American Airlines Has Starring Role in Food Network's 'The Next Iron Chef'

American Airlines Has Starring Role in Food Network's 'The Next Iron Chef'

American Brings Faraway Places, Foods Into International Storyline of Hit Reality-TV Competition

FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- American Airlines is a highly visible "ingredient" in Food Network's new season of The Next Iron Chef.

Through a multi-faceted advertising program with Food Network, American is naturally woven throughout the new season of the hit series, The Next Iron Chef, which premieres Oct. 4. The show will challenge 10 top chefs from around the country in a series of demanding situations, testing their culinary skills and mental toughness.

American is the featured travel partner for The Next Iron Chef. Throughout the season, American will be seen flying the chefs from Los Angeles to Tokyo to New York. American Airlines Cargo is also featured in several episodes, helping the Chairman to gather certain ingredients and cooking tools from around the world. TM Advertising, American's long-standing agency of record, worked with American and Food Network to develop the partnership.

"For many American Airlines customers, food and travel are essential ingredients of life's best experiences," said Rick Wilbins, American's Managing Director - Brand and Advertising. "Partnering with Food Network's The Next Iron Chef is another way to show our customers that we understand and share their excitement about traveling the world to enjoy new cultures and cuisines."

"We worked with TM and American Airlines to find the best way to convey American's message of the passion, energy, and culinary exploration that comes with travel," said Karen Grinthal, Senior Vice President, Ad Sales, Food Network & Fine Living. "The Next Iron Chef provided the strongest vehicle, and American's integration into the program added excitement and was organic to the international theme of the show."

The Next Iron Chef partnership includes high-impact feature-style ad pages in Food Network magazine. The innovative integration in Food Network magazine allows American to highlight its global network as well as its award-winning premium services, including the expertise of its distinguished Chefs' Conclave members, celebrity consulting chefs and wine consultant.

For more than 20 years, American has worked with its Chefs' Conclave members to provide inspired food choices for passengers. In 1988, American became the first airline to enlist the expertise of prominent and well-respected chefs to help craft the direction of its inflight food service.

Hosted by Alton Brown (Good Eats, Iron Chef America), the reality competition premieres this Sunday, Oct. 4, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

About American Airlines

American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection® serve 250 cities in 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, AA.com®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in more than 130 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE:AMR)

                  AmericanAirlines®  We know why you fly®        Current AMR Corp. releases can be accessed on the Internet.                      The address is http://www.aa.com  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: rick.wilbins@aa.com

Source: American Airlines

CONTACT: Andrea Huguely, Corporate Communications, Fort Worth, Texas of
American Airlines, +1-817-967-1577, mediarelations@aa.com

Web Site: http://www.aa.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment