Hearst Magazines Partners With Cie Games for Online Integration of Car and Driver in Car Town, the Top Rated Social Game on Facebook

LONG BEACH, Calif., Sept. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Published by Hearst Magazines, Car and Driver, the world's largest automotive magazine, has just announced a partnership with Cie Games' wildly popular Car Town Facebook game, the #1 automotive social game that is built around established brands. The integrated partnership kicks off this week and extends into 2012.

Car Town's millions of active users will see new-car releases and announcements presented in the form of a Car and Driver magazine cover, just as when the vehicles' real-world counterparts are reviewed by C/D editors.

"We're very excited to partner with Car Town to bring our expert reviews and content into the social-game arena," said Rob Houghtlin, Publisher/Chief Revenue Officer of Car and Driver and Road & Track. "This is a great opportunity for us to expose our brand to a new and younger audience in a very engaging and dynamic manner."

As part of the partnership, a coveted Car and Driver 10Best award will be given to players for creating outstanding virtual car and garage designs in Car Town. Monthly contest winners will have the opportunity to be featured in Car and Driver magazine, as well as on C/D's website and social-media channels. In addition to featuring the Car and Driver 10Best winners, there will be Car Town News updates in the magazine which will highlight the latest features and hints and tips from the game.

"The Car and Driver brand is a perfect fit," said Justin Choi, president and CEO, Cie Games. "And to be able to reward avid Car Town players with a virtual Car and Driver 10Best award and recognition in a highly respected automotive magazine is an exciting first."

ABOUT CAR AND DRIVER

Car and Driver (http://www.caranddriver.com) is known for its expert editorial team consisting of credible journalists who are highly regarded by car enthusiasts and automotive manufacturers for their integrity and high standards. The magazine is published by Hearst Magazines (www.hearst.com) twelve times each year, boasting the largest audience of any monthly automotive magazine. The Car and Driver brand is a leading source of information for automotive enthusiasts and in-market car buyers. The brand also extends to many platforms, including websites, mobile sites, iPhone/iPad apps, events, custom marketing programs and integrated marketing databases.

ABOUT HEARST MAGAZINES

Hearst Magazines is a unit of Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com), one of the nation's largest diversified communications companies. Once it completes its acquisition of Lagardere SCA's 100 titles in 14 countries outside of France, Hearst Magazines will publish more than 300 editions around the world, including 20 U.S. titles. Hearst Magazines is a leading publisher of monthly magazines in the U.S. in terms of total circulation and reaches 88 million adults (Spring 2010 MRI). Hearst Magazines Digital Media, dedicated to creating and implementing Hearst Magazines' digital strategy, has more than 28 websites and 14 mobile sites for brands such as Cosmopolitan, Popular Mechanics, ELLE, ELLE DECOR, Good Housekeeping, Marie Claire, and Seventeen, as well as digital-only sites such as Delish.com, a food site in partnership with MSN; MisQuinceMag.com; and RealBeauty.com. Hearst Magazines has published nearly 100 applications and digital editions for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch, as well as the Droid platform. In addition, the company includes iCrossing, a global digital marketing agency.

ABOUT CIE GAMES

Cie Games (www.ciegames.com) is a leading publisher and developer of social games. Its popular Car Town game on Facebook (www.facebook.com/cartown or www.cartown.com) has attracted more than 35 million players since its launch in 2010. Cie Games has developed licensing, advertising and marketing partnerships and integrations with more than 30 major companies and brands, including NASCAR, General Motors, Honda, Toyota, Ferrari, Universal Pictures, Regal Entertainment and others. Cie Games is located in Long Beach, Calif.

SOURCE CIE Games