SECAUCUS, N.J., May 8, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Panasonic today announced that it has been named the official battery supplier of the 2006 Dew Action Sports Tour, the premier professional action sports tour encompassing skateboarding, BMX and freestyle motocross that runs from June to October. As the tour's exclusive battery supplier, Panasonic will promote their flagship Oxyride Extreme Power battery -- a new, first-of-its-kind technology designed to power digital cameras and portable electronics.
Panasonic's Oxyride batteries will receive tour-wide marketing benefits, including television ads, print and online promotion, as well as on-site presence in the Panasonic Pavilion and through event signage and branding.
"We are proud to expand our multi-year relationship with Panasonic and name them the official battery supplier of the Dew Action Sports Tour," said Wade Martin, General Manager of the Dew Action Sports Tour. "This year's tour will kick off at the Panasonic Open in Louisville, Kentucky, where sports fanatics will find that Panasonic's Oxyride Extreme Power battery is the ideal energy source for portable electronics and fast-paced, digital lifestyles."
"Panasonic is excited to be part of the action as the top athletes from around the world return for the second season of the Dew Action Sports Tour," said Brian Kimberlin, Director, Panasonic North American Battery Business Unit. "Just as action sports require extreme power, tour fans will find extra juice for their digital electronics in Panasonic's Oxyride Extreme Power battery."
First introduced to U.S. consumers in July 2005, the Oxyride Extreme Power battery represents Panasonic's first major innovation in primary battery technology since their introduction of alkaline in 1965. Based on nickel oxyhydroxide (NiOOH) chemistry, Panasonic's Oxyride battery combines newly developed materials and an advanced manufacturing process to deliver improved power performance. Panasonic Oxyride batteries have been proven to deliver up to two times the amount of pictures in digital still cameras as their Alkaline Plus batteries, with a new and improved Oxyride battery coming in Spring 2006 to deliver as many as three times more pictures than alkaline. After eight years of research and development, Panasonic is proud to be the first to bring Oxyride technology to the U.S. market.
About Panasonic Batteries
A leading name in consumer electronics, Panasonic markets a wide range of high-quality, alkaline, lithium and rechargeable nickel-metal hydride batteries, as well as the new Oxyride Extreme Power batteries, for photo and consumer electronics. Panasonic consumer batteries are manufactured by Matsushita Battery Industrial Co., Ltd., and marketed in the United States by Panasonic Battery Corporation of America, Consumer Sales & Marketing Division. Matsushita Battery Industrial Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., is one of the world's leading full-range battery research and manufacturing companies. With 28 factories in 16 countries, including three in North America, and more than 70 years of experience in the battery marketplace, Matsushita Battery manufactures batteries for consumer, industrial and OEM use, and is committed to working in harmony with the global environment.
About Dew Action Sports Tour
Owned by NBC Universal and Live Nation, the Dew Action Sports Tour debuted in June 2005, and consists of five major, multi-sport events with a cumulative points system, the biggest competitive purse in action sports, and a $1 Million Bonus Pool based upon year-end standings. NBC and USA Network combine for exclusive Dew Action Sports Tour coverage with the largest combined network and cable commitment in action sports. The Dew Action Sports Tour's three sports include skateboarding (park and vert), BMX (park, vert, and dirt) and freestyle motocross. At season's end, the Tour awards champions in the six combined disciplines of skateboarding, BMX and freestyle motocross with the Dew Cup. Key lifestyle elements at each Tour event's festival village will include live cutting-edge music, video gaming and interactive events.