Sharp, 3M In Racing Promo

By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 4/23/2007

CONCORD, N.C. — AQUOS LCD TVs will be prominently featured in a new joint racing sponsorship by Sharp and 3M's Vikuiti division.

The two companies are teaming up to sponsor a pair of Roush Fenway Racing teams, including current Busch Series points leader Carl Edwards in five Busch Series races and current 12th place Nextel challenger Jamie McMurray in two Nextel Cup races.

Both racing teams will debut their Sharp AQUOS/3M Vikuiti Ford Fusions at Talladega SuperSpeedway later this month.

Sharp, which recently announced a major sponsorship deal with Major League Baseball, is placing emphasis on sports-related advertising for its AQUOS LCD TV line this spring and summer. Meanwhile, 3M produces 3MT Vikuiti Brightness Enhancement Films used in many leading LCD TVs, including AQUOS sets.

Both the No. 26 and No. 60 Ford Fusions will display the Sharp AQUOS and 3M Vikuiti brands, the companies said.

McMurray will be running the No. 26 Sharp AQUOS/3M Vikuiti Ford Fusion at Talladega Speedway on April 29 and again at California Speedway on Sept. 2. Edwards will pilot the No. 60 Sharp AQUOS/3M Vikuiti Ford Fusion at Talladega Speedway on April 28, Kentucky Speedway on June 16, Chicagoland Speedway on July 14, Michigan International Speedway on Aug. 18 and California Speedway on Sept. 1.

"Sharp Electronics is excited to highlight our brand and our co-branding relationship with 3M, with two of the most well-known and charismatic drivers in NASCAR today," stated Bruce Tripido, Sharp marketing associate VP in the entertainment products division.