Press Release: Sega Sponsors MTV Video Music Awards
From Videogame Morgue File
Sega Sponsors MTV Video Music Awards[edit]
Gaming company to introduce SegaNet and new ad campaign to 22 million viewers. Sega's newest brand icon to appear in show's Promotions
San Francisco (August 21, 2000) - Sega of America today announced their second consecutive commitment to be a title sponsor for the MTV Video Music Awards and will launch a new ad campaign to support SegaNet, the only high-speed online gaming network and ISP service. The VMAs, which air live on September 7, 2000, will mark Sega's kick-off multi-million marketing and advertising campaign to support this unprecedented online gaming service. In addition, Ulala, the dancing sensation from the hit Sega game Space Channel 5 will be presenting the best dance video category in 50 spots that will air from now until September 7, 2000. "We introduced Dreamcast last year during the VMAs, which became the most successful product launch in entertainment retail history," says Joe Culley, vice president of marketing for Sega of America. "This year we'll use this show to introduce an audience of 22 million to SegaNet, a gaming network that is going to redefine the industry. We're delivering on our promise to take video gaming to the next level, which is through online game play." The SegaNet advertising campaign is designed to appeal to the competitive nature of gamers who can now play opponents across the street or across the country through the Internet. Sega will debut one 60-second spot and two 30-second spots during the broadcast. In addition, Ulala, the dancing sensation from the popular Sega game Space Channel 5 will promote the show by introducing the best dance video category in 50 spots featuring Gomi's Lair Remix, the hit single from the Tommy Boy Silver Label: Space Channel 5 Mexican Flyer CD. These promotions will air from now until September 7. Since the release of Space Channel 5 in June, this super-sexy alien crime fighter has graced hundreds of magazine pages and airwaves. The "2000 MTV Video Music Awards" will feature performances from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, DMX, Blink 182, Janet Jackson, N*SYNC, Eminem, Britney Spears and Rage Against the Machine. Hosted by the Wayans brothers, Shawn and Marlon, the "2000 MTV Video Music Awards" will broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Thursday, September 7 at 8:00PM (ET).
