America Online's "Celebrity You've Got Mail" Delivers a Star-studded Line Up Beginning May 14
DULLES, VA--May 14, 2002--Guess the Mystery Celebrity for a Chance to Win One of Four
Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge Vehicles and Much More
You've Got Mail, Babe! America Online's "Celebrity You've Got Mail" kicks off on Tuesday, May 14, with a month-long celebration of the legendary phrase that has helped make e-mail and the online medium part of our everyday lives. Through this unique event, AOL has brought together 32 "mystery celebrities," including some of the biggest names in music, movies, television and sports, who will record the now ubiquitous phrase.
Participants must guess the identity of the celebrity e-mail greeter for a chance to win one of four 2002 model year DaimlerChrysler vehicles - a Jeep Liberty, Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab, Chrysler PT Cruiser or Dodge Intrepid SXT - and other great prizes. Throughout the campaign, AOL members will be able to customize their own e-mail greeting with messages from these superstars every time they receive new mail, or log on and off. "Celebrity You've Got Mail" is open to AOL members (via AOL Keyword: You've Got Mail). Non-members can also enter (via www.celebrityygm.aol.com).
"Nothing symbolizes e-mail and is as synonymous with the online experience as the phrase 'You've Got Mail,'" said Rose Polidoro, Senior Vice President of Promotional Marketing, America Online, Inc. "'Celebrity You've Got Mail' not only celebrates the iconic status of this famous phrase, but provides celebrity access that can't be found elsewhere - underscoring that AOL is the place to be for the best in online entertainment offerings and exciting member benefits."
Here's how it works. When a mystery celebrity voice is posted, AOL will provide one clue to help identify the messenger. From a star whose "first concert was Whitney Houston" to one whose "childhood dream was to become a motorcycle racer," these clues will give participants a tip to help them guess the star. In addition to "You've Got Mail," these superstars will add their own special take on the trademark AOL "Welcome" and "Goodbye" messages. A new celebrity voice will offer these messages each day for 32 days.
AOL will host a star-studded event in Hollywood on May 14 to celebrate the launch of "Celebrity You've Got Mail" and toast this year's personalities. The first mystery celebrity voice will appear as the guest of honor - and will be revealed at the event. Elektra recording artist Tweet, whose music - including the hit single "Oops! (Oh My)" - was first introduced by AOL Music in December, will bring her blend of old-school soul and new-school hip-hop attitude to the evening with a special live performance.
AOL members accessing the service via high-speed Internet connections, including the AOL High Speed Broadband service available with Time Warner Cable or via DSL, will have access to special video content during the campaign, including behind-the-scenes footage from the May 14 celebrity event and footage of this year's participating "Celebrity You've Got Mail" celebrities recording their versions of "Welcome," "You've Got Mail," and "Goodbye," as well as clues about their identities.
The two previous versions of "Celebrity You've Got Mail" featured the inimitable voices of Madonna, Michael Jordan, Mick Jagger, Rosie O'Donnell, David Letterman, Sarah Jessica Parker and many others, and resulted in millions of new visitors to AOL. As each of this year's celebrity voices are revealed, they will be included in an online "Celebrity You've Got Mail" voice gallery that will remain live throughout the contest. At the end of the promotion, several of the celebrities will be added to AOL's celebrity voice page (AOL Keyword: Celebrity Voices), joining others from past editions of "Celebrity You've Got Mail."
"Celebrity You've Got Mail" features a collection of prestige partners including Blockbuster Inc., BURGER KING, DaimlerChrysler, UA Theatres, AOL Moviefone and Time, Inc.
Jeff Bell, Vice President of Marketing Communications for DaimlerChrysler, said, "The reach and power of AOL gives us the ability to reach our customers - and potential customers - and offer four of our best-selling vehicles to the winners of the 'Celebrity You've Got Mail' sweepstakes. It's an unbeatable opportunity for driving enthusiasts to own a Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge vehicle."
BURGER KING customers will find posters in thousands of restaurants across the country, and corporately-owned Blockbuster stores will display "Celebrity You've Got Mail" voice boxes as part of an end aisle display.
Said Debbie Adams, Director, Category Development - Strategic Partnerships for Blockbuster, "We are happy to be part of this very successful program for the second time. It's very worthwhile for Blockbuster; our members enjoy participating and it helps bring the movie business to life."
UA Theatres will prompt contest participation with screen slides and lobby signage, and Moviefone.com will promote the "Celebrity You've Got Mail" program for the duration of the campaign. Time Inc. publications Teen People, People and Entertainment Weekly will also support the program.
The "Celebrity You've Got Mail" contest ends June 14, 2002. No purchase necessary. This contest is open to legal residents of the United States 13 years of age or older (void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited) and contestants are subject to official rules, which can be found at AOL Keyword: You've Got Mail or www.celebrityygm.aol.com.
About America Online, Inc.
America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL Time Warner, Inc. . Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.