Sharp Kicks Off Aquos/MLB Promotions
By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 7/11/2008
Mahwah, N.J. — Sharp launched Friday a nationwide consumer promotion timed with the start of Major League Baseball's (MLB) All-Star Week, July 11–15.
The project, called the "Wiining Lineup" sweekpstakes, will involve a retail blitz and multiple live activations in and around New York City during All-Star week. During the campaign, Sharp will award more than 1,000 prizes including trips, dozens of Aquos products and 12 chances to meet an MLB player.
Twelve grand-prize winners will receive an Aquos LCD TV, “delivered” personally by an MLB player.
Consumers can register for the sweepstakes at www.sharpmlb.com.
As the highlight of promotion, Sharp has arranged with the Major League Baseball Players Association to work with 12 MLB baseball players to promote and enhance Sharp's MLB sponsorship through retail, consumer promotions and events throughout the 2008 baseball season.
MLB players who will serve as spokesmen include all-star David Ortiz along with Hank Blalock, Prince Fielder, Carlos Gomez, Matt Holliday, Andruw Jones, Felipe Lopez, John Maine, Hanley Ramirez, Mariano Rivera, Jonathan Sanchez and Ryan Theriot.
Ortiz will represent Sharp for national promotions and events throughout the year, and will appear in various elements of Sharp's national advertising campaign.
In other activities, Sharp Street Teams will cover New York City during All-Star week, handing out “lineup cards.”
At the DHL FanFest inside New York City’s Javits Center, Sharp will present two major showcases. Visitors at Sharp's “What's your Call” area will have the opportunity as virtual umpires calling balls and strikes from action carried on a full HD Aquos LCD TV.
Multiple video gaming stations will offer visitors a chance to play baseball-themed video games on full HD 1080p Aquos LCD TVs, while laptop computers in the area will allow people to register for the Winning Lineup Sweepstakes.
Also at FanFest will be the 53-foot, traveling Sharp Aquos Experience mobile tour, inviting visitors inside to see a full Aquos product lineup side by side.
The double bump-out trailer will travel throughout the country to present visitors with MLB programming in HD and interactive programming.
“Our relationship with Major League Baseball is helping us to reach an audience that appreciates the value of a high-quality HDTV liquid crystal television,” stated Judah Zeigler, Sharp retail and consumer marketing associate VP. “We are looking forward to working with some of baseball's greats and enjoying even greater success as we expand the Aquos brand and by providing our retailers with assets which will enable them to consistently utilize the Sharp MLB and MLBPA relationships to enhance their sales and marketing efforts.”
During the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, Sharp will be staging live photo booths to give fans a personalized Sharp-branded baseball card featuring their picture, and areas with computer kiosks that allow people to register to win in the Sharp Winning Lineup Sweepstakes. During and after the game Sharp will host an All-Star party at Webster Hall in Manhattan. A private, live viewing party for Sharp retail partners, VIPs and MLB partners, the venue will be equipped with more than 100 Sharp Aquos LCD TVs showing the MLB All-Star Game in high definition. Entertainment from local DJs and a live band will be highlighting the party that includes an appearance by an MLB legend.
