Let The Countdown Begin!

NEW YORK, Dec. 22, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Let the countdown begin! Toshiba America Inc. has been named the exclusive sponsor for the Official Countdown of the Times Square 2011 New Year's Eve Celebration, it was announced today.

And with excitement mounting as the world's most famous countdown approaches, Toshiba America will be at the forefront of New Year's Eve events at the Crossroads of the World, Times Square.  

This year, the iconic 60-second countdown to midnight will be enhanced by audio and pyrotechnic effects on the TOSHIBA VISION screen, located directly below the world famous Times Square New Year's Eve Ball.

In addition, from 6 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. eastern time, all eyes will be on the TOSHIBA VISION screen atop One Times Square and six mobile LED screens throughout Times Square. The screens will  feature New Year's Eve content and entertainment for the more than one million-plus expected revelers including hourly practice countdowns, live and prerecorded video clips of musical performances, revelers, celebrities, and other New Year's Eve excitement.

New this year is the first official Times Square Ball App, specially designed for Apple and Android mobile devices. Toshiba, along with Livestream and the Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment, organizers of Times Square New Year's Eve, have launched the first official Times Square Ball App, specially designed for Apple and Android mobile devices. The free app is designed to put you in the middle of the legendary New Year's Eve festivities in Times Square, no matter where you are in the world. This app will also give you the chance to upload a photo that may actually appear on the TOSHIBA VISION screen during the New Year's Eve festivities!

And, to add to the excitement for all revelers, including those who won't be in Times Square, Toshiba will be conducting hourly giveaways during New Year's Eve for residents of the Continental United States. Prizes may include Toshiba laptops and LED LCD HD television!  Details of the giveaway will be available on December 27, 2010 at www.ToshibaVision.com.

"There's nothing like New Year's Eve in Times Square and Toshiba America is thrilled to be an integral part of the festivities," said Eddie Temistokle, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications & CSR, Toshiba America, Inc. "We're looking forward to counting down to the new year with more revelers than ever before in history."

About Toshiba

Toshiba is a world leader and innovator in pioneering high technology, a diversified manufacturer and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products spanning digital consumer products; electronic devices and components; power systems, including nuclear energy; industrial and social infrastructure systems; and home appliances. Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 730 companies, with 204,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 6.2 trillion yen (US$75 billion). Visit Toshiba's web site at www.toshiba.com.

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 www.toshibavision.com

SOURCE Toshiba America Inc.