UPN Joins With America Online and Maserati for 'The UPN Platinum Sweepstakes' Driving Viewers to UPN's New Drama Series, 'Platinum'

One Grand Prize Winner will Receive a New 2003 Maserati Coupe

LOS ANGELES, April 16 -- UPN, working with America Online, Inc. and Maserati, invites viewers to refine their ride by entering "The UPN PLATINUM Sweepstakes" for a chance to win a new 2003 Maserati Coupe. Beginning April 7, 2003 and running through May 13, 2003, participants may enter the national sweepstakes to win the grand prize car that has an approximate retail value of $99,000.

For six weeks, UPN will run promos on-air and on UPN.com, and will tag its radio ads promoting the sweepstakes. AOL will also run an online campaign promoting the sweepstakes and encouraging members to tune-in for PLATINUM. The promotion is designed to drive UPN viewers and AOL members to UPN.com to enter the sweepstakes where one lucky winner will drive away with a 2003 Maserati Coupe Cambiocorsa.

The 2003 Maserati Coupe Cambiocorsa is a high-performance Italian luxury sportscar that goes from 0-60 in 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 177 mph. The Coupe Cambiocorsa is equipped with the most cutting-edge Formula One racing technology.

PLATINUM, network television's first drama set in the world of hip-hop, debuted with a preview on Monday, April 14 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on UPN. Kevin Bray directed the episode from a story by Sofia Coppola and John Ridley, with the teleplay by John Ridley. The second episode of PLATINUM, "Want," aired in its regularly scheduled time period on Tuesday, April 15 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) where a new 2003 Maserati Coupe was featured.

PLATINUM stars Jason George ("Barbershop," "Sunset Beach") as Jackson Rhames, Sticky Fingaz (from the rap group Onyx, "Dead Presidents") as Grady Rhames, Steven Pasquale as David Ross, Lalanya Masters as Monica Rhames and Davetta Sherwood as Jade Rhames. Recurring cast members include N'Bushe Wright as Max, Tony Nardi as Nick Tashjian, Sarah Manninen as Olivia, Bishop as 2Way and Vishiss as VersIs.

Eligible participants can fill out an entry form for a chance to win a car similar to the Maserati Coupe featured during the April 15, 2003 episode of PLATINUM. Entry forms are available by logging on to UPN.com or American Online Keyword: Platinum. No purchase is necessary to enter the sweepstakes.

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