A CYBER-STAR IS BORN ON HALLOWEEN
SHO.com, STARBURST(R) Hard Candy Fly Columbus, Ohio Woman To NYC For Role In Online WhirlGirl Sci-Fi Series
(CPWIRE) NEW YORK -- Oct. 19, 1999 -- SHO.com, the Internet website of Showtime Networks Inc., and STARBURST(R) Hard Candy will make a cyber-star of a 20-year old Columbus, Ohio woman.
Rachel Mills of Columbus, OH, winner of the ''Win A Role On WhirlGirl Sweepstakes,'' and a friend will fly to New York City on Halloween weekend for an action-packed trip in which Mills will be transformed into an animated character that will be featured opposite cyber heroine Kia Cross in SHO.com`s animated Web episodic, WhirlGirl. Mills will also receive a year`s supply of STARBURST(R) Hard Candy.
''This is amazing,'' laughs Mills. ''I`ve never won anything in my life and suddenly I`m being transported to NYC for Halloween to be changed into a 21st century WhirlGirl cyber-star. And to top it off, they’re stuffing my trick or treat pumpkin with an entire year`s supply of STARBURST(R) Hard Candy!''
SHO.com will SHO-off Mill`s `virtual` acting skills by featuring her likeness and voice in a featured role in the special holiday episode of WhirlGirl, an animated weekly online science fiction series chronicling the adventures of Kia Cross (a.k.a. WhirlGirl), a brassy 20-something, 21st century super-heroine fighting to save the world from an evil, media-tech empire. This episode is scheduled to go online December 17, 1999 on SHO.com.
''SHO.com is aggressive in providing quality proprietary programming experiences for its users,'' says Tom Hayden, Senior VP of Strategy and Development for Showtime Networks Inc. ''To demonstrate our commitment to our online vision we not only launched the WhirlGirl sweepstakes and a million dollar national WhirlGirl advertising campaign, but WhirlGirl also featured an episode with guest stars Penn & Teller and sponsored the Details Hooked Up College Tour. In teaming with STARBURST(R) Hard Candy for the `Win a Role on WhirlGirl Sweepstakes` we are providing proof of concept that entertainment networks and consumer brands see Internet entertainment as one of the best new ways to reach a target audience.''
''STARBURST(R) Hard Candy is extremely pleased to partner with Showtime for this one-of-a-kind sweepstakes,'' says Mark Mattia, Senior Brand Manager for STARBURST(R). ''Both WhirlGirl and STARBURST(R) Hard Candy fans are on the cutting edge of entertainment and technology trends, so this sweepstakes was an ideal opportunity for both companies to broaden their reach.''
The ''Win a Role on WhirlGirl Sweepstakes'' yielded traffic numbers three times the regular WhirlGirl numbers supporting Hayden`s view that this online event would attract a large number of Generation Y consumers. Both SHO.com and STARBURST(R) Hard Candy have benefited from directly touching the audience through this unique programming experience.
WhirlGirl, Showtime Networks’ first series developed entirely on the Web, features the adventures of Kia Cross, a 21st century, 20-something, freedom fighter. As WhirlGirl, Kia reluctantly becomes the focal point of a revolution to liberate the virtual universe from a tyrannical media-tech empire called ZoneWerks. WhirlGirl faces her greatest challenge in balancing a ''normal'' love life and her role as a masked rebel leader. WhirlGirl debuted on SHO.com on February 26, 1999. New episodes are available on SHO.com every Friday at 1:00 PM (ET) at http://SHO.com. Each WhirlGirl episode features streaming animation using Macromedia Flash® technology. WhirlGirl is a production of Visionary Media LLC.
About SHO.com - SHO.com is the Internet website of Showtime Networks. Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., owns the premium television networks SHOWTIME, THE MOVIE CHANNEL and FLIX. SNI operates and manages the premium television network SUNDANCE CHANNEL, which is owned by SNI, Robert Redford and Universal Studios. SNI also markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis.
About STARBURST(R) Hard Candy - The new STARBURST(R) Hard Candy, rolled out in Spring 1999, is the sixth product to be introduced by the STARBURST(R) Brand. Continuing the Brand`s upbeat and energetic positioning, the disc-shaped hard candy is made with real fruit juice and imprinted with a raised ''S'' for STARBURST(R). Original STARBURST(R) Hard Candy will feature Cherry, Lemon, Green Apple, Orange and Strawberry. Tropical flavors include Tropical Punch, Kiwi Strawberry, Mango Melon, Strawberry Banana and Watermelon. Other STARBURST® products include Fruit Chews, Jellybeans, Fruit Twists, Candy Canes and Ice Bars. STARBURST® is a registered trademark of Mars, Incorporated. M&M;/Mars, a division of Mars, Incorporated, manufactures and distributes a variety of high quality snack food products.
About Visionary Media LLC - Based in New York`s `Silicon Alley,` Visionary Media LLC is a leader in the creative development of high-quality entertainment properties online.
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