Nissan Heisman House Returns For A Third College Football Season On ESPN

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third straight year, Nissan and ESPN are giving viewers the chance to imagine what it might be like if the winners of college football's highest individual honor – the Heisman Trophy – lived together in the same house. The Nissan Heisman House returns in time for the start of the college football season and stars 13 Heisman trophy winners, an interactive website and a real-life Heisman House Tour that will travel to college campuses throughout the season. The website and vignettes debut on August 31 prior to ESPN's Saturday Night Football game on ABC, followed by other ESPN platforms throughout the season.

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

The Heisman House supports Nissan's long-running sponsorship of the Heisman Memorial Trophy Award. Developed in collaboration with TBWA\Chiat\Day, OMD and ESPN's in-house creative team, CreativeWorks, the concept revolves around the online platform, www.NissanHeismanHouse.com, where fans can vote for the next Heisman Trophy winner. 

Visitors can once again tour the house, learn about current members and watch behind-the-scenes footage and interviews filmed during the campaign production. Eight of Nissan's highest rated vehicles, including the 2014 Altima, Sentra and the all-new Versa Note, are integrated into the site and the campaign. 

"This year we've added some entertaining new elements as we begin another exciting season in support of the good works of the Heisman Trophy Trust," said Jon Brancheau, vice president, Marketing, Nissan North America, Inc. "With the online voting for this season's top Heisman candidates, combined with the fun of seeing past Heisman winners interact with each other, we're going to capture the attention of sports fans across the country."

In addition to the website, the campaign will present six vignettes directed by award-winning director Erich Joiner. This season's Heisman House features returning members Robert Griffin III, Barry Sanders, Ty Detmer, Ron Dayne, Matt Leinart, Troy Smith, Tim Brown, Carson Palmer and Desmond Howard. This year's spots introduce newcomers Sam Bradford, Earl Campbell, Tony Dorsett and Mike Rozier to the roster of housemates. Each unique ad, filmed in Pasadena, Calif., depicts what life might be like if several Heisman trophy-winning players shared a house. From lingering rivalries to generational misunderstandings, each spot explores a different, comical aspect of the fictitious scenario.

"The sustainability of the original concept with fresh scripts, new athletes and ability to the showcase new vehicles year over year is a tremendous creative story, which is a testament to the power of the idea," said Sean Hanrahan, senior vice president, Marketing Solutions, ESPN.

For the first time in the history of the initiative, Nissan and ESPN are introducing the Nissan Heisman House Tour, a simulated Heisman House that will travel to different college campuses throughout the country, leading up to the 2013 Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO. Fans will have the opportunity to relax in the Heisman House living room, take photos with the trophy and meet some of the Heisman trophy winners and ESPN talent.

About Nissan 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 and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 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, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 236,000 employees globally, Nissan sold more than 4.9 million vehicles and generated revenue of 9.6 trillion yen (USD 116.16 billion) in fiscal 2012. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of over 60 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history.

For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

About ESPN
ESPN, Inc., is the world's leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring a portfolio of more than 50 multimedia sports assets. The company is comprised of seven U.S. 24-hour television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, ESPN Classic, ESPN Deportes and Longhorn Network) and five HD simulcast services (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS and ESPN Deportes). Other businesses include ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International (35 networks, syndication, radio, digital), ESPN Radio (broadcast, satellite, digital, a growing category led by ScoreCenter), ESPN.com (plus a variety of sport-, college-, and market-specific sites), ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Enterprises and espnW.  Multi-screen offerings include WatchESPN (access to several ESPN networks online and via an app), ESPN3 (live multi-screen network available online, on the go and via Xbox LIVE) and ESPN Mobile (mobile Web, mobile TV and video, apps, alerts and messaging).  Based in Bristol, Conn., ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.

About the Heisman Trophy Trust
The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player in the United States. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work. The Heisman Trophy Trust ensures the continuation and integrity of this award. The Trust, furthermore, has a charitable mission to support amateur athletes and to provide greater opportunities to the youth of our country. Our goal through these charitable endeavors is for The Heisman Trophy to symbolize the fostering of a sense of community responsibility and service to our youth, especially those disadvantaged or afflicted.

SOURCE Nissan Americas