MEM TARGETED PROMOTIONS MONITOR, MARCH 2004 ENTERTAINMENT Sony Urban Launches a nationwide Joe Cerini, Sony Urban A & R Executive search for rap, hip-hop, 550 Madison Ave. and R & B talent, New York, NY 10022 including rappers, Phone: 212-833-8000 singers, and producers. Website: http://www.sonymusic.com In support of the pro- gram, Sony Urban, a division of Sony Music, is conducting a 20-city showcase event series. The showcases, which are expected to run for 8-10 months, will be produced by local hip-hop promoters in each market. Parti- cipants are screened and selected through a process administered by Sony Urban and showcase production partner GigAmerica. Host cities include Boston; Virginia Beach; Charlotte, NC; Birmingham, AL; Montgomery, AL; Jackson, MI; Louisville; New Orleans; Orlando; Miami; Houston; Dallas; Memphis; San Antonio; Chicago; St. Louis; Kansas City, MO; Columbus, OH; Detroit; Denver; San Francisco and Los Angeles. Black Entertainment Television The BET Foundation teams Debra Lee, President with General Mills'Honey 1900 W PL, NE Nut Cheerios and Chex Washington, DC 20019 cereals to launch A Healthy Phone: 202-608-2441 BET, a nationwide campaign Website:http://www.bet.com to promote healthy lifestyles and eating habits among BET's audience. BET's primary target is young African American females. The promotion includes public service announcements that provide a toll-free number to call for free health and fitness brochures and information on a national fitness contest. Consumers can enter The Healthy BET Fitness Challenge by logging onto Bet.com/ahealthybet and describing in 100 words or less why they want to take the Fitness Challenge. Four finalists will be selected to take the Healthy BET Fitness Challenge, which consists of a trip to a leading health resort, a gym membership, a personal trainer for one month a personal chef for one month, a supply of Honey Nut Cheerios and Chex cereals, other General Mills products and the BET Healthy Living Journal. The finalists will have 60 days to accomplish their stated fitness/weight loss goals. All finalists who achieve their goals will be rewarded with trips for two to the '4th Annual BET Awards' show in Hollywood, including airfare, hotel for three nights, and $500 in spending money. (General Mills, Jon Wiersum, VP, One General Mills Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55426; phone: 612-540-3626; fax: 612-540-7995; website:http//www. generalmills.com) Fuse Fuse music television Mary Corigliano, VP of Marketing announces a year-long 11 Penn Plaza, 15th Fl. promotional partnership with New York, NY 10001 HOT 97.1 FM, a hip-hop themed Phone: 212-324-3408 radio station in New York Website: http://www.fuse.tv City. The first phase of the partnership is a hip-hop fashion and music event titled 'Full Frontal,' which will be held March 2 in New York City. The show will be taped for a one-hour special to air later in the month. 'Full Frontal' and other co-branded events will be marketed via affiliate events. street team marketing, print advertising in local media, cross-channel spots, and special on-air content and on-air promotions on both stations. FOOD/BEVERAGES Sprite Targets the urban youth John Carroll, Group Director for Sprite market with a new One Coca-Cola Plaza initiative centered around Atlanta, GA 30313 a character called Miles Phone: 404-676-2121 Thirst, a 10-inch vinyl Website:http://www.sprite.com figure. The first ad debuted last month during the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s All Star Game and co-starred Cleveland Cavaliers rookie LeBron James. Two other ads, titled 'Two Sprites' and 'What's Better Than Sprite;' are slated to run throughout the year. According to Sprite, Thirst reflects the diverse culture of today's teens by 'sporting stylish clothes and spouting insight and attitude.' Thirst is the focal point of an overall integrated marketing campaign aimed at young people that will include an online program and Thirst's own website. Marketing efforts include street teams handing out Thirst posters, magnets, stickers and t-shirts. HEALTH/BEAUTY AIDS Combe Inc. Launches a five-month Michael Wendroff, VP of Men's Spanish-language media Personal Care Products Marketing campaign for Castano Negro, 1101 Westchester Ave. a haircoloring line for White Plains, NY 10604 Hispanic men introduced Phone: 800-431-2610 last summer. The campaign Website:http://www.justformen.com will consist of two 30-second TV and radio spots and will run in Spanish-language media in key Hispanic markets, including Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Phoenix and San Francisco. Combe will also begin national distribution of the new haircolor in Spanish- language packaging, which will be carried in leading retail, drug and grocery stores around the country, including Albertsons, Kmart, Longs, Publix, Ralphs, Safeway and Walgreens. Source: MARKETING TO THE EMERGING MAJORITIES
