LOS ANGELES, August 2, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- American Honda Motor Co., along with Stern/Leve Productions and Giant Screen Sports, the producing partners for the new large-format film PULSE: a STOMP Odyssey, announced today that they have reached an agreement whereby American Honda will be the exclusive Global Presenting Sponsor for the film scheduled for worldwide release to IMAX and other large-format theaters in spring 2002.
PULSE: a STOMP Odyssey is a whirlwind tour across continents and cultures, guided by the internationally acclaimed performers of the rhythm show STOMP, one of New York's biggest hit shows. In PULSE: a STOMP Odyssey, audiences will travel a world brought brilliantly alive on the large-format screen and will discover the international language of rhythm. The film will introduce audiences to percussion groups from locales and backgrounds as disparate as the Timbalada of Brazil to the Kodo drummers of Japan, ultimately culminating in a STOMP performance at the film's spectacular conclusion.
PULSE: a STOMP Odyssey will be created and directed by the Academy Award-nominated, Emmy Award-winning team of Steve McNicholas and Luke Cresswell, the original creators of the international stage sensation STOMP. STOMP is currently in its eighth year in New York with companies touring internationally. McNicholas and Cresswell are currently in production of their feature film entitled Vacuums for famed producer Quincy Jones.
The partnership between American Honda and PULSE: a STOMP Odyssey is a natural fit, according to Richard Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Ingenuity and innovation are hallmarks of the Honda brand and are a direct expression of Honda's corporate philosophy," says Colliver. "By capturing the rhythms of the world, PULSE: a STOMP Odyssey looks at our world through a different lens and sees a world of possibilities. Honda's philosophy is much the same: by encouraging associates to be creative, no challenge is too great, no problem too difficult. At Honda, we believe in the power of dreams."
Rubin Postaer and Associates, American Honda's long-time advertising agency brought the idea of this sponsorship to the company. Rubin Postaer will be involved in various marketing and promotional activities related to the sponsorship, including the creation of on-site displays for both Honda dealerships and large-format theatres, the pursuit of philanthropic efforts tied to musical education, and various consumer contests and hospitality events. "We are very eager to explore the many exciting opportunities that this sponsorship offers American Honda," states Gerry Rubin, president and CEO of Rubin Postaer and Associates. In addition, Rubin Postaer will stage 50 VIP screenings for the American Honda owner body in IMAX theatre venues throughout the country.
According to producer James D. Stern, "By taking its audience on an international journey of rhythm and sound, PULSE: a STOMP Odyssey will teach its audience to listen to the world differently through the dynamism of a global beat." Stern and producing partner Harriet Leve were original producers of the stage show.
Producer Steve Kempf adds, "We believe the film will deliver to Honda both value-added consumer exposure as well as positive affiliations with the institutions and missions that make the large-format industry unique. This will also add a new and exciting dimension to our marketing efforts. Honda will not only provide exposure for the film in traditional media channels, but also on the grassroots level where Honda dealerships and large-format theaters co-exist."
As exclusive global presenting sponsor, Honda will receive, among other benefits, on-screen exposure through presenting credit, logo identification on all film marketing material and collateral, and identification and promotional participation in ancillary product distribution such as soundtrack and home video releases. By virtue of the agreement, Honda also obtains the right to use highlights from the film in its own corporate and dealership communications and in activation of its sponsorship affiliation through promotion and advertising in traditional media.
PULSE: a STOMP Odyssey is presented by American Honda and is a production of Giant Screen Sports, James D. Stern Productions and Harriet N. Leve Productions. Giant Screen Sports will distribute the film to large-format theaters worldwide.
James D. Stern, an original producer of the stage show STOMP, is a producer of Mel Brooks' current Broadway sensation The Producers, which recently collected a record 12 Tony Awards. Stern also directed and produced the large-format film Michael Jordan to the Max with Giant Screen Sports and the feature film It's the Rage. Additionally, Stern has produced Tony-nominated shows including Sound of Music, Swing, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Weir, and many others.
Harriet N. Leve, also an original producer of the stage show STOMP, currently produces the award-winning New York and National tour productions of STOMP. Additional producing credits include Tony-nominated Broadway and off-Broadway productions such as The Diary of Anne Frank, Twilight: Los Angeles, Kat and the Kings, and Communicating Doors.
Giant Screen Sports (GSS) is run by co-founders Don and Steve Kempf and specializes in the production and distribution of large-format films. GSS directed, produced and distributed the large-format film Michael Jordan to the Max with James D. Stern. Michael Jordan to the Max has been the highest grossing large-format film over the last year, and it continues its successful run around the world.
American Honda began operations in North America in 1959, with the first establishment of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Honda's first overseas subsidiary. Today, more than 19,000 associates in the United States are employed by Honda in the areas of design, development, engineering, assembly and sales of Honda and Acura products. Honda operates 10 manufacturing facilities in North America that produce automobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, power equipment, transmissions and engines, using domestic and globally-sourced parts.
The partnership between American Honda and PULSE: a STOMP Odyssey was initiated by the Endeavor talent agency's Endeavor Entertainment Marketing Group, which seeks to build mutually beneficial relationships between corporate clients and entertainment industry companies. Services include custom sponsored programming; television, theatrical, and new media product sales; product placement plus; virtual integration services; promotion consulting; new media consulting; and media sales. The marketing group is part of Endeavor, an integrated talent and literary agency that represents some of the most prolific writers, producers, directors, and actors worldwide.