VIZIO Announces 7th Annual "Top Value Performer" Award Finalists and Encourages Fans to Support Their Favorite Player By Voting and Sounding-Off on Social Media

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- VIZIO, America's #1 large size LCD TV company¹, today announced candidates for its annual VIZIO Top Value Performer award.  For the seventh consecutive year, the VIZIO Top Value Performer (TVP) award aims to recognize the professional football player whose on-field performance exceeds expectations and the value of their annual base salary.  This year's TVP candidates include Denver's Julius Thomas, Chicago's Alshon Jeffery, St. Louis' Zac Stacy, Cincinnati's Giovani Bernard and, back to defend his title, 2012 VIZIO Top Value Performer, Seattle's Russell Wilson.

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Partnering with former general manager, current pro-football analyst and commentator Charley Casserly, VIZIO determined this year's top five candidates based on their regular season performances, statistics and the role they've played in the success of their respective teams.  These factors were measured against their base salaries to nominate this year's finalists. 

Similar to the 2013 TVP candidates, VIZIO has established itself as one of America's leading consumer electronics brands. Currently ranked the #1 large size HDTV¹, #1 sound bar² and #1 smart TV³ company, VIZIO has continued to maximize value for consumers while raising standards of quality, design, performance and customer service.

"We're thrilled to launch our seventh annual Top Value Performer program and announce this year's line-up of candidates," said Lily Knowles, Vice President of Product Marketing, VIZIO. "The select group of players are not only a talented crop, but arguably the most collectively dominant group we've seen to date.  We're always amazed at the creative lengths nominees go to on their social networks to drive fan votes and we look forward to more spirited efforts over the weeks to come."  

VIZIO is calling on fans from coast-to-coast to choose the 2013 Top Value Performer by voting online at VIZIO.com/TVP or through their social channels by using each player's custom hashtag from now until January 17^th.  For additional insight, fans can view Casserly's take on each candidate on the site prior to casting their votes.  Members of VIZIO's online social community – VIZIO Fandemonium – will earn points redeemable for unique prizes like signed memorabilia, VIZIO products, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, M-GO™, Netflix and Pandora One subscriptions, and unique once-in-a-lifetime fan experiences each time they vote.  VIZIO will announce this year's TVP winner in the weeks following the close of voting.

The 2013 VIZIO Top Value Performer finalists include:

Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) – Seattle, Quarterback #3 – #TVPRussellWilson
Despite his standout performance at Wisconsin, Wilson's 2012 draft stock dropped to the third round. After winning the starting job in 2012, Wilson was named last year's Rookie of the Year and was voted by the fans as the 2012 VIZIO Top Value Performer. With another outstanding season and the first-ever returning TVP candidate, Wilson has earned the right to defend his title with his 2013 base salary of less than $550,000.

Julius Thomas (@Julius_Thomas) – Denver, Tight End #80 – #TVPJuliusThomas
A pure athlete, Thomas set numerous Portland State basketball records and led his team to back-to-back tournament appearances before ever playing a snap of collegiate football. Thomas has emerged as a key asset in arguably the league's most high-powered offense. Limited in his first two seasons because of injury, the third time is truly a charm for Thomas, as he's become a league-leader in receiving touchdowns while hauling in a base salary of $555,000. 

Alshon Jeffery (@AJJeffery1) – Chicago, Wide Receiver #17 – #TVPAlshonJeffery
Jeffery has been a valuable player at every level of competition – from his 80–0 undefeated high school basketball career, where he won four state titles, to his time at University of South Carolina where he set receiving records. Jeffery has solidified himself as a key weapon and counterpart to Chicago's standout receiver. He has built a great rapport with his quarterback and broke his own franchise single–game, receiving record. He's bringing in a 2013 base salary of nearly $600,000.

Zac Stacy (@ZSTACY_) – St. Louis, Running Back #30 – #TVPZacStacy
An under-the-radar player, Stacy was deep in the stable of St. Louis running backs before being called upon in week five against Jacksonville. A strong showing morphed the fifth round rookie from Vanderbilt into the team's most consistent offensive weapon this season.  Stacy is earning a base salary of $405,000 for this year.

Giovani Bernard (@G_Bernard25) – Cincinnati, Running Back #25 – #TVPGiovaniBernard
With an ability to elude defenders twice his size, the small, shifty rookie out of Chapel Hill, NC has helped turn Cincinnati into an offensive powerhouse. At his best when the lights are brightest, Bernard's strongest performances have come during primetime games, on a Monday night with two scores over Pittsburgh and on a Thursday night with electrifying runs against Miami. Bernard earned $405,000 in base salary for the 2013 season.

Previous TVP winners include Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard (2007), New England quarterback Matt Cassel (2008), New York wide receiver Steve Smith (2009) Buffalo wide receiver Stevie Johnson (2010) and New York wide receiver Victor Cruz (2011).  Last year's honors went to Seattle rookie quarterback Russell Wilson (2012) who, still under his rookie contract this year, is up to defend his Top Value Performer honors.

¹ The NPD Group / Weekly Tracking Service, Large Size includes 60"+, Q2 2013 units sold.
² The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, Q1 2013
³ The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, Q2 2013 LED TV units with Apps included

About VIZIO

VIZIO, Inc. is headquartered in Irvine, California. In Q2 2007, VIZIO skyrocketed to the top by becoming the #1 shipping brand of flat panel HDTVs in North America and in Q3 2007 became the first American brand in over a decade to lead in North American LCD HDTV shipments. VIZIO was #1 in North America LCD for 2010¹. VIZIO is now also America's #1 Smart TV⁵ and large size LCD company² as the leading seller of 60" and larger HDTVs in the U.S. with 30% of the market in this class². VIZIO was the #1 Sound Bar Company in the U.S. for Q1 2013⁴ For over a decade, VIZIO has remained committed to what it does best -- focus on the consumer to deliver visionary products at a great value. VIZIO offers a broad range of award winning consumer electronics that now include PCs and mobility products.  VIZIO's products are found at Amazon, Best Buy, BJ's Wholesale, Costco Wholesale, Sam's Club, Target, Walmart and other retailers nationwide. VIZIO has won numerous awards including a #1 ranking in the Inc. 500 for Top Companies in Computers and Electronics and made the lists of Ad Age's Hottest Brands, CNET's Editor's Choice, CNET Best of CES 2011 - Television, CNET Best of CES 2013 – Home Theater and Audio, Home Theater Magazine's Top Picks, Good Housekeeping's Best Big-Screens, PC World's Best Buy and Popular Mechanics Editor's Choice among many other prestigious honors including "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with HDTVs Less Than 50 Inches in a Tie" from J.D. Power⁶. For more information, please call 888-VIZIOCE or visit www.VIZIO.com.

¹ DisplaySearch Market Tracker Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report.
² The NPD Group / Weekly Tracking Service, Large Size includes 60"+, Q2 2013 units sold.
³ The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, Q2 2013 LED TV units with Apps included.
⁴ The NPD Group / Retail Monthly Tracking Service, units sold, Q1 2013.
⁵ The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, Q2 2013 LED TV units with Apps included.
⁶ J.D. Power 2013 High Definition Television (HDTV) Satisfaction Report^SM. 

SOURCE VIZIO, Inc.