American Airlines Joins Conde Nast and Public Television for New 'Gourmet's Adventures With Ruth' TV Series

American Airlines Joins Conde Nast and Public Television for New 'Gourmet's Adventures With Ruth' TV Series

Best-Selling Author Ruth Reichl, Celebrity Friends Tour International Cooking Schools

FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- American Airlines is embarking on another innovative advertising program to appeal to consumers' dual passions for travel and food. The airline launches its latest partnership with the Oct. 17 premiere of the new public television series "Gourmet's Adventures with Ruth."

The new series stars Ruth Reichl, best-selling author and food critic, as she visits cooking schools around the world with celebrity friends, chefs and editors to experience local cultures, food and traditions. American is the sole corporate funder of "Gourmet's Adventures with Ruth." The show, produced by WGBH Boston, premieres in New York on Oct. 17 and the 10 half-hour episodes will roll out in other markets throughout the fall.

American's partnership with WGBH and Gourmet publisher Conde Nast takes a multi-faceted approach to reach people with a passion for food and travel, including 30-second brand spots at the opening and close of each episode; high-impact feature-style ad pages in the October issue of Gourmet magazine; and features on the show's Web site, (www.gourmet.com/adventureswithruth).

In addition, WGBH will produce 10 VODcasts that will reside on the series Web site and on Gourmet's TiVo channel. One of American's 30-second brand spots will be featured at the beginning of each VODcast. TM Advertising, the airline's long-standing agency of record, worked with American Airlines, WGBH and Gourmet to develop the advertising program.

"Food and travel are intrinsically linked. We've all had moments when we've tasted something wonderful that instantly evoked a favorite place we've visited," said Rick Wilbins, American's Managing Director - Brand and Advertising. "That's why we're pleased to sponsor a series that combines these enthusiasms for food and travel."

"Gourmet's Adventures with Ruth" follows closely on the heels of the successful "Diary of a Foodie," which won a 2009 Daytime Emmy Award and Cine Golden Eagle Award.

Wilbins added, "American shares a common vision with public television and Conde Nast to connect with culinary adventurers by creating engaging experiences, which will be achieved through 'Gourmet's Adventures with Ruth.' While we regret that publication of Gourmet as a print magazine is ending, we realize that Conde Nast has a strong commitment to the Gourmet brand, which will continue to have a presence in other channels."

American Airlines has a long history of combining travel with palate-pleasing cuisine. 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.

"Gourmet's Adventures with Ruth" is a production of WGBH, Zero Point Zero Production Inc., and Conde Nast, in association with National Geographic International.

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/
http://www.gourmet.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment