San Bernardino County, Calif. — Sharp and 3M continue to expand their sports-related promotional activities behind Aquos LCD TVs by inking a title sponsorship with California Speedway for the Fall NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Race.
The race, which will take place Sept. 2, 2007, will be known as the Sharp Aquos 500.
Sharp also expanded on its Major League Baseball (MLB) sponsorship by partnering with electronics retailers around the country to promote the Sharp Major League Baseball Sweepstakes. The promotion is giving away prizes ranging from Aquos LCD TVs to tickets to the World Series. A dedicated online portal was established to promote the event.
As the the sponsor of the Fall NASCAR race, Sharp and 3M will receive signage and branding opportunities throughout the Speedway. The brands will also have a presence in several pre-race activities including parade laps and will use the Speedway’s large screen video displays to present information about their products.
Several Aquos LCD TV models include 3M Vikuiti brightness enhancement films, which enhance picture brightness in any room lighting conditions. Sharp and 3M have teamed up for other co-marketing initiatives including the Busch Series and Nextel Cup races.
The MLB sweepstakes promotion will run through September. 22 and is part of a fully integrated marketing effort that also includes an experiential HD lounge at major MLB events; a mobile marketing tour traveling to retail locations, MLB games and other special events; and in-store, print and broadcast advertising.
“This sweepstakes promotion marks a major effort by Sharp to fully leverage our relationship with Major League Baseball,” said Judah Zeigler, Sharp retail and consumer marketing associate VP. “The promotion blends the live experience at Major League Baseball games seamlessly with online and retail efforts, allowing Sharp an opportunity to deliver a rich and unique entertainment experience for baseball fans.”
More than two million eDecoder game pieces will be distributed to consumers at participating Sharp retailers and select MLB games around the country, directing people to enter the sweepstakes via www.sharpmlb.com.
After answering various Major League Baseball and Sharp product trivia questions, consumers are prompted to use their eDecoders to reveal a hidden message alerting them if they’re an instant winner (those without eDecoders can participate by using a digital version of the eDecoder online).
The Grand Prize is a trip for two to a 2007 World Series game, along with more than 1,000 other prizes including trips to the 2008 Spring Training site of their choice, Sharp Aquos full-HD 1080p LCD TVs and MLB.com online gift certificates.
After completing the online sweepstakes, consumers also have a second chance to win each day by printing a special online game piece print-out that can be decoded in stores by participating retailers across the country.
