Coca-Cola Presents 2004-2005 Past American Idol Finalists at Simon Malls

Coca-Cola Presents 2004-2005 Past American Idol Finalists at Simon Malls

Leading Soft Drink and Leading Mall Owner and Marketer Bring TV's Red Hot Show Directly to Fans with a Multifaceted, Interactive Experience

INDIANAPOLIS, and ATLANTA, March 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Reality TV gets much more "real" in malls across the country this Spring, as Simon Brand Ventures, the business-to-consumer arm of Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE:SPG), and Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) launch a multi-mall event featuring live performances by 2004-2005 past American Idol finalists exclusively at Simon Malls across the country.

The event brings the drama and excitement of the pop culture phenomenon, American Idol, created by Simon Fuller of 19TV and developed and licensed by FremantleMedia, from the living room TV directly into Simon Malls in major markets throughout the country. The live event will bring tens of thousands of people across the United States face-to-face with their favorite stars from the show's 2004 and 2005 seasons. In addition to experiencing live performances from American Idol favorites LaToya London and George Huff (third and fourth place finishers, respectively) from the 2004 season and current 2005 season finalists just voted off the show, attendees will be treated to an exclusive "backstage" Q&A session with American Idol celebrities and an American Idol trivia contest. Fans can also compete in a live singing competition and a high-energy dance contest to win fun prizes such as Simon Visa Giftcards and American Idol t-shirts.

The multi-mall event kicks off April 8 in Boston and culminates in Los Angeles on May 14, just prior to the May finale of American Idol's fourth season on FOX. In between, the event will visit Simon Malls in New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Indianapolis, Dallas and San Antonio.

"Simon Malls, which host more than 2.2 billion shopping visits each year, present the ideal venue for staging an interactive American Idol experience," said Mike Stern, director, immediate consumption customer marketing, Coca-Cola North America. "People are enthralled by the contestants, the performances and the judges. Coca-Cola understands that passion. Programs like this one help bring the excitement of American Idol directly to the fans."

"Simon prides itself on consistently bringing America's hottest marketing properties face-to-face with the most sought-after consumer audiences," said Mikael Thygesen, senior vice president of business development for Simon Brand Ventures. "We're thrilled to help Coca-Cola share the excitement of American Idol by offering this unique, interactive opportunity to fans across the country."

The American Idol experience at Simon Malls is one of several proprietary large-scale consumer promotions that Coca-Cola and Simon have implemented as part of a multi-year comprehensive marketing alliance, including Simon DTour Live(TM), a national road trip of hip teen music and brands that spotlights emerging pop singing sensations, and Simon Mall for You(TM), a uniquely experiential tour about relaxation, fashion and rejuvenation - just for women. Coca-Cola's agreement with Simon also covers vending, sponsorships, promotion and on-mall advertising across the Simon franchise. For example, Coca-Cola kicked off 2005 American Idol excitement at 165 Simon Malls in January and February with an Instant-Win Coca-Cola Vending Game. Prizes ranged from American Idol t-shirts to an all-expense-paid trip for two to the taping of the American Idol finale.

Coca-Cola has created in-program elements such as "Behind-the-Scenes Moments" that, when coupled with local activities at Simon Malls, enhance and extend the excitement of American Idol for fans across the country. Eight- time Emmy-nominated American Idol is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Television and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Chief Operating Officer, Production, FremantleMedia North America Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc. American Idol is a FremantleMedia North America /19TV production and can be seen Tuesday and Wednesday nights on FOX.

About Simon Brand Ventures

Simon Brand Ventures (SBV), Simon's business-to-consumer arm, has pioneered the transformation of shopping malls into a medium where consumer brands can build one-on-one relationships with shoppers who make approximately 2.2 billion visits to Simon Malls each year. Simon's vast franchise of market-leading shopping centers nationwide provides SBV the foundation to monetize the distribution system through numerous consumer ventures. SBV has engaged in a number of consumer business initiatives, including the Simon Giftcard(TM), launch of Simon platform programs -- such as Simon Kidgits Club(TM), Simon Super Chefs Live!(TM), Simon DTour Live(TM), Simon Mall for You(TM) and Simon Evening of Giving(TM); a national media delivery channel including static, digital and experiential marketing and advertising vehicles; and multiple national and local marketing alliances with Coca-Cola, Visa U.S.A. and Cingular Wireless, among others.

About Simon Property Group

Simon Property Group, Inc., headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a real estate investment trust engaged in the ownership, development and management of retail real estate, primarily regional malls, Premium Outlet(R) centers and community shopping centers. The Company's current total market capitalization is approximately $36 billion. Through its subsidiary partnerships, it currently owns or has an interest in 297 properties in the United States containing an aggregate of 203 million square feet of gross leasable area in 40 states plus Puerto Rico. Simon also holds interests in 51 European shopping centers in France, Italy, Poland and Portugal; 5 Premium Outlet(R) centers in Japan; one Premium Outlet(R) center in Mexico; and one shopping center in Canada. Additional Simon Property Group information is available at http://www.simon.com/ .

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company, marketing four of the world's top five soft drink brands, including the number one soft drink Coca-Cola. Consumers in nearly 200 countries enjoy the Company's products at a rate of more than 1 billion servings each day. For more information about The Coca-Cola Company, visit http://www.coca-cola.com/ .

About FremantleMedia

FremantleMedia Licensing Americas (FMLA) is the US licensing arm of FremantleMedia, one of the largest international creators and producers of program brands in the world, with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in over 40 territories. FMLA exploits FremantleMedia's many strong brands including the award winning American Idol, the world's longest running game show The Price Is Right, the ever-popular Family Feud, and other classic game shows across multiple off- screen platforms including merchandising campaigns, interactive and wireless support, home entertainment and music publishing.

About 19 Entertainment

Five-time Emmy Award-nominee American Idol was created by Simon Fuller of 19TV and developed by FremantleMedia. Executive producers are Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe for 19TV and Cecile Frot-Coutaz and Ken Warwick for FremantleMedia North America. 19 also manages such leading musical artists as Annie Lennox, Will Young, Kelly Clarkson and Fantasia. FremantleMedia North America is one of America's foremost producers of reality-based entertainment programming for television, and has produced the Idols format in 30 countries worldwide.

Source: Simon Property Group, Inc.

CONTACT: Sarah Heffernan of Fleishman Hillard, +1-314-982-8680, hefferns@fleishman.com ; or Billie Scott of Simon Property Group, +1-317-263-7148, bscott@simon.com

Web site: http://www.simon.com/ http://www.coca-cola.com/

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