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CNNSI.com GROUP
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Sports Illustrated And IMG Partner With American General, Chrysler, Compaq and Motorola for Multi-million dollar Sponsorship of "Sports Illustrated's 20th Century Sports Awards" NEW YORK, October 25, 1999 -- American General, the Chrysler brand, Compaq Computer Corporation and Motorola Inc. have signed on as the official sponsors of what promises to be the ultimate sports media event of the century. The sponsors have committed to a multi-million dollar sponsorship package for "Sports Illustrated's 20th Century Sports Awards" which will be hosted by Bryant Gumbel and broadcast live on the CBS Television Network, Thursday, December 2 (9:00 - 11:00 p.m., ET) from Madison Square Garden. The two-hour awards spectacular will honor the greatest athletes of the past 100 years, as selected by Sports Illustrated editors, and will benefit sports and literacy programs at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Among the sports legends attending are Muhammad Ali, Arnold Palmer, Magic Johnson, Billie Jean King, Wayne Gretzky, Dick Butkus, Peggy Fleming, Bill Russell, Richard Petty and many, many more. "Sports Illustrated's 20th Century Sports Awards" is a product of Sports Illustrated and IMG. Each sponsorship of "Sports Illustrated's 20th Century Sports Awards" includes full-page advertisements in six walk-up issues of Sports Illustrated, which began in May and will conclude with the November 29 issue which previews the awards show. Each magazine in this in-depth retrospective series includes such rankings as Sports Illustrated's favorite athletes, dynasties, teams, venues, photos and games. Additionally, the multi-media packages include links to the official sponsors' web sites from "The Century's Best" page on CNNSI.com, commercial spots in the CBS primetime special, multiple billboards during the live telecast and pages in the commemorative awards program. Extending visibility, sponsors will be able to receive signage and promotional displays throughout Madison Square Garden during the event, as well as logo-inclusive presence in advertising and promotional materials. In addition to premium seats to the awards show, sponsors will also receive tickets to all VIP functions, including invitations to the Party of the Century, to be held prior to the awards show at the Madison Square Garden Rotunda. At this exclusive event, sponsors will get the chance to rub elbows with sports legends, as well as bid on rare sports memorabilia at a silent auction, which will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide. Tickets, which will include invitations to the exclusive pre-party, are valued at $1,500. "We are extremely excited to have secured such tremendous sponsorship commitments for 'Sports Illustrated's 20th Century Sports Awards,'" commented Michael J. Klingensmith, president of Sports Illustrated. "Our sponsors will be a part of what promises to be the ultimate sports media event." Thus far, some of the sponsors have extended their involvement in the awards show by running unique promotions in conjunction with their sponsorship. The Chrysler brand has created a photo exhibition, straight from the pages of Sports Illustrated's July 26 double-issue: The Century's Greatest Sports Photos. The exhibition will travel to 10 college football tailgate events and major malls across the country, ending with the awards gala at Madison Square Garden. Chrysler will also showcase its new PT Cruiser at the Garden that evening. Sports Illustrated, established in 1954 with a current readership of nearly 25 million, is published by Time Inc., the world's leading magazine publishing company and a subsidiary of Time Warner. The Sports Illustrated franchise also encompasses: SI Presents, the magazine's specialty publishing division; "SI Golf Plus," a selective editorial section; SI For Kids, a monthly magazine targeted to kids age 8 and up, "The SI For Kids Show" and the SI For Kids web site located at SIkids.com; Sports Illustrated For Women and its home on the World Wide Web at SIForWomen.com; CNN/Sports Illustrated, the 24-hour sports and news information network; CNNSI.com, SI's home on the World Wide Web; SI International, which develops international publishing ventures and explores opportunities to extend the SI brand globally; SI's worldwide Olympic sponsorship; and SI Development, which produces books, calendars and collectibles. "Sports Illustrated's 20th Century Sports Awards" is produced by TWI, IMG's television division. IMG is the largest sports marketing and management company in the world, with an international staff of 2,000 in 66 offices in 38 countries. TWI is the largest independent producer and distributor of televised sports in the world with production centers in New York, Hong Kong, London, New Delhi and 20 other global offices. Each year, TWI produces more than 5,000 hours of television programming of more than 240 sports in 200 territories around the world including its series, Trans World Sport, the most widely seen (138 countries) regularly scheduled sports program. In addition, TWI represents the television rights for numerous world-class sports properties, including the New York City Marathon and produces and distributes unique, made-for-television series and individual events. American General is one of the nation's largest diversified financial services organizations with assets of $110 billion and market capitalization of $17 billion. Headquarted in Houston, it is a leading provider of retirement services, investments, life insurance and consumer loans to over 12 million customers. American General common stock is listed on the New York, Pacific, London and Swiss stock exchanges. As a key brand in one of the world's leading automotive, transportation and service companies, the Chrysler brand continues to build on its reputation of design leadership and innovative engineering that is reflected in its products. Be it a sedan, coupe, convertible or minivan, the Chrysler brand's focus is to provide vehicles that deliver expressive, leading-edge design, agile handling and athletic performance that benefit the customer.Compaq Computer Corporation, (NYSE CPQ), a Fortune Global 100 company, is the second largest computer company in the world and the largest global supplier of computer systems. Compaq develops and markets hardware, software, solutions and services, including industry-leading enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, enterprise and network storage solutions, commercial desktop and portable products and consumer PCs. The company is an industry leader in environmentally friendly programs and business practices. Motorola Inc. is a global leader in providing integrated communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions, including software-enhanced wireless telephone, two-way radio, messaging and satellite communications products and systems, as well as networking and Internet-access products for consumers, network operators and commercial, government and industrial customers. Sales in 1998 were $29.4 billion. Boys & Girls Clubs of America comprises a national network of more than 2,300 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving some 3 million young people, primarily from disadvantaged circumstances. Known as "The Positive Place for Kids," Clubs provide guidance-oriented programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key programs emphasize character and leadership development, educational enhancement, career preparation, health and life skills, the arts and sports, fitness and recreation.
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