Nissan GT Academy is back for a second season, seeking to determine which of America’s best Gran Turismo® video gamers has what it takes to become a professional racing driver.nnNissan North America, in collaboration with Sony Computer Entertainment America and Polyphony Digital, is announcing the first of six episodes to air on SPIKE TV beginning Thursday, November 1 at 11:30 p.m. Eastern/10.30 p.m. Central. The remaining episodes will air at the same time each Thursday night and will be available on the Nissan YouTube channel the following Monday. GT Academy will also be screened on MTV2, one week after the original airdate on SPIKE TV. For a preview, visit the GT Academy web site, GTAcademy.com.nnIn July, after three months of online competition, the top 32 out of 400,000 registered Gran Turismo online gamers, met at Comic-Con in San Diego to determine the 16 finalists for GT Academy. Over two days of virtual racing competition on identical gaming sleds, the fastest 16 were invited to the legendary Silverstone Racing complex in England to begin an intense boot camp that combined physical and psychological challenges in addition to on-track driving in a variety of performance vehicles. nn
nnThe six-week GT Academy television series, hosted by ex-NFL player, Dhani Jones, will capture every challenge and all of the human drama of a very intense week. At the end of each episode, competitors’ performances are evaluated and critiqued by pro racers Danny Sullivan, Maryeve Dufault and Boris Said. Those who don’t make the cut go home. One winner emerges and remains in the U.K. to undergo intensive professional racing training that will qualify them to earn their international competition license.nn”GT Academy is a program that we are really pleased to be a part of. It reinforces our values of excitement, innovation and performance above all else, while giving 16 people the opportunity to fulfill their dreams – and for one of them to potentially change their lives for good,” Jon Brancheau, VP Marketing, Nissan North America.nnA new addition for season two is a second-screen experience, Pit Pass, which puts the viewer at the center of the action, making them feel more like a participant than a spectator. Building on the concept of “Victory Is Anyone’s,” viewers can visit GTAcademy.us via their smartphone or tablet devices while watching the show and enjoy access to exclusive segment-specific content while the show is playing on SPIKE TV, all via the browser and without needing to download an app. Each episode will have unique companion content, including video, interactive maps, polls, tutorials and fun facts, to drive deeper viewer engagement and inspire social media sharing. In addition, using Facebook Connect, the fan becomes the hero, enjoying the ability to create his/her own custom, adrenaline-charged GT Academy hot lap video, as well as immersing themselves in a rich, panoramic first person experience on the GT Academy website, optimized for the iPad and iPhone gyroscope technology.nnThe GT Academy concept has already proven successful. Both European and North American GT Academy competitions have produced race winners and top qualifiers in professional racing programs around the world. Europe’s GT Academy Season One winner Lucas Ordóñez won the P2 Class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2011 in a Nissan-powered prototype, while a team of four GT Academy winners placed third-in-class in January at the 24 Hours of Dubai in a race-prepared Nissan 370Z.nnThe GT Academy program was developed by TBWA\Chiat\Day Los Angeles and OMD. The TV series was produced through @radical.media and directed by Jeff Zwart. Critical Mass is responsible for the GT Academy website, Pit Pass second-screen experience and first-person Facebook video.nnCredits for GT ACADEMY SERIES 2nnFor TBWA\Chiat\Day Los AngelesnnExecutive Producer: Brian O’RourkenProducer: Tim NewfangnCreative Directors: Tito Melega, Karl DunnnArt Director: Joao Medeiros nWriter: Alex GoulartnPromo & Web Editors: Peter Smith, Greg YoungnExecutive Business Affairs Manager: Robin RossinManaging Director: Peter Bracegirdle nAccount Director: Bonnie SchwartznManagement Supervisor: Patrick JonesnManagement Supervisor: Val Tyll nDigital Account Director: Craig WerwanAccount Supervisor: Jeanann GrubbsnAccount Executive: Peter Estermann nCommunity Manager: Ashton DunnnAccounting Manager: Joe BassonDirector of Product Strategy: Joel WeeksnWorldwide PR & Communications Director: Marianne StefanowicznPR & Communications Associate: Elaina HaskosnGlobal Creative President: Rob SchwartznExecutive Director of Integrated Production: Richard O’NeillnnnFor Critical Mass (Website and Second-Screen)nnCreative Directors: Steve Savic, Michael McGrath-SingnArt Directors: Steve Buckingham, Darren WoodnCopywriter: John HamiltonnPlanning Director: Chrissie GraboskinSr. Planner: Steven HabbinVideo + Motion: Joey Camacho, Philippe ClaironProducer: Gene HonTech Lead: James GuerinnDevelopers: Tamara Gauld, Scott Luedtke, Chris PondnClient Services: Lindsay Carter, Nicole Stark, Anders KronstedtnnFor OMDnnGroup Director: Aaron Anderson nDirector Ignition Factory Gaming: Dario RacitinStrategy Supervisor: Ruben ChaveznnFor Nissan North AmericannVice President, Nissan Marketing: Jon BrancheaunDirector, Marketing Communications: Vinay Shahani nDirector, Interactive & Social Media Marketing: Erich MarxnSr. Manager, Marketing Communications: Mike Awdish nManager, Marketing Communications: Terri WelchnSr. Manager, Media Operations & Direct Marketing Group: Phil O’Conner nSr. Planner, Media Operations & Direct Marketing Group: Jeremy MeadowsnSr. Planner, Lifestyle and Event Marketing: Michael DissernSr. Manager, Interactive Marketing: Scot CotticknSr. Manager, Social Media Marketing: Chad Jacoby nSenior Specialist, Corporate Communications: Steve YaegernnFor Sony Computer EntertainmentnnPresident of Polyphony Digital; Creator, Gran Turismo Franchise: Kazunori YamauchinSenior Vice President, PlayStation Brand Marketing: Guy LongworthnSenior Director, First Party Games: Asad QizilbashnDirector, First Party Games: Mike WebsternProduct Marketing Manager, First Party Games: TJ ConsunjinProduct Marketing Manager, First Party Games: Ken ChannUS Game Producer: Taku ImasakinSenior Manager, Brand Partnerships: Andres DiaznManager, Strategic Partnerships: Ryan MaloneynnFor GTA Global LTDnnManaging Director: Laurence WiltshirenOperations Director: Martyn SmithnContent Director: Andrew HillnHospitality Manager: Nicki HewsonnnFor Radical MediannDirected by: Jeff ZwartnExecutive Producers: Dave O’Connor, Frank SchermanShowrunner: Samantha StorrnCo-Executive Producer: Larry StrubernStory Producers: Sarina Roma, Lindsay PanellnStory Producer – Judges: Michael PantaleonLine Producers: Susan Sullivan , Ray Leakey, Paul BeardnProduction Managers: Andrea Berman, Fiona Williams, Hannah CollettnPost Executive Producer: Liz Friesell MasonnPost Producers: Jennifer Helm, Tita PoenPost Production Coordinator: Meredith KaulfersnEditors: Brett Mason, Paul Little, Peter Marshall SmithnAssistant Editors: Jesse Overman, Paul Little, Ilana Fix, Tim GroseclosennGraphic Design/Animation: Ryan GibsonnAudio Post Mixer: Josh EichenbaumnColorist: Loren WhitenOnline Editor: Jesse Overman, Tom SawyernMusic: Warner ChappellnnSpecial ThanksnnAzzurro TravelnKevin KnockenVenice Beach EditorialnVyou nnAbout Grand Turismo®nWith more than 65 million units sold worldwide, the award-winning Gran Turismo® franchise for the PlayStation®, PlayStation®2 and PLAYSTATION®3 is regarded as the best and most authentic driving simulation ever created due to its true-to-life graphics, physics and real-life cars and tracks. Since the inception of the Gran Turismo franchise, famed creator Kazunori Yamauchi and Polyphony Digital Inc. in Japan have revolutionized the racing category as we know it today. His offerings provide the gamer with the most true-to-life driving simulation within the industry and a unique medium for automotive manufacturers to showcase their products.nnAbout Sony Computer Entertainment America LLCnSony Computer Entertainment America LLC continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® systems, the PlayStation®2 system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, the ground-breaking PlayStation®3 (PS3™) system and its online and network services the PlayStation®Network and PlayStation®Store.nnRecognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets, and distributes software for the PS one, PlayStation 2, PSP and PS3 systems for the North American market. Based in Foster City, California, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Visit us on the Web at www.us.playstation.comnnAbout NissannNissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan’s second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 248,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4.8 million vehicles in 2011, generating revenue of 9.4 trillion yen ($118.95 billion US). With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of 64 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero-emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades, including the prestigious 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan and 2011 World Car of the Year awards.nnFor more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at www.nissan-global.com/EN/.nnAbout Spike TVnSpike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com. Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.
Contact:
Steve Yaeger Motorsports PR Manager Nissan Americas Contact Steve via email +1-615-725-4443 Jennifer Clark Sr Director, Product Public Relations Sony Computer Entertainment America Contact Jennifer via email +1-650-655-5994 David Schwarz Spike TV Contact David via email +1-212-767-8639 Marianne Stefanowicz Worldwide PR & Communications Director TBWA Worldwide Contact Marianne via email +1-212-804-1167 Celia Jones Marketing Director Critical Mass Contact Celia via email +1-312-705-4169
Who Needs Los Angeles? We Do.
One doesn't have to be a statistician to know that there are fewer commercials being shot in the U.S. today for the American market than ever before, and a dramatic decrease in L.A. in particular. In the last five years, as reported by FilmLA (the office tasked with issuing permits), L.A. commercial production has dipped 31 percent. But here’s the thing: This doesn’t mean that L.A. has lost its importance as the production center of the world. Production in L.A. is vital. It is the go-to. It’s where you can count on access to exemplary crews, a support infrastructure second to none, varied location and backlot options, a large population of on-screen talent and (fairly) predictable weather. The fact is, with overall decline and now the devastation of the fires, we’re on the brink of losing this mainstay resource. Without employment opportunities and now many without homes, talented and trained crew are bound to leave either the industry or the LA area for other opportunities, unless there are enough job opportunities to sustain a solid living. Now is the time when we ALL must support and bolster this community. Production is needed in L.A., now! Of course, advertising is a business, and marketers’ money should be spent as efficiently as possible, BUT we have to think beyond each production and know that if we lose the incredible resource of L.A. production as we know it, then marketers, agencies and the industry loses in the long run. Over the past several days, some agencies have issued directives to production companies that are unilaterally pushing upcoming production options out of L.A. The fact is L.A. is a large area, and many sections of the city and county are not directly impacted... Read More
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