USA Network and Capital One Partner on Second Season of Hit Series "Covert Affairs"

NEW YORK, July 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- USA Network and Capital One announced today the next chapter in their long history of partnerships, this time focused on promoting the Capital One Venture Card during the second season of USA's hit series COVERT AFFAIRS.  USA is integrating Capital One's brand on-air and in original digital content. The on-air offering includes a sponsorship of two custom Character Builder vignettes featuring Christopher Gorham (who plays Auggie Anderson) and Sendhil Ramamurthy (who plays Jai Wilcox) speaking to the world in which their CIA characters work and play.  The online extension features a digital hub in which USA provides fans with a centralized place to not only interact with the program, but learn more about what they need for their own spy travel.

"As viewing habits continue to fragment, USA is constantly innovating new ways for our partners to engage with our series and fans across multiple screens," said Alexandra Shapiro, senior vice president, brand marketing and digital, USA. "Capital One's Venture Card double miles theme and promotions dovetail perfectly with both the viewing habits of our audience as well as our globe-trotting COVERT AFFAIRS agents who film on location through the globe."

"We are excited about working with USA and COVERT AFFAIRS as we have found the perfect way to illustrate the benefits of the Capital One Venture Card," said Marc Mentry, managing vice president, advertising and sponsorships for Capital One. "In fact, Auggie Anderson and Jai Wilcox both exemplify the perfect travel experts, who like our card members, are never barred by blackout dates or expirations."

The Character Builder vignettes are also featured within The Spy's Guide to Travel, created and designed specifically for Capital One.  The section features travel tips, must-have accessories and vacation destinations that only a spy would love as well as vital necessities such as the best credit card to have in your wallet: Capital One's Venture Card.  Located on usanetwork.com, The Spy's Guide to Travel will inform and reward fans with double points that can be redeemed for real and virtual prizes in COVERT AFFAIRS' popular online affinity program, Covert Operatives.  There is also a co-branded canvas element with video and links back to the customized elements.

Beginning Tuesday, June 28 (and continuing through the remainder of the season), Capital One and USA invited viewers to join the online conversation through Character Chatter, USA's innovative social platform that funnels live feeds from all social communication portals, and streams them online during the original episode.

The marketing campaign culminates with Capital One's sponsorship of the COVERT AFFAIRS summer season finale on Tuesday, August 9, when Capital One will be the exclusive financial category marketing partner for the concluding episode.

The sophomore season of COVERT AFFAIRS stars Golden Globe®-nominated Piper Perabo as Annie Walker, a young CIA operative whose exceptional linguistic skills make her invaluable to the Agency in missions that span the globe. While she's quickly becoming a seasoned field operative, Annie's career continues to intrude on her personal life as she strives to balance a "pseudo-normal" life with her high-octane adventures as a covert operative. The series also stars Christopher Gorham, Peter Gallagher, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Kari Matchett and Anne Dudek. From Universal Cable Productions, COVERT AFFAIRS is executive produced by Doug Liman and David Bartis through Hypnotic and written and executive produced by Matt Corman and Chris Ord.

USA Network is the #1 network in all of basic cable and is seen in over 102 million U.S. homes.  A division of NBCUniversal, USA is the cable television leader in original series and home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, acquired television series and entertainment events. The award-winning USA website is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.

USA Network is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable a division of NBCUniversal, 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.

SOURCE USA Network