Mazdaspeed3 in Upcoming NFS Carbon

[Plex]

Unique marketing program

David Teichner, Chief Executive Officer of Channel M, the largest non-traditional media company in the world and leading provider of retail marketing services, announced today that the new MAZDASPEED3 will be part of a unique marketing program involving the much anticipated Electronic Arts video game Need for Speed� Carbon, available in stores across North America on November 1.

Challenged by Mazda�s marketing team to develop a fully integrated campaign, Channel M worked with all parties to create what is an extremely powerful and comprehensive campaign involving a sponsor and a videogame company. The MAZDASPEED3 will be integrated into the upcoming Need for Speed Carbon game and Channel M is spearheading a campaign to drive sales in GameStop and EB Games stores nationwide.

Components of Channel M�s unique campaign include; heavy Mazda in-game exposure, an in-store Need for Speed Carbon pre-order campaign in GameStop and EB Games stores providing consumers the opportunity to win great prizes including a MAZDASPEED3 car. In addition, there will be month long mall events in 16 markets where a car will be on display and consumers can compete in an organized tournament to win tickets to attend a party and compete in a final championship tournament in Las Vegas, where the winner will drive off in a new MAZDASPEED3 . For contest rules please consult www.mazdaspeed3.com

In-store and online media will support the program including custom spots and content to air on Channel M�s original hosted TV programs broadcast on GameStop and EB Games in-store TV networks nationwide, custom branded retail bags with artwork of the game and car, retail bag inserts, signage and online exposure. Channel M will also be filming some of the events and will be providing that video with other EA-generated in-game assets to be hosted on Mazda�s website for consumers to view.

David Teichner, CEO for Channel M stated, �Never has a campaign featured so many consumer touch points as this one. With significant in-game placement, in-store media, sweepstakes, cars in malls, tournaments in malls and a final event in Vegas, this is the most comprehensive videogame integration campaign yet created. I am thrilled that my team at Channel M has the opportunity to put this program together from its inception to execution. It�s a huge win for everyone involved and is truly a historic marketing campaign putting together four great names with our company, Mazda, GameStop, EB Games and EA.�

�The 263-hp, 155-mph MAZDASPEED3 kicks asphalt and takes names, and Need for Speed Carbon is the perfect way for us to bring this exciting new vehicle to market in an all-new way,� said Jim Jordan, Alternative Marketing Manager for Mazda North American Operations. �We already attract one of the youngest new-car buyers in the industry, and with the assistance of EA, Channel M and GameStop, we intend to continue that trend.�

�We�re excited to be a part of this unique promotion and thrilled to bring the MAZDASPEED3 to the Need for Speed franchise,� said Craig Rechenmacher, Senior Director of Marketing at EA. �Partnering with Channel M and GameStop will provide the perfect venue to showcase Need for Speed Carbon on the next generation platforms.�

�This relationship strategically leverages the physical store and online reach of the company�s 3,600 U.S. GameStop and EB Games stores, while providing an exciting new opportunity to reach gaming enthusiasts nationwide,� indicated Jack Beuttell, Senior Vice President of Marketing, GameStop Corp.

The all-new MAZDASPEED3 is one of the quickest and fastest front-wheel drive cars in the world. Based on the MAZDA3 5-door, the MAZDASPEED3 is a lightweight car with a big engine. It comes equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and a high performance MZR 2.3-liter direct-injected four-cylinder turbo engine producing 263-horsepower and 280 lb/ft of torque. All this power results in a 0-60 mph time well under six-seconds and pushes the MAZDASPEED3 to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

Developed by EA Black Box, Need for Speed Carbon delivers the next generation of adrenaline-filled street racing and will challenge the player to face the ultimate test of driving skill on treacherous canyon roads. Need for Speed Carbon will be available for Xbox 360� video game and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION�3 computer entertainment system, and Wii� as well as the PlayStation �2 computer entertainment system, Xbox � videogame system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube�, PC and mobile phones. Need for Speed Carbon Own the City will be available Nintendo DS�, Game Boy � Advance and PSP� (PlayStation�Portable) system.

Source: http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm/country/jcf/newsID/2061027.001/mazda/mazdaspeed3-in-upcoming-nfs-carbon