The Chrysler Group Will Provide Vehicles to Winning Contestants of 'Ed McMahon's Next Big Star' on PAX TV

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 24 The Chrysler Group today
announced that 2002 model year Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge vehicles will be
the top prizes awarded to the talent champions of "Ed McMahon's Next Big
Star," a new talent competition show airing Sundays from 6-7 p.m. (ET/PT) on
PAX TV.
     The program is a competitive talent search that showcases the best of the
entertainment industry's up-and-coming performers.  One Chrysler Group vehicle
will be awarded to the winner in each of five categories during the season
finals on Feb. 24, 2002.  The categories and vehicle prizes are Kids/Chrysler
PT Cruiser, Comedy/Chrysler 300M, Male Performer/Jeep Liberty, Female
Performer/Chrysler Sebring Convertible, and Group/Dodge Durango.
    "Ed McMahon's Next Big Star" will run for 52 weeks, with 26 original
episodes.  The Chrysler Group will air two, 30-second spots in each episode.
The company is the exclusive title-level sponsor of the show and the exclusive
automotive sponsor.  In addition, the Chrysler Group will participate and get
exposure in events, contests and auditions across the country associated with
the show, including a national bus tour.
    "We are proud to be associated with Ed McMahon because he is a television
legend with a Midas touch for finding the entertainment stars of the future,"
said Jeff Bell, Vice President of Marketing Communications, the Chrysler
Group.
    "We're especially excited about the upcoming nationwide bus tours for the
show.  They will include auditions, musical performances, events and
promotions," said Bell.  "There is a component for our dealers, too.  There
will be contests, sweepstakes and events built around the show to attract
customers into our showrooms to see and experience our new Chrysler, Jeep and
Dodge products."
    "We are thrilled to be in partnership with the Chrysler Group," said
McMahon.  "Giving America's young talent the opportunity to win Chrysler Group
cars and trucks is exactly what this new show is about -- making dreams come
true," said McMahon.
    McMahon's co-host is Valeria, a 22-year-old rising pop star with
Interscope Records.  Valeria will perform on the show and join McMahon on the
road this fall in search of the next generation of stars.
    The new show builds on the groundbreaking success of McMahon's "Star
Search," which ran from 1983 to 1995 and launched the careers of Justin
Timberlake of *NSYNC, Dennis Miller, Britney Spears, LeAnn Rimes and Rosie
O'Donnell.
    According to McMahon, Next Big Star talent is discovered in many ways,
including open auditions across the country, mail submissions, and by scouting
local clubs, theater and performing arts events.  In addition, the Internet is
an opportunity to discover and showcase new talent world-wide via the
program's Web site, http://www.NextBigStar.com .

Click here