TBS and Ford Drive Consumers to Charity Auction on eBay to Bid on Autographed 2007 Ford Fusion from COMIC RELIEF 2006
Bidding Kicks off on eBay Nov. 14 with All Proceeds Raised Going to Comic Relief Charities
COMIC RELIEF 2006 will be Simulcast on TBS and HBO, Saturday, Nov. 18
Starting Nov. 14, the �very funny� TBS and the fun-loving Ford Fusion are driving consumers to eBay.com to bid on the hottest ticket item for comedy lovers, an autographed 2007 Ford Fusion from this year�s COMIC RELIEF 2006. COMIC RELIEF 2006 will be presented from Caesars Palace in Las Vegas as part of the second annual edition of THE COMEDY FESTIVAL. The event will be simulcast on TBS and HBO, Saturday, Nov. 18, at 9 p.m. (ET live/ PT tape-delayed) and hosted by Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams.
The Ford Fusion will be on hand during COMIC RELIEF 2006 rehearsals, where emerging and legendary comedic talent will be offered the opportunity to autograph the Ford Fusion. Stars scheduled to appear include Roseanne Barr, Lewis Black, Dane Cook, Louis C.K., Mike Epps, Susie Essman, D.L. Hughley, Jimmy Kimmel, George Lopez, Bill Maher, Rosie O�Donnell, Ray Romano, Rebecca Romijn, Rita Rudner, Steve Schirripa, Sarah Silverman, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, Debra Wilson and the men of Desperate Housewives and Entourage. With a mission to unite the comedy community behind some of society�s most relevant causes and pressing needs, COMIC RELIEF 2006 will help the rebirth of New Orleans by raising funds for families affected by Hurricane Katrina. The telecast will include a live remote from Harrah�s Fulton Street in New Orleans and showcase the work of New Orleans filmmaker Kenny Morrison.
During the Nov. 18 broadcast on TBS, Todd Vagi, Ford Car Communications Manger from Ford Motor Company, will announce the company�s commitment of donating $50,000 to Comic Relief, in addition to the bidding opportunity on eBay. TBS.com, the Ford Fusion Web site, TheComedyFestival.com and ComicRelief.org will all drive visitors to www.eBay.com/comicrelief to learn more about bidding on the high profile item. In addition to online promotion, Ford will have a computer kiosk on-site at THE COMEDY FESTIVAL, offering visitors the opportunity to log onto their eBay account and bid on the Fusion.
�Ford is the leader in bold moves, and this TBS branded opportunity designed to raise funds for Comic Relief is nothing short of that endeavor,� said Linda Yaccarino, executive vice president, Turner Entertainment Ad Sales and Marketing. �TBS and Ford are dedicated to raising awareness around this very worthwhile organization by developing unique, branded creative elements thread through online, on-site and on-air consumer interaction.�
Ford is also featured in co-branded promotional support leading up to THE COMEDY FESTIVAL televised events on TBS, including customized on-air tune-ins and THE COMEDY FESTIVAL micro site at TBS.com. This extensive online destination features additional information on purchasing event tickets, a TBS programming guide and a fan forum, as well as the interactive game, TBS Very Funny Texas Hold �Em, designed in the spirit of the TBS �very funny� sitcom characters.
This unique branded opportunity was developed alongside Ford�s advertising agency JWT-Detroit. The eBay auction will be managed online by Auction Cause.
Ford Motor Company, an early pioneer of the automobile industry based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 300,000 employees and more than 100 plants worldwide, the company�s core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford�s products, please visit www.fordvehicles.com.
TBS, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is television�s �very funny� network. It serves as home to such hot contemporary comedies as Sex and the City, Everybody Loves Raymond, Family Guy, Seinfeld and Friends; original comedy series, like the upcoming scripted comedies My Boys and 10 Items or Less; specials and special events, like The Comedy Festival in Las Vegas, for which TBS serves as title sponsor; blockbuster movies; and hosted movie showcases.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a TimeWarner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and a leading provider of programming for the television industry.
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