MIAMI, FL. (By Lourdes Lopez/ Latin Recording Academy) - The Latin Recording Academy, in conjunction with NYC Big Events, today announced the corporate sponsors for the upcoming 7th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards at Madison
Square Garden in New York City on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2006. This will mark the first time New York City will host the Latin GRAMMYs, which will be broadcast on the Univision Network from 8-11 p.m. (ET/PT).
Major corporate sponsors include Heineken, Clinique, Delta, Washington Mutual, Verizon Communications, Verizon Wireless, Wal-Mart, Pepsi, Bally Total Fitness, McDonald's, Univision Online and Univision Radio. The sponsors help to support the programs surrounding the biggest night in Latin music, including the festive Latin GRAMMY Street Parties, the prestigious 2006 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year Tribute honoring Ricky Martin, and the Latin GRAMMY After Party, presented by Heineken.
"The Latin Recording Academy is thrilled to have such strong supporters and partners joining us as we celebrate excellence in the Latin recording arts," said Latin Recording Academy President Gabriel Abaroa. "The wide array of support we are seeing from such major corporate sponsors proves the incredible growth in the popularity of Latin music. This is just the beginning."
"The City of New York is proud to have forged relationships with an A-List group of brands to help bring the Latin GRAMMY Awards to New York City," said Jim Donofrio, Senior Vice President, Sales and Partnership for NYC Marketing. "Together we have developed powerful marketing programs that celebrate the flavor and culture of the Latino community through our week-long series of events: 'NYC Celebrates in Latin Style.'"
Heineken returns for the seventh consecutive year as the official beer and malt beverage sponsor of the Latin GRAMMY Awards. Heineken will sponsor the "Heineken Green Carpet" arrivals at the telecast, The Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year tribute to Ricky Martin, and will serve as presenting sponsor of the Latin GRAMMY After Party. This year Heinenken offered consumers, via online and in participating stores, the chance to be a guest DJ in the Heineken Lounge at the official After Party through their "Spin @ the Latin GRAMMYs" sweepstakes.
Clinique will introduce this year's new color, Colour Surge Butter Shine Lipstick in "Coqueta," and — for the first time ever — will feature this new shade in its "Latin GRAMMY Look" promotion. Available at Clinique makeup counters throughout the U.S., "Coqueta" will be given to Arrivals guests at the show. As the official cosmetics of the Latin GRAMMY Awards, Clinique also will sponsor the "Clinique Happy Lounge" at the After Party celebration.
Delta joins the ranks as a first-time sponsor of this celebration of Latin music and culture as a part of the company's continued commitment to its customers in the U.S., Latin America and around the world. Delta has undergone a remarkable momentous expansion to new, popular Latin American routes as it continues its global growth and is constantly looking for new ways to improve the customer travel experience.
Along with the live telecast, Univision Radio will broadcast Latin GRAMMY programming, promotions, news and events throughout the U.S., including exclusive interviews from rehearsals backstage at the Latin GRAMMYs. Univision Online will host the official Web site of the Latin GRAMMY Awards (Univision.com, Uniclave: Latin GRAMMY) with editorial coverage of the festivities.
Returning for the third year is leading communications and entertainment provider Verizon. Verizon Wireless will offer exclusive VCAST coverage of the Latin GRAMMY Pre- and Post-Shows, including interviews with nominees, ringtones, wallpaper and downloads. Verizon will also feature content online at www.verizon.com.
Bally Total Fitness is a first-time sponsor and the official fitness center of the 7th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards. Bally is inviting everyone to get in shape through its Latin GRAMMY Awards promotion and to participate in the Latin GRAMMY Street Parties. Prior to the ceremony, Bally will have on-air and online promotions inviting consumers to come to Bally Total Fitness centers for more information about getting in shape.
Another first time sponsor, Washington Mutual is sponsoring its "Gratis y Libre VIP Latin GRAMMY Experience." Customers opening a free checking account in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Miami, Orlando, Houston and Chicago will be entered for a chance to attend the Awards. Also, the "WaMu DJ" booth has been present at the Latin GRAMMY Street Parties throughout the country.
New partner McDonald's will sponsor the "McDonald's Latin GRAMMYs Viewing Party" at the 40/40 club in New York and the "Savor the Latin GRAMMYs with McDonald's Sweepstakes." These events will be part of a New York area marketing and media effort to support the launch of the New McDonald's Snack Wrap and "NYC Celebrates in Latin Style."
Pepsi is also partnering with the Latin GRAMMY Awards for the first time, sponsoring an aggressive promotional campaign in Los Angeles and New York that includes customized event cans and advertising on Pepsi bottler trucks in Manhattan. In addition, several sweepstakes featured at participating Pathmark and White Rose during the month of October give consumers the opportunity to win a trip to the Latin GRAMMY telecast.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is proud to be the exclusive retail and telecast sponsor of the 7th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards. As part of its commitment, Wal-Mart will feature a New York citywide advertising campaign around the telecast which will include bus shelters and street banners. Wal-Mart is also excited to have the catalog of Latin GRAMMY Nominees' CDs available at the Wal-Mart price so music fans nationwide can celebrate and enjoy Latin music.
For more information on all of these sponsors, please log on to: www.heineken.com, www.clinique.com, www.delta.com, www.washingtonmutual.com, www.verizon.com, www.verizonwireless.com, www.walmart.com, www.pepsi.com, www.ballytotalfitness.com, www.mcdonalds.com and www.univision.com.
About The Latin Recording Academy
The Latin Recording Academy is an international, membership-based organization comprised of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking recording artists, musicians, songwriters, producers and other creative and technical recording professionals. The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for Latin music and its makers. In addition to producing the Latin GRAMMY Awards to honor excellence in the recorded arts and sciences, The Latin Recording Academy provides educational and outreach programs for the Latin music community. For more information about The Latin Recording Academy, please visit www.grammy.com.
