Desmond Howard and Nissan Challenge Football Fans to "Innovate The Heisman Pose"

FRANKLIN, Tenn., Nov. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) and 1991 Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard today announced the Innovate The Heisman Pose contest, challenging college football fans to take the iconic symbol of gridiron greatness to the next level. Launched on the brand's U.S. Facebook page, fans are asked to submit photos of themselves doing the Heisman pose in the funniest or most creative situation for a chance to attend college football's biggest game.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080506/NISSANWORDMARKLOGO)

One grand prize winner, as determined by Desmond Howard and a panel of Nissan executives, will receive an all-expenses paid trip for two to the Allstate BCS Championship game. Three runners up will receive a trip for two to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl (2nd Place), Allstate Sugar Bowl (3rd Place), or Discover Orange Bowl (4th Place).

"When I crossed the goal line that day in 1991 and struck the Heisman pose, I had no idea fans would still be emulating it 20 years later," said Desmond Howard. "To this day, people ask me to strike the pose for photos. After all these years, I'm happy Nissan is giving me the opportunity to turn the tables and see what innovative ideas fans will create."

Interested applicants can enter their photo on the Innovate The Heisman Pose tab of the Nissan Facebook page found at http://www.facebook.com/nissan. The contest opens November 21, 2011 and submissions will be accepted through 9:00am EST on Wednesday, December 14.

"Nissan is proud to be an official sponsor of both the Heisman Trophy and the Bowl Championship Series, so we wanted to bring those two partnerships together in a fun and engaging way for our Facebook community," said Erich Marx, Director Social Media & Interactive Marketing. "We're excited to join forces with Desmond Howard, who isn't only a college football legend, but also created one of the sport's most iconic images when he struck his famous Heisman pose."

The 2011-2012 college football season marks the fifth year of Nissan's sponsorship of the Heisman Trophy and partnership with Sports Illustrated to co-host the Sports Illustrated Heisman Tour Presented by Nissan, a 10-stop national tour and interactive fan experience at the season's marquee matchups. Additionally, this season Nissan brought 11 former Heisman Trophy winners together under one roof in the Heisman House, creating a series of 45-second spots airing each week before ESPN's Saturday Night Football on ABC.

The Nissan Innovate The Heisman Pose contest is open to all residents of the Continental United States, ages 18 and older that are available to travel to the BCS Bowl Games January 1 – 10, 2012. For full contest details and rules, please click on the Innovate The Heisman Pose tab on Nissan's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/nissan.

About Nissan in North America

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010 and has been recognized as a 2010 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com.

About Desmond Howard

In 2010, Howard was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. He is one of only four people to win a Heisman Trophy and a Super Bowl MVP. Currently a sports broadcaster for ESPN College GameDay, his post football career achievements also include induction into the Gator Bowl Hall of Fame and State of Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.  His television honors include being a part of the Sports Emmy winning season of College GameDay (2007-2008). More information on Desmond Howard can be found online at http://www.desmondhoward.com.  

SOURCE Nissan North America, Inc.