.
Entry fees for 2007 are $3,500 per qualifier and $4,000 per open for pros and $700 per qualifier and $800 per open for co-anglers. The top 100 pros from the 2006 FLW Tour and the top 30 pros from the 2006 Wal-Mart FLW Series will have priority entry into the 2007 FLW Tour. Entry dates will be released soon.
Named after the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, Forrest L. Wood, FLW Outdoors administers the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Series, Stren Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail presented by Abu Garcia, Stratos Owners' Tournament Trail, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye League, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Series, Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series and Wal-Mart FLW Striper Series. These circuits offer combined purses exceeding $37.9 million through 249 events in 2006.
For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournament programs, visit FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000.
Wal-Mart and many of America's largest and most respected companies support FLW Outdoors and its tournament trails. Wal-Mart signed on as an FLW Outdoors sponsor in 1997 and today is the world's leading supporter of tournament fishing. For more information about Wal-Mart, visit Wal-Mart.com.
2007 Wal-Mart FLW Tour Schedule Date Lake City, State Feb. 15-18 Lake Travis Austin, Texas March 29-April 1 Fort Loudoun Lake Knoxville, Tenn. $1.5 Million National Guard Open April 26-29 Lake Norman Charlotte, N.C. $1.5 Million Wal-Mart Open May 17-20 Beaver Lake Rogers, Ark. June 14-17 Potomac River Washington, D.C. $1.5 Million Chevy Open July 12-15 Detroit River Detroit, Mich. Forrest Wood Cup Aug. 1-5 Lake Ouachita Hot Springs, Ark. 2007 Wal-Mart FLW Tour Payouts $1 Million Qualifiers: 1.5 Million Opens: Ranger Co- Ranger Ranger Co- Ranger Place Pro Bonus angler Bonus Place Pro Bonus angler Bonus 1 $100000 $25000 $20000 $5000 1 $150000 $50000 $25000 $10000 2 50000 10000 2 50000 11000 3 30000 9000 3 30000 9000 4 25000 8000 4 25000 8000 5 17500 7000 5 18000 7000 6 16000 6000 6 16000 6000 7 15000 5000 7 14500 5000 8 14000 4000 8 13500 4000 9 13000 3000 9 13000 3000 10 12000 2000 10 12500 2000 11-15 11500 1500 11-15 12000 1500 16-20 11000 1400 16-20 11500 1400 21-25 10750 1300 21-25 11000 1300 26-30 10500 1200 26-30 10500 1200 31-40 10250 1100 31-40 10000 1100 41-50 10000 1050 41-50 10000 1000 51-60 5000 1000 51-60 10000 1000 61-75 3850 750 61-75 10000 800 76-100 100 76-100 10000 800 Big 750 Days 375 Days Big 750 Days 375 Days Bass 1 & 2 1 & 2 Bass 1 & 2 1 & 2
Source: FLW Outdoors
Grey Atlanta Kicks Off Falcons 2006 Season
Atlanta marketing agency chosen to rally Falcons' fans for an unprecedented football festival experience.
Grey Worldwide Atlanta, a fully integrated marketing agency and part of WPP Group, announced today that it has been selected to lead the marketing and promotional efforts for the Atlanta Falcons' training camp activities, which includes Midtown Touchdown, a fan festival at Piedmont Park. In addition to promoting unprecedented fan access to Falcons' players, Grey Atlanta will be responsible for positioning the Falcons' training camp and generating fan excitement for the 2006 season.
"This is deeply gratifying," said Mark Goldman, President of Grey Worldwide Atlanta. "This assignment is a tremendous vote of confidence on the part of the Atlanta Falcons and we are excited to market a whole new experience that Falcons fans can embrace and make their own. This full-access training camp concept is yet another example of the Falcons' commitment to their fans."
The marketing campaign begins with the positioning and promotion of a fourth "open" season that, beginning on July 27, 2006, allows fans free, unprecedented access to their favorite team and players. Fans are invited to the Falcons' training camp in Flowery Branch to enjoy free games, autograph opportunities, movie nights and up-close access to practice sessions. Grey Worldwide Atlanta will begin positioning the open season with a series of advertisements, including billboards, radio and print.
Grey will also head up the promotion of Midtown Touchdown on Saturday, August 5, 2006, at Piedmont Park. Beginning at 3:00 p.m., fans of all ages are invited to train for the 2006 Falcons football season as they participate in various youth football and agility skill drills, as well as cheerleading clinics. Fans also get the opportunity to meet and greet Falcons players. The evening culminates with an "under the helmet" practice at Grady Stadium and a fireworks display from Piedmont Park. Entrance to Midtown Touchdown at Piedmont Park is free to all fans; tickets to the practice at Grady Stadium are $5 each with proceeds benefiting Atlanta Public Schools athletic programs.
Grey Worldwide Atlanta is no rookie to such large marketing campaigns. The agency was drafted to head up the Falcons marketing efforts due, in part, to current work on the Brand Atlanta campaign and the Georgia Aquarium, as well as previous work on The Home Depot Kids Workshop.
"Grey Worldwide Atlanta has made its mark both in the city and across the country," said Dick Sullivan, Atlanta Falcons Executive Vice President of Marketing. "Grey's track record of outstanding work ensures we have chosen the right agency to help us engage our Falcons fans."
About the Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons enter the 2006 season with great anticipation after bolstering an already talented corps of players this offseason. Having led the NFL in rushing each of the past two seasons, the Falcons added another dimension to the mix with the addition of 12-year tackle Wayne Gandy via a trade with the New Orleans Saints. Defensively, Atlanta acquired a group of savvy veterans in All-Pro defensive end John Abraham, four-time Pro Bowl safety Lawyer Milloy and safety Chris Crocker.
The Falcons also added five players in the 2006 draft with the selections of cornerback Jimmy Williams, running back Jerious Norwood, tackle Quinn Ojinnaka, wide receiver Adam Jennings and quarterback D.J. Shockley. The new arrivals will look to build chemistry with a current Atlanta roster that features all six Falcons Pro Bowlers from 2005. Quarterback Michael Vick will once again look to guide running back Warrick Dunn and tight end Alge Crumpler to new heights after each of the Pro Bowlers set career highs last season. The addition of Abraham to the defensive line gives the Falcons three of the top 10 NFL sack leaders over the past five years as he joins Rod Coleman and Patrick Kerney. With the correct pieces in place, Atlanta is looking to make the upcoming season a memorable one.
Midtown Touchdown was created as a thank-you to fans and as part of the club's broader commitment to give back to the community. With $2 million in grants awarded annually by the Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation and outreach programs conducted throughout the year by coaches, players and staff, the team is dedicated to helping others, primarily by promoting physical fitness and healthy eating for Georgia's children.
About Grey Atlanta
Grey Worldwide is one of the world's largest advertising agency networks. It is a partner company of Grey Global Group, a WPP company (NASDAQ:WPPGY) . Grey Global Group ranks among the largest global communications companies in the world. It operates branded independent business units in many communications disciplines including general advertising, public relations/public affairs, healthcare marketing, brand development, relationship marketing, sales promotion and interactive marketing, and on
Americaneagle.com Goes Triple X with Redskins Radio and ESPN Radio
Washington DC's newest sports radio stations launch on www.triplexespnradio.com
Red Zebra Broadcasting took the Washington area radio market by storm this week by simultaneously launching three radio stations as home of Redskins Radio and ESPN Radio. The website -- www.triplexespnradio.com -- is a crucial element to success of the new stations, and Americaneagle.com proudly launched the first phase of the project, including integration of data feeds, real-time audio streaming of the live radio broadcast, full content management system, and more.
"This is just the first step of a major online initiative for Americaneagle.com and Red Zebra Broadcasting," explains Americaneagle.com Regional Director Chris Foss. "Over the course of the Redskins season, Americaneagle.com is launching exciting contests, promotions and features on the triplexespnradio.com website, and we've built the website to enable Red Zebra staff to manage practically everything through extremely easy-to-use content management tools."
Red Zebra Director of Engineering Chuck Bullet agrees: "The new website brings the radio station even closer to our fans with a higher level of interaction and excitement, and the content management system allows our staff to immediately update the website and ensure we are delivering timely news and information on the Internet."
Please visit www.triplexespnradio.com and explore the new website of Redskins Radio and ESPN Radio.
About Americaneagle.com
Americaneagle.com offers a complete package of Internet solutions including Website design, Internet branding, development, hosting, and maintenance services. They have designed and hosted more than 3,000 Web projects for professional sports teams, small and medium sized businesses, associations, Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, and state and federal government. These, and many other examples, are listed on their online portfolio at www.americaneagle.com. Americaneagle.com's regional office is located in Alexandria, VA
Source: Americaneagle.com
