ATLANTA, GA--(Marketwire - September 23, 2010) -
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Comprehensive U.S. Sharp Brand campaign leaps off the screen with images from the summer blockbuster 3D movie "Despicable Me"
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Highlights launch of new AQUOS® 3D LED LCD TV Series -- LE925 -- combining the game-changing Quattron™ quad pixel technology with 3D technology
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Fully integrated marketing campaign offers bonus "Despicable Me" Blu-ray 3D Disc™ with purchase of a qualifying* Sharp AQUOS Quattron TV or Blu-ray Disc™ Player
Sharp Electronics Corporation, the U.S. sales and marketing subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, Osaka, Japan, today announces a new phase of its "See it to see it" brand advertising campaign that debuted earlier this year in support of the Quattron quad pixel AQUOS LED LCD TVs. Sharp is teaming with "Despicable Me" filmmaker Chris Meledandri's Illumination Entertainment and Universal Studios Home Entertainment to unveil the new 3D version of Quattron TV (model LE925), bringing TV viewers the brightest 3D imagery on the market with never-before-seen colors that immerse the consumer in a new level of entertainment. Sharp is Universal's exclusive consumer electronics flat-panel display and Blu-ray Disc™ player teammate for the "Despicable Me" Blu-ray 3D Disc™. "Despicable Me" will be available on Blu-ray and DVD as well as on Blu-ray 3D at retail stores nationwide on December 14, 2010.
"We're working with Universal to bring our Quattron 3D TVs to life, showcasing the hugely popular Minions from 'Despicable Me' in a new brand campaign that urges consumers to see the technology for themselves," said Bob Scaglione, senior vice president and group manager, Product and Marketing Group, Sharp Electronics Marketing Company of America. "We believe that we've truly changed the color paradigm with Quattron quad pixel technology, giving TV lovers remarkable and almost dreamlike colors. Quattron technology is the perfect complement to 3D technology, enabling bright and vivid images that have eluded 3DTVs in the past."
"We're thrilled to pair the box office-blockbuster 'Despicable Me' with the introduction of Sharp's groundbreaking 3D Quattron TV," said Craig Kornblau, President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. "3D Blu-ray has completely redefined the home viewing experience, representing the most superior technology available in home entertainment today. This promotion combines this breakthrough medium with one of the most creatively brilliant films of the year. We're extremely pleased that purchasers of the AQUOS® LE925 will have an opportunity to enjoy 'Despicable Me' in the richest and most vibrant home theater offering this holiday season."
Continuing the "see it to see it" theme, this campaign features George Takei's Sharp TV engineer character demonstrating Quattron technology's color superiority. In the commercial, Takei exclaims that Quattron technology combined with 3D technology creates such an experience that "you won't believe your eyes." The broadcast commercial, as well as the print and online creative, drive home how Sharp's proprietary Quattron quad pixel technology produces the most realistic 3D TV images and superb picture quality. Reinforcing the 3D messaging, the instantly recognizable characters known as "Minions" from Universal Pictures' film "Despicable Me" appear to be jumping out of the Sharp television, adding color and character to help demonstrate Quattron's 3D prowess.
The campaign kicks off on September 23, 2010, with national broadcast and cable television, as well as print advertising in major newspapers including the Wall Street Journal and USA Today. An online component includes displays on sites such as CNET, BestBuy.com and others. Sharp also supports the campaign via the Sharp global web site, www.AQUOS-world.com, and on sharpusa.com/AQUOS which further showcases the new technology.
The AQUOS Quattron and "Despicable Me" Minions motifs will be used promotionally at trade shows and in marketing collateral available at retail. The Blu-ray 3D movie will be available for use by Sharp retailers and presented on the AQUOS Experience tour, a 52 foot tractor trailer decked out with scores of AQUOS LED TVs in different screen sizes. The tour travels to different retailers and major sporting events around the country. Additionally, consumers who purchase a qualifying* Sharp AQUOS Quattron TV or Blu-ray Disc™ player between November 22, 2010 and February 6, 2011, will receive a coupon to redeem a 3D bonus copy of "Despicable Me" on Blu-ray (which also includes a 2D version of the film).
Sharp AQUOS Quattron 3D LED LCD TV Series
Sharp's first two 3D LED LCD TV models, the AQUOS Quattron LC-60LE925UN (60-inch screen size class) and LC-52LE925UN (52-inch screen size class), greatly improve the 3D experience with the brightest image reproduction on the market (with glasses) and exceptional clarity. These ENERGY STAR® Version 5.1 models build on Sharp's breakthrough Quattron quad pixel technology with additional proprietary technologies, including X-Gen LCD panel, Frame Rate Enhanced Driving and backlight side-mount scanning, to deliver a market-leading dynamic contrast ratio of 8,000,000:1. In addition, three 3D Surround Sound modes complete the immersive experience when viewing concerts, movies, sports or any 3D programming. The 925 Series also integrates Sharp's AQUOS Net™ Service with access to Netflix® and VUDU® streaming video, AQUOS Net widgets and AQUOS Advantage Live(SM), the industry's leading online support system.
Enabling users to start experiencing and sharing the 3D experience immediately, each model in the 925 Series is sold with two pairs of advanced 3D glasses. These are the only glasses on the market that give viewers the option of watching the same content in 3D or 2D simultaneously, which can be adjusted using the 3D-2D conversion buttons on the glasses.
For more information on Sharp's full line of LCD TVs, contact Sharp Electronics Corporation, Sharp Plaza, Mahwah, N.J., 07495-1163, or call 800-BE-SHARP. For online product information, visit Sharp's Web site at sharpusa.com. Become a fan of Sharp AQUOS at www.facebook.com/SharpAQUOS, follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/Sharp_USA and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/sharpelectronicsusa
Sharp Electronics Corporation is the U.S. subsidiary of Japan's Sharp Corporation, a worldwide developer of one-of-a-kind home entertainment products, appliances, networked multifunctional office solutions, solar energy solutions and mobile communication and information tools. Leading brands include AQUOS® Liquid Crystal Televisions, 1-Bit™ digital audio products, SharpVision® projection products, Notevision® multimedia projectors, Insight® Microwave Drawer appliances, SuperSteam™ ovens, Plasmacluster® air purifiers and the OnEnergy™ solar system. For more information visit Sharp Electronics Corporation at www.sharpusa.com
Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% owned by Vivendi.
* Product must be purchased between November 22, 2010 and March 31, 2011; qualifying models:
- LC-60LE925UN
- LC-52LE925UN
- BD-HP90U
- BD-HP80U
Sharp, AQUOS and AQUOS NET are registered trademarks of Sharp Corporation
Blu-ray Disc is a trademark of the Blu-ray Disc Association.
ENERGY STAR is a registered trademark of the Environmental Protection Agency
All other trademarks are property of their respective owners
Contact Information:
CONTACT:
Doug Wright
Crenshaw Communications
Phone: 646-484-4503
E-mail: doug@crenshawcomm.com
www.crenshawcomm.com
Chris Loncto
Sharp Electronics Corporation
Phone: 201-529-8680
E-mail: lonctoc@sharpsec.com