AMERICAN IDOL LIVE! Tour Rules Summer Concert Circuit; Ford, Coca-Cola, and U.S. Air Force Reserve Join as Sponsors

LOS ANGELES, July 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The AMERICAN IDOL LIVE! Tour, which is proving to be one of the best-selling tours of the summer as tickets continue to sell at light speed in markets across the country, has joined forces with Ford Motor Company, Coca-Cola, and U.S. Air Force Reserve for a series of innovative charitable and promotional campaigns.

AMERICAN IDOL LIVE! officially kicked off last week at the Maverick Center in West Valley City, Utah, with a night of breathtaking performances by this season's top 11 finalists—including winner Scott McCreery and fan favorites Lauren Alaina, Pia Toscano, Casey Abrams, Haley Reinhart, Stefano Langone, James Durbin, Paul McDonald, Thia Megia, Jacob Lusk, and Naima Adedepo.

Tickets for the tour are selling at a record pace, out-performing the 2010 run and making this one of the best-selling IDOL tours in the television show's 10-year history. As a result of the huge demand, second shows have been added in Long Island, N.Y., and Newark, N.J.

Adding to the excitement, Ford Motor Company, Coca-Cola, and U.S. Air Force Reserve have all signed on as official tour sponsors.

Ford, which shot a series of Ford Music Videos featuring the Top 11 that aired on AMERICAN IDOL this past season, will be giving tour audiences a chance to vote via text message for their favorite Ford Music Video; two lucky fans will be chosen from among the participants at each show to meet the Idols backstage after the curtain comes down. Before the scheduled performance in each city, Ford is also offering fans the opportunity to win tickets and meet-and-greet passes via Ford's Facebook page and local radio promotions.

Coca-Cola has teamed up with McDonalds to sponsor visits to eight Ronald McDonald houses on tour stops across the country, with two IDOL finalists lending a helping hand on each visit. The first stop, which took place on July 13th, saw Paul Mc Donald and Casey Abrams bring a lot of fun and laughter to the Ronald McDonald house in Stanford, CA. They signed autographs, played games and posed for pictures with all of the children. At select cities along the tour, Coca-Cola will be showcasing its "Swelter Stopper" dome – an interactive experience complete with plenty of ice-cold Coke, frosty blasts of air, and swirling snow.  In addition, Coca-Cola will also offer a mobile game with SVNGR featuring AMERICAN IDOL LIVE! and Coke-themed awards.

The U.S. Air Force Reserve's sponsorship gives military personnel a chance to meet the American Idols.  The Idols will be doing base visits at Tinker Air Force Base and NAS JRB Fort Worth, meeting and taking pictures with military personnel. Air Force Reservists will participate in a Meet & Greet with the Idols at selected dates on tour and the Idols will also shoot a Public Service Announcement at Carswell Air Force Base, where they will meet the servicemen and women of our armed forces, and show their support for keeping our country strong and free.

About CKX, Inc.

CKX, Inc. is engaged in the ownership, development and commercial utilization of globally recognized entertainment content. The Company's current properties include the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali and the operations of Graceland. Through its wholly-owned division 19 Entertainment Ltd., CKX owns proprietary rights to the IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance television brands, including the American Idol series in the United States and local adaptations of the IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance television show formats which, collectively, air in more than 100 countries, as well as other television properties. Also through 19, CKX has relationships and partnerships with some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, Haley Reinhart, James Durban, Casey Abrams, Pia Toscano, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Adam Lambert, Kelly Clarkson, David Cook, Jordin Sparks, and Kris Allen, among others.  For more information about CKX, Inc., visit its corporate website at www.ckx.com.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 166,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world's most valuable brand, the Company's portfolio features 15 billion dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate of 1.7 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

About U.S. Air Force Reserve

President Harry Truman called for the formation of the Air Force Reserve in 1948, just a year after the United States Air Force was formed. Originally, the Reserve was conceived as a "stand by" force for emergencies. But in February 1997, the Air Force Reserve changed from a Field Operating Agency to a Major Command (MAJCOM). Since then, the 71,500-member force has evolved into the Air Force's Wingman, performing the same missions and working side-by-side on the same equipment. The Air Force Reserve is an exciting, vibrant part of the nation's defense. It offers similar benefits afforded to those on active duty, with one major addition: the benefit of time. Time to be with your family, time to work at your civilian career, and time to serve your country. An ideal option for those who have never been in the military and want to participate without being on full-time active duty, the Reserve is also a great way for those in other branches of the military to continue their benefits. Those include educational and retirement programs; starting their civilian careers with the stability of a second paycheck; and continuing the camaraderie and adventure only available through the service. http://www.AFReserve.com and http://www.facebook.com/airforcereserve.

SOURCE AMERICAN IDOL LIVE!