Toyota Teams Up with NBA To Launch Toyota1on1.com Fan Program

*Fans Have a Chance to go 1on1 with Carmelo Anthony, Marc Ecko or Jermaine Dupri

*Rookie Sensation Chris Paul Helps to Kick Off Promotion at NBA All-Star Jam Session

HOUSTON - Feb. 23 2006: Toyota and the National Basketball Association (NBA) have teamed up to give fans the chance to go one-on-one with icons in the sports, fashion or music world by placing a vote for the best play of the week on Toyota1on1.com.

One Grand Prize winner will have the opportunity to "Get Game" with Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony, "Get Style" with fashion and media icon Marc Ecko, or "Get Beats" with music mogul Jermaine Dupri.

To participate in the contest there is no purchase necessary. Fans log on to Toyota1on1.com to vote for one of three video clips showing the best plays of the week from NBA action. Votes can be cast every day via the website or by text messaging "PLAY" to "t1on1" on a mobile phone. Each vote enters that person into a sweepstakes with a weekly prize featuring an mp3 player, NBA merchandise or Ecko clothing.

At the end of the promotion, one Grand Prize winner will be chosen from all the people who have voted for the plays of the week. That Grand Prize winner will have a choice of going "1on1" with Anthony, Ecko or Dupri.

"Basketball fans have diverse interests and through Toyota 1on1 we wanted to give them a chance to really pursue their passion, whether it's on the court with Carmelo Anthony, learning about fashion from Mark Ecko or getting a deep dive into the music industry with Jermaine Dupri," said Jim Farley, Toyota Vice President of Marketing.

Each of the icons is a standout in his business:

Carmelo Anthony

NBA rising star, Carmelo Anthony, was drafted No. 3 in 2003 by the Denver Nuggets and started in all 82 games that year. Anthony was selected as the 2005 Rookie Challenge MVP, a member of the 2004 U.S. Senior Men's National team and was the third-youngest player in the NBA to reach the 2,000 point mark.

Marc Ecko

From fashion to footwear, gaming to publishing, Marc Ecko is an artist, designer and entrepreneur who stands out for his ability to fuse the many parts of today's multicultural society into seamless, relevant styles and trends. Ecko heads the full-scale global fashion and lifestyle company, which last year alone billed more than $1 billion.

Jermaine Dupri

Grammy Award winning music mogul, Jermaine Dupri, has 20 years of experience in the music industry and is the founder and CEO of So So Def Recordings and president of Black Music at Virgin Records. Dupri has helmed the release of platinum albums for Janet Jackson, Usher, Mariah Carey and Bow Wow, to name a few.

In addition to being able to view and vote for the best plays of the week on Toyota1on1.com, the website will link to video profiles of some of the top NBA players on "Toyota Moving Forward Moments," appearing on NBA TV and NBA.com, a photo blog where people can submit their "Fan of the Week" photos, a listing of the celebrity icons' favorite tunes and online versions of some of the unique games from the Toyota Zone at the NBA All-Star Game Jam Session.

Rookie sensation Chris Paul, of the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, is part of Toyota1on1.com as one of the players featured in "Toyota Moving Forward Moments," as well as providing an insider's view of the NBA All-Star weekend by posting his photos from the event on the photo blog.

Paul, Ecko and Dupri kicked off the program at the 2006 NBA All-Star Jam Session on Saturday, February 18. The program concludes May 1, 2006.