Highlights:
"MCI will provide high technology to enhance the program's futuristic
storyline. In addition, Cerf, also known as the ``Father of the Internet,''
will serve as a technical consultant to the production. Cerf will
contribute advanced concepts and ensure the accuracy and feasibility of the
futuristic technology provided to ``Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final
Conflict'' by MCI. Cerf may also appear as himself in a cameo role in the
series."
``MCI is setting the standard for smart marketing through its multi-tiered
investment in this cutting-edge, new franchise,'' added Cerf. ``What better
way to showcase MCI's visionary technology than in a futuristic sci-fi
thriller?''
Just as long as our competitors don't start spreading rumors that our
product plans are sci-fi, too...
Rohit
"who just adores MCI's intranet daily news" Khare
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---Wednesday June 4 2:55 PM EDT Company Press Release
Tribune Entertainment and MCI join forces on "Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict" CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 4, 1997--Tribune Entertainment Company (TEC) and MCI have taken a giant step into futuristic marketing by creating an extensive promotional partnership for TEC's sci-fi action hour ``Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict.'' The agreement was jointly announced today by Dick Askin, TEC President and CEO, and Vint Cerf, MCI Senior Vice President of Internet Architecture, at this year's PROMAX conference in Chicago. TEC will unveil its marketing and promotional campaigns for ``Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict'' and its other highly anticipated action hour, ``Nightman,'' during PROMAX at the Adler Planetarium on Thursday, June 5. TEC has received enthusiastic responses to the workshop and expects close to 300 attendees at the event. Under terms of the agreement, TEC and MCI will maximize marketing activities for ``Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict'' through a unique blend of cooperative marketing efforts; including advertising, product placement, public relations and numerous cross-promotions. MCI will provide high technology to enhance the program's futuristic storyline. In addition, Cerf, also known as the ``Father of the Internet,'' will serve as a technical consultant to the production. Cerf will contribute advanced concepts and ensure the accuracy and feasibility of the futuristic technology provided to ``Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict'' by MCI. Cerf may also appear as himself in a cameo role in the series. Regarding the announcement, Askin said, ``We are delighted to have MCI as a promotional partner for this series, as we are planning a very extensive and highly aggressive marketing campaign to launch and support `Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict.''' He added, ``MCI has clear, unique and realistic ideas of how they feel technology will affect the world in the future. Their valuable input will help make the show that much more relevant to today, which is a staple of Gene Roddenberry's vision.'' ``MCI is setting the standard for smart marketing through its multi-tiered investment in this cutting-edge, new franchise,'' added Cerf. ``What better way to showcase MCI's visionary technology than in a futuristic sci-fi thriller?'' ``Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict'' will premiere this Fall with a wide variety of tied promotions generated by MCI with TEC. These will include limited edition MCI PrePaid(R) calling cards featuring images from the series distributed via promotional activities with radio stations nationwide; Internet activities including interactive Web pages, contests and electronic newsletters ; and various other public relations programs to be announced in the future. MCI will provide integrated services including long distance, paging, directlineMCI, and networkMCI conferencing services during the development and production of ``Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict.'' These tools will allow the program's producers and distributors to be in constant contact, utilizing the latest communications technology. TEC and ATLANTIS RELEASING are partnered to develop, produce and distribute ``Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict,'' which revolves around a group of aliens whose arrival on Earth inspires confidence in some, and apprehension in others, when they provide solutions to some of the world's most pressing problems. Conceived by ``Star Trek'' creator Gene Roddenberry, an initial season of 22 episodes will be syndicated throughout the U.S. by TEC and distributed throughout the rest of the world by ATLANTIS RELEASING. ``Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict'' has been cleared in 95% of the U.S., sold in all of the top 50 markets, and will star Kevin Kilner as human intelligence officer William Boone. The series executive producers are Majel Barrett Roddenberry, David Kirschner, Seaton McClean and Rick Okie. Tribune Entertainment Company (TEC), a subsidiary of Tribune Broadcasting Company, is one of the fastest-growing suppliers of diverse product to the television marketplace. Currently, the company produces ``The Geraldo Rivera Show,'' produces and distributes the highly-anticipated weekly action hours ``Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict'' and ``NightMan,'' both scheduled for a Fall 1997 launch, and ``BZZZ!,'' the daily syndicated relationship series. Tribune Entertainment Company also distributes ``Flipper,'' the syndicated action program based on the classic television series, the power-packed ``Gladiators 2000'' and the weekly ``Soul Train'' and ``U.S. Farm Report'' series.
--- Rohit Khare // MCI Data Architecture (BOS) // khare@mci.net Voice: (617) 960-5131 VNet: 370-5131 Fax: (617) 960-1009