Giant Digitally-Animated Fireworks Display to Debut on One Times Square to Celebrate Independence Day

NEW YORK, June 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Blazing in the patriotic colors of red, white and blue, a giant, digitally-animated fireworks display will debut on Wednesday, June 27th on One Times Square as the ultimate tribute to Independence Day.  Just as anticipation for Fourth of July festivities begins, the giant, 130-feet digitally-animated fireworks will magically appear, signaling the beginning of a another new holiday tradition for the millions expected to visit the "Crossroads of the World."

This dazzling display of digital delights will be featured on the Toshiba Vision screens and the TDK screen on the building where the New Year's Eve Ball descends. The iconic Ball will be lit in patriotic red, white and blue for the debut.  

The new digital fireworks will follow in the footsteps of the celebrated Times Square digital Christmas tree, which debuted last year on One Times Square. This digital-wonder Christmas tree was recently recognized by GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ as a new achievement:  the "Tallest animated lighting decoration is 39.66 m (130 ft 1 in) tall and it was a Christmas tree created by Toshiba Corporation and TDK Corporation (both Japan) at Times Square in New York, New York, USA on 5 December 2011. This record was verified on 21 May 2012."

Rising 400 feet above street level, the 130-feet digital fireworks display will utilize state of the art graphic designs, designed for maximum visual exposure in Times Square. With the background of a starlit sky, the appearance of skylights, reminiscent of a Broadway premiere, signal the beginning of a traditional Times Square countdown.  As the countdown gets to "1," a digital collage of brilliant red, white and blue fireworks, including rockets and roman candles, surround a rising American flag, with the iconic New York skyline as the perfect background. A shimmering "Happy 4th of July 2012" then appears to complete the patriotic display.        

Joining in the launch of the fireworks will be Yoshiaki Uchiyama, Vice President, Corporate Communications & CSR and Corporate Planning, Toshiba America, Inc.; Kazuyoshi Onishi, Assistant Vice President, TDK U.S.A. Corporation and Jeffrey Straus, President, Countdown Entertainment.  

The digital display will decorate the summer sky and set the mood for the Independence Day holiday in Times Square beginning on June 27, 2012 through July 8th, 2012, appearing on the screens every 11 minutes, 24 hours a day.

On July 4th, the digital fireworks will run continuously as the only featured programming on the Toshiba Vision screens and the TDK screen, as a special salute to the day.   

"We are thrilled that our digital Christmas tree was recognized by GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ as the world's tallest animated lighting decoration," says Yoshiaki Uchiyama.  "It is with great pride that we bring the millions who will be visiting Times Square another digital marvel, our Independence Day fireworks display on One Times Square."

"TDK is proud to be a part of what we hope will be another new tradition in Times Square, the magnificent digital fireworks display, especially created to set the summer holiday mood for all," says Kazuyoshi Onishi.

About Toshiba
Toshiba is a world-leading diversified manufacturer, solutions provider and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products and systems. Toshiba Group brings innovation and imagination to a wide range of businesses: digital products, including LCD TVs, notebook PCs, retail solutions and MFPs; electronic devices, including semiconductors, storage products and materials; industrial and social infrastructure systems, including power generation systems, smart community solutions, medical systems and escalators & elevators; and home appliances. Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 550 consolidated companies, with 202,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 6.1 trillion yen (US$74 billion). Visit Toshiba's web site at www.toshiba.com.

About TDK Corporation
TDK Corporation is a leading electronics company based in Tokyo, Japan. It was established in 1935 to commercialize ferrite, a key material in electronic and magnetic products. TDK's current product line includes passive components, magnetic application products as well as energy devices, flash memory application devices, and others. TDK today focuses on demanding markets in the areas of information and communication technology and consumer, automotive and industrial electronics. The company has a network of design and manufacturing locations and sales offices in Asia, Europe, and in North and South America. In fiscal 2012, TDK posted total sales of USD 9.9 billion and employed about 79,000 people worldwide.

About Toshiba Vision
Prominently positioned below the world-famous New Year countdown ball in New York City's Times Square business and entertainment district, Toshiba's massive dual LED signboards, known collectively as "TOSHIBA VISION," serve a variety of promotional and public-service functions. In addition to illuminating the annual New Year countdown for upwards of 1 billion celebrants worldwide, the Interlocking System connects both boards in brilliant seasonal displays and animated sporting events. From atop One Times Square Building, one of the most valuable advertising locations in the world, TOSHIBA VISION ensures superb domestic and international media exposure, providing the Toshiba brand with unrivalled quantitative and qualitative promotional benefits. For more information on the TOSHIBA VISION LED signboards please visit http://www.facebook.com/ToshibaInnovation.

*GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ is a registered trademark of Guinness World Records Limited. 

SOURCE ADK America, Inc.