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NBC UNIVERSAL LAUNCHES GLOBAL PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN WITH 'HEROES WORLD TOUR' CO-SPONSORED BY NISSAN
"Heroes" Will Celebrate Its Extraordinary Domestic and International
Success by Sending Cast to Seven Cities to Promote the August 28 DVD
and HD DVD Release of "Heroes Season One" and the Beginning of Its
Second Season
BURBANK, Calif. - June 21, 2007 - NBC Universal flexes its
collective muscles as part of an ambitious company-wide initiative to
showcase NBC's hit series "Heroes" with the "Heroes World Tour," which
will kick off the Heroes: Season One DVD and HD DVD release in domestic
and international markets and feature the cast on a personal tour as
production resumes on the drama's second season. The news follows last
week's announcement that unveiled a multi-faceted, 360-degree marketing
campaign shared by Nissan and NBC on behalf of "Heroes."
The announcement was made today by John Miller, Chief Marketing
Officer, NBC Universal Television Group and President, The NBC Agency.
"This challenging, multi-dimensional venture is a full-throttle
effort to utilize all the assets afforded by NBC Universal with a true
global vision," said Miller. "It is only fitting that this worldwide
marketing adventure be centered on an epic series such as 'Heroes,'
which is ready to take the world by storm, both literally and
creatively."
"We are thrilled to be embarking on this exciting venture," said
Tim Kring, creator and executive producer of "Heroes," who will be
joining fellow executive producer Dennis Hammer on the world tour. "The
theme of 'Heroes' has been about people from all over the planet coming
together to do great things. About making the world a smaller, more
inter-connected place. This tour is the embodiment of those ideals.
Clearly, the show has struck a real chord with people around the world,
creating a huge fan base. We're eager to visit these fans and spread
the word about the show."
"Heroes" will be propelled into stores on August 28 for the DVD and
HD-DVD launch of its heroic first season in an elaborate seven disc set
loaded with bonus features, including 50 deleted scenes and the never
aired 73 minute premiere episode. In late August, cast members will
continue the "Heroes World Tour" with personal appearances in various
countries. Members of the "Heroes" cast who will participate in the
tour include: Santiago Cabrera (Isaac), Jack Coleman (Horn-Rimmed
Glasses), Noah Gray-Cabey (Micah), Greg Grunberg (Matt), Ali Larter
(Niki), James Kyson Lee (Ando), Masi Oka (Hiro), Hayden Panettiere
(Claire), Sendhil Ramamurthy (Mohinder), Zachary Quinto (Sylar), Adrian
Pasdar (Nathan), and Milo Ventimiglia (Peter).
These cast members will travel to a variety of international
destinations, including the following cities: Tokyo, Hong Kong,
Singapore, Munich, Paris, London and New York City, as well as further
stops yet to be announced.
Those actors on the North American leg of the tour will be at the
NBC Experience Store in New York City on August 28 to participate in
signings of DVDs and other merchandise on the floor.
On the international front, "Heroes" has so far been licensed in
nearly 150 territories and began launching with great success in
markets across the globe beginning in January 2007. In Australia, it
premiered on the Seven network as the #1 program of the day among
programs on all channels -- and produced the largest premiere audience
in Australia since "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives" in 2005.
In the United Kingdom, it delivered the largest audience ever in
SCI FI UK's history and is gearing up for its launch on BBC Two this
summer. In Spain, "Heroes" delivered the #1 and #2 highest-rated
telecasts in the history of SCI FI Spain, and also ranks as the #1
telecast so far in 2007 of any U.S. series on the FORTA regional
channels Canal 2 (Andalusia), TV3 (Catalonia), Telemadrid (Madrid) and
Canal 9 (Valencia). "Heroes" secured another #1 milestone in Singapore
as the #1 program of the day on Star World versus all entertainment
channels in the territory. Similar success was found in New Zealand,
where the series was TV3's highest rated program of the entire week,
and Latin America also saw significant time period wins in Brazil,
Mexico, Chile and Colombia. Upcoming international premiere launches
include Germany and France, with additional territories to be
announced. "Heroes" is distributed outside of the U.S.and Canada by NBC
Universal International Television Distribution.
In addition, NBC.com will be the online destination for fans
following the "Heroes" adventure as the cast and producers travel the
world. The "Heroes World Tour" site (NBC.com/Heroesworldtour) will
include photos and video from each international location, as well as
vlogs and personal photos from the actors in each city. Fans from
around the world can also upload their photos from the events, uniting
the online community for a shared global experience. About 20 percent
of traffic to NBC.com/Heroes during the regular season came from
international countries.
The encompassing "Heroes" campaign also includes Universal Studios
Consumer Products Group, which is pursuing licensing partners both
domestically and internationally across all categories, including, but
not limited to apparel, accessories, collectibles, publishing and toys.
Select product will begin entering the retail marketplace in Fall 2007.
Earlier this month, Nissan and NBC announced a wide-ranging, robust
marketing program for the second season of "Heroes," encompassing
product integration, off-channel platforms, wireless applications,
traditional television advertising and significant on-air and online
sponsorships.
In the one-of-a-kind deal, Nissan will use "Heroes" as the central
hub of a multi-pronged marketing campaign for the launch of its new
crossover vehicle, the Nissan Rogue. The effort will kick off with
Nissan sponsoring the world tour in mid-August.
"Heroes" was the #1 first-year series of the 2006-07 television
season in all key ratings categories (including a tie for #1 among
women 18-34) and is NBC's top new drama in 12 years. "Heroes" finished
the season as the #2 scripted series on all of network television among
men 18-34 and men 18-49.
From creator/writer Tim Kring (NBC's "Crossing Jordan") comes the
Golden Globe nominated "Heroes," an epic drama that chronicles the
lives of ordinary people who discover they possess extraordinary
abilities. "Heroes" has been honored recently with a People's Choice
Award, an AFI Award and a Multicultural Prism Award, as well as
nominations at the Golden Globe Awards, NAACP Image Awards, WGA Awards
and Satellite Awards. As a total eclipse casts its shadow across the
globe, a genetics professor (Sendhil Ramamurthy, "Blind Guy Driving")
in India is led by his father's mysterious murder to uncover a secret
theory -- there are people with super powers living among us. A young
dreamer (Milo Ventimiglia, "Gilmore Girls") tries to convince his
politician brother (Adrian Pasdar, "Judging Amy") that he can fly. A
high school cheerleader (Hayden Panettiere, "Ice Princess") learns that
she is totally indestructible while trying to relate to her father
(Jack Coleman, "Dynasty") who has a keen interest in people with
special abilities. A Las Vegas single mother (Ali Larter, "Final
Destination") struggles to make ends meet to support her young son
(Noah Gray-Cabey, "My Wife & Kids") and discovers that her mirror
image has a secret. A fugitive from justice (Leonard Roberts, "Buffy
the Vampire Slayer") continues to baffle authorities who twice have
been unable to contain him. A gifted artist (Santiago Cabrera,
"Empire"), whose drug addiction is destroying his life and relationship
with his girlfriend (Tawny Cypress, NBC's "Third Watch"), can paint the
future. A down-on-his-luck Los Angeles beat cop (Greg Grunberg,
"Alias") can hear people's thoughts, which puts him on the trail of an
elusive serial killer. In Japan, a young man (Masi Oka, NBC's "Scrubs")
develops a way to stop time through sheer will power. Their ultimate
destiny is nothing less than saving the world. Joining Kring as
executive producer are Dennis Hammer (NBC's "Crossing Jordan"), Allan
Arkush (NBC's "Crossing Jordan") and Greg Beeman ("Smallville"). The
drama is produced by Universal Media Studios in association with
Tailwind Productions.
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