Infiniti Announces Auto Partnership With the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and NBC

NEW YORK, Aug. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- In a partnership with the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and NBC, Infiniti will serve as the official Automotive Sponsor of the Television Academy and the 62nd Primetime Emmy® Awards, as well as the broadcast sponsor of NBC's 2010 Emmy® telecast, hosted by Jimmy Fallon, on Sunday, August 29 (8-11 pm ET/ 5-8 pm PT). As part of the broadcast sponsorship, Infiniti will join forces with NBC to create a unique custom advertising campaign showcasing the all-new 2011 Infiniti QX luxury sport utility vehicle and featuring members of cast of NBC's hit comedy series "Community," which has its season premiere on Thursday, September 23 (8 – 8:30 pm).

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"The Primetime Emmy® Awards annually recognizes great performances, which makes it the perfect advertising environment for Infiniti, our 'inspired performances' campaign and the introduction and celebration of the all-new Infiniti QX," said Infiniti Vice President Ben Poore. "By combining the storied history of the Emmys® with the quality and talent of NBC, we've created a unique and 'inspired' ad campaign that showcases the QX to its full advantage and creates excitement around the brand."

The NBC-produced featurettes will play like a mini-storyline from "Community" and take place within an Infiniti QX. The pieces feature characters from the show, dressed in their black-tie best, traveling in grand style to an Emmy® party and talking about what the evening might, or might not, have in store. With everyone riding in the same car, Infiniti's message of "modern luxury, powerfully crafted" is conveyed through a series of three different comedic spots.  The custom content will also be distributed virally and on social media platforms via a special nbc.com widget.

As part of the broadcast sponsorship, Infiniti will also serve as the exclusive automotive advertiser during the Primetime Emmys® and supplement the custom spots with a traditional media buy across both NBC's "62nd Primetime Emmy Awards Red Carpet Special" (August 29, 7-8 pm ET/4- 5 pm PT) and "The 62nd Primetime Emmy® Awards" broadcast.

Jim Hoffman, SVP, Sales & Marketing, Network Entertainment for NBC Universal said, "We're extremely pleased to partner with Infiniti for this exciting event.  By working closely with our client, our creative teams and the amazing and talented cast of 'Community,' we're able to organically showcase the new Infiniti and its message of modern luxury in a way that's entertaining and engaging to our audience."

As the official Automotive Sponsor of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Infiniti will enjoy a yearlong relationship with the organization. In addition to sponsoring the 62nd Primetime Emmy® Awards, Infiniti will co-host the 62nd Primetime Emmys® Performers Nominee Reception on August 27th and provide 50 luxury cars to help transport talent to and from this year's Awards ceremony.

"We are pleased to partner with Infiniti not only as we celebrate the biggest night in television, but throughout the year with the Television Academy's numerous membership, industry and community events," said John Shaffner, Chairman and CEO of the Television Academy.

The all-new 2011 Infiniti QX is designed to offer a true five-star travel experience, while providing the benefits of the world's first Around View® Monitor, available eight-passenger seating capacity, versatile cargo space and 8,500-pound towing capacity. It sets a new standard in full-size luxury SUVs.

Created by Dan Harmon ("The Sarah Silverman Program"), "Community" is a smart comedy series about a band of misfits who attend Greendale Community College.  The series stars Joel McHale ("The Soup"), Chevy Chase ("Chuck"), Gillian Jacobs ("The Book of Daniel"), Yvette Nicole Brown ("Rules of Engagement"), Danny Pudi ("Greek"), Alison Brie ("Mad Men"), Donald Glover ("30 Rock") and Ken Jeong ("The Hangover").  "Community" is a Krasnoff Foster Entertainment, Harmonious Claptrap, Russo Brothers production, Universal Media Studios production in association with Sony Pictures Television.  Harmon serves as an executive producer along with Russ Krasnoff ("The Soloist"), Joe Russo ("Arrested Development"), Anthony Russo ("Arrested Development"), Garrett Donovan ("Scrubs"), Neil Goldman ("Scrubs") and Gary Foster ("The Soloist").

About Infiniti:

Infiniti offers a full-line of luxury performance automobiles that inspire at every turn, including the G Coupe, Sedan and first-ever Convertible, M sedan, EX and FX crossovers, and the QX full-size SUV. More information about Infiniti and its Total Ownership Experience can be found at www.InfinitiUSA.com.

About NBC Universal:

NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.

About the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences:

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences was founded in 1946 just one month after network television was born.  It is a non-profit organization devoted to the advancement of telecommunications arts and sciences and to fostering creative leadership in the telecommunications industry.  In addition to recognizing outstanding programming through its Primetime Emmy® Awards, the Television Academy publishes Emmy magazine and through its Foundation, is responsible for the Archive of American Television, College Television Awards, acclaimed student internships and other educational outreach programs.  For more information on the Television Academy and its many industry-related programs and services, please visit www.emmys.com and www.emmys.tv

SOURCE Infiniti