bpg Serves Up a Promo Ace for Tennis Channel's First US Open Broadcast

bpg Serves Up a Promo Ace for Tennis Channel's First US Open Broadcast

New York-Themed US Open Spot from bpg Utilizes Cutting-Edge 3D Techniques

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- bpg, a full-service, award-winning creative advertising agency for the entertainment industry, and Tennis Channel, the only 24-hour, television-based multimedia destination dedicated to both the professional sport and tennis lifestyle, today unveiled the Tennis Channel's promotional campaign for its 2009 US Open broadcast coverage which begins August 31. The spot plays a central role in the most extensive and ambitious multiplatform promotional campaign in Tennis Channel history and can be seen on TennisChannel.com.

"Every aspect of Tennis Channel's approach to its inaugural US Open coverage is designed to reflect the drama, energy and supreme athleticism that takes place at the tournament each summer," said Robyn Miller, senior vice president of marketing, Tennis Channel. "bpg brought that vision to life for this campaign. The promotional spot more than delivers, offering an unforgettable taste of one of the greatest events in all of sports as it joins our lineup."

The spot, entitled "Air," shows tennis greats, from Billie Jean King to Roger Federer, in their finest moments. The athletes soar across the New York City skyline to a soundtrack of Beethoven's "Missa Solemnis" and "Ode to Joy." bpg used innovative 3D photogrammetry to stretch and animate still images and create a fresh, arresting visual experience. In one section of the spot, the Statue of Liberty gets in on the action, swinging a racquet high over her head. The 3D photogrammetry seen in the spot is typically reserved for big-budget feature film work, and "Air" may represent its first appearance in promotion.

"'Air' really reflects the excitement surrounding the event and sets the tone for the integrated brand strategy to make Tennis Channel the destination for tennis fans," said Steph Sebbag, President, bpg. "The historical footage of players flying through the air to make amazing shots inspired the concept and allowed us to push the technical aspects, while the iconic Manhattan skyline was the perfect background because New York is such a central part of the US Open experience."

"Air" is currently running on Tennis Channel and will air on cable partners beginning August 30 through the tournament's conclusion on September 13. The network's fully integrated, multimedia campaign will also feature billboards and radio throughout the New York market, print advertisements in the New York Times, retail tie-ins with McWilliam's wine, Cal-Giant and Food Emporium, and interactive elements across the web.

This year marks the first year in which Tennis Channel will air all four Grand Slams including 72 hours of live US Open coverage, and 240 round-the-clock hours overall.

About bpg

bpg (http://www.bpgadvertising.com/) is a full service, award-winning creative advertising agency for the entertainment industry. Through print, online and broadcast media, bpg conceptualizes clean, cutting edge and comprehensive campaigns, with big picture thinking. bpg has been nominated and has won dozens of industry awards recognizing its work in various media, including Promax|BDA Awards, Graphis Awards, Davey Awards, Golden Trailer Awards, Key Art Awards, and Telly Awards. The agency was established in 2005 by Steph Sebbag. Clients include Bravo, History, Syfy, NFL Network, Oxygen, Spike, Warner Bros, Paramount, Miramax and MovieTickets.com.

About Tennis Channel

Tennis Channel (www.tennischannel.com) is the only 24-hour, television-based multimedia destination dedicated to both the professional sport and tennis lifestyle. A hybrid of comprehensive sports, health, fitness, pop culture, entertainment, lifestyle and travel programming, the network is home to every aspect of the wide-ranging, worldwide tennis community. It also has the most concentrated single-sport coverage in television, with telecast rights to the US Open, Wimbledon, Roland Garros (French Open), Australian Open, Olympus US Open Series, ATP Masters Series, top-tier Sony Ericsson WTA Tour championship competitions, Davis Cup and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas, and Hyundai Hopman Cup. Tennis Channel is carried by eight of the top 10 MSOs and has a national footprint via DIRECTV and DISH Network.

   Contact:   Laura Hart   Beck Media & Marketing for bpg   310-689-7215   Laura@BeckMedia.com    Eric Abner   Tennis Channel   310-314-9445   eabner@thetennischannel.com  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: bpg

CONTACT: Laura Hart of Beck Media & Marketing, +1-310-689-7215,
Laura@BeckMedia.com, for bpg; or Eric Abner of Tennis Channel,
+1-310-314-9445, eabner@thetennischannel.com

Web Site: http://www.bpgadvertising.com/
http://www.tennischannel.com/

---

Profile: International Entertainment