CHRYSLER BRAND LAUNCHES ALL NEW VIRTUAL FILM COMPETITION IN PARK CITY
Chrysler in The Movies: Virtual Film Competition Brings Together Gaming and Filmmaking by Inviting Gamers and Film Enthusiasts to Create Virtual Short Films Using Activision and Lionhead® Studios' "The Movies(TM)" PC game: Top Prize Includes Chrysler
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Jan. 16, 2006 - Continuing an ongoing commitment to inspiring creativity and innovation, Chrysler brand will launch "Chrysler in The Movies: Virtual Film Competition" (CiTM) during the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. In partnership with leading videogame company Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATVI - News), CiTM will provide an innovative approach to the filmmaking process by merging the worlds of filmmaking and gaming. The competition, open to everyone, will give players an opportunity to use their own inspiration to create virtual films using Activision and Lionhead® Studios' "The MoviesTM" Windows® PC game.
Filmmakers, celebrities, and consumers interested in participating in CiTM are invited to visit the Chrysler Studio, Jan. 20-23, at 333 Main St., Park City, UT. Participants will be able to create a movie, as well as have access to celebrity mentors and filmmaking symposiums sponsored by The Creative Coalition, a nonprofit, nonpartisan social and political advocacy organization of the entertainment industry.
Beginning January 20, 2006, aspiring filmmakers can enter the competition by creating a two to three-minute film that includes any of the new Chrysler vehicles - the Pacifica, the Crossfire, the Chrysler 300 and the PT Cruiser -- which have been exclusively integrated into "The MoviesTM" game. Contestants must submit their finished movies online at http://www.themoviesgame.com/filmcompetition by April 20, 2006. Each virtual film will be judged by a celebrity panel and the top ten films will be screened at a Virtual Film Premiere during the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2006 in May, where the first place winner will win a Chrysler Crossfire.
"Chrysler is a brand built on inspiration and innovation," said Jeff Bell, vice president, Chrysler. "We are excited to launch this new competition that will showcase the great lineup of Chrysler vehicles in a fun and engaging way, while providing an opportunity for players to show their own personal inspirations."
"The MoviesTM" videogame is gaining popularity around the world. Over 41,000 movies have been uploaded to Activision's online community from 11 countries, while nearly 220,000 votes have been cast.
"Activision is thrilled to be a part of the Chrysler in The Movies: Virtual Film Competition," said Dave Anderson, senior director of business development, Activision, Inc. "'The Movies' is the most comprehensive Hollywood experience ever and we're excited to bring it to aspiring filmmakers and consumers. Whether it's running a studio or creating movie masterpieces, 'The Movies' game inspires creativity and delivers something for everyone who has ever dreamt of making it in Hollywood."
For additional information about the game and contest, please visit http://www.themoviesgame.com.
Visit DaimlerChrysler's Media Services Web site at http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com for additional DaimlerChrysler news.
About DaimlerChrysler
The Chrysler Group, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., produces Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Mopar® brand vehicles and products. The company increased worldwide annual sales in 2005 by five percent to 2.83 million vehicles, making the Chrysler Group the only North American-based automaker to achieve a sales increase last year. Its product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, the Jeep Commander, and the Dodge Charger. The DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund, the Company's philanthropic arm, gave $26 million in grants in 2005. The Chrysler Group is a unit of DaimlerChrysler AG, the world's fifth largest automaker, which produces passenger and commercial vehicles including the Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, smart and Freightliner brands.
About Activision
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $1.4 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005.
Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Australia, Scandinavia, Spain and the Netherlands. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site, which is located at www.activision.com.
About Lionhead Studios
Lionhead Studios is based in Guildford, Great Britain, and was founded in 1997. The company's first game, "Black & White" for PC, was released in 2001, and worldwide sales of it have topped 2 million copies. Its second game, "Fable" for Xbox, has sold more than 2 million copies worldwide, and the numbers continue to climb, making it one of the top-selling Xbox titles of all time. Three further titles Fable: The Lost Chapters, Black & White 2 and The Movies, have all been released on PC this fall. For more information about Lionhead Studios, visit http://www.lionhead.com.
About The Creative Coalition
The Creative Coalition (TCC) is the premier nonprofit, nonpartisan social and political advocacy organization of the entertainment industry. Founded in 1989 by prominent figures in the creative community, including actors Alec Baldwin, Ron Silver, Christopher Reeve, Susan Sarandon, Blair Brown and Stephen Collins, TCC educates and mobilizes leaders in the arts community on issues of public importance, specifically in the areas of First Amendment rights, arts advocacy and public education.
For more information, please contact:
For Chrysler Film Project:
The Rose Group, (310) 280-3710
Jeff Rose, Jeff@TheRoseGrp.com; Andrea Tagliareni, Andrea@TheRoseGrp.com; David Glaubke David@TheRoseGrp.com
For Chrysler Group:
Suraya E. DaSante
Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge Brands, Chrysler Group
(248) 512-4889; sd114@dcx.com
For Activision, Inc.:
Ryh-Ming C. Poon
Senior PR Manager, Activision Games
(310) 255-2226; rpoon@activision.com