(Los Angeles, CA) January 14, 2010 – Lexus salutes distinguished African Americans at the third annual BET Honors, hosted once again by the beautiful and talented actress, Gabrielle Union. Taping on Saturday, January 16, at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., this inspirational show highlights the exceptional achievements of African Americans. The show will premiere during Black History Month on Monday, February 1, at 9p.m./8c. Ryan Leslie, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, India.Arie, Patti LaBelle and others will pay tribute to these phenomenal honorees with riveting performances.
During the ceremony, Lexus will debut its commercial for the launch of the newly redesigned GX. The commercial features Universal Motown recording artist Ryan Leslie, who has formed a strategic partnership with the luxury automaker. As an emerging artist armed with a Harvard undergraduate degree, Ryan Leslie embodies the style and sophistication of the Lexus brand. The cinematic spot will premiere immediately following Ryan Leslie’s performance on stage at BET Honors.
In addition to the television commercial, the campaign will be accompanied by various digital components online including exclusive downloads and contests. This African American marketing program with Ryan Leslie represents a break from the traditional for Lexus, as the innovative use of social/digital media tools such as Twitter and Facebook will serve as the driving force behind the conversation.
“It’s important to recognize those people who have inspired us and the BET Honors is a great way to do that,” says David Nordstrom, Lexus vice president of marketing. “It’s also a chance for up-and-comers to be showcased and we’re proud to be aligned with Ryan Leslie. He is an amazing talent who has partnered with us to create an engaging way to launch the GX.”
Lexus’ involvement with BET Honors exemplifies the brand’s dedication to encouraging others to embody and emulate the passion and drive of this year’s honorees, each of whom have forged successful careers in their respective industries. The 2010 honorees include legendary songstress Whitney Houston (Entertainment), multi-faceted entertainer Queen Latifah (Media), respected business mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs (Entrepreneur), accomplished educator Ruth Simmons (Education), and world renowned neurosurgeon Keith Black (Public Service).
For more information on THE BET HONORS, visit www.bet.com/bethonors.
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About Lexus
Lexus is the leading luxury automaker in the United States. With its reputation for high-quality products and exemplary customer service from its 228 dealers, Lexus has been the top-selling luxury automaker for ten years in a row. In addition, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader, now offering four hybrids that provide the best in innovative technology and first-class luxury. When Lexus was established in 1989, it offered two models of vehicles. Now, more than 20 years later, Lexus offers variations of 11 models, from the entry-level IS 250 to its first V10 supercar, the LFA.
About BET Networks
BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. ( VIA, VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 98 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.
RELATED LINKS
http://www.bet.com
http://luxuryawaits.com
During the ceremony, Lexus will debut its commercial for the launch of the newly redesigned GX. The commercial features Universal Motown recording artist Ryan Leslie, who has formed a strategic partnership with the luxury automaker. As an emerging artist armed with a Harvard undergraduate degree, Ryan Leslie embodies the style and sophistication of the Lexus brand. The cinematic spot will premiere immediately following Ryan Leslie’s performance on stage at BET Honors.
In addition to the television commercial, the campaign will be accompanied by various digital components online including exclusive downloads and contests. This African American marketing program with Ryan Leslie represents a break from the traditional for Lexus, as the innovative use of social/digital media tools such as Twitter and Facebook will serve as the driving force behind the conversation.
“It’s important to recognize those people who have inspired us and the BET Honors is a great way to do that,” says David Nordstrom, Lexus vice president of marketing. “It’s also a chance for up-and-comers to be showcased and we’re proud to be aligned with Ryan Leslie. He is an amazing talent who has partnered with us to create an engaging way to launch the GX.”
Lexus’ involvement with BET Honors exemplifies the brand’s dedication to encouraging others to embody and emulate the passion and drive of this year’s honorees, each of whom have forged successful careers in their respective industries. The 2010 honorees include legendary songstress Whitney Houston (Entertainment), multi-faceted entertainer Queen Latifah (Media), respected business mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs (Entrepreneur), accomplished educator Ruth Simmons (Education), and world renowned neurosurgeon Keith Black (Public Service).
For more information on THE BET HONORS, visit www.bet.com/bethonors.
###
About Lexus
Lexus is the leading luxury automaker in the United States. With its reputation for high-quality products and exemplary customer service from its 228 dealers, Lexus has been the top-selling luxury automaker for ten years in a row. In addition, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader, now offering four hybrids that provide the best in innovative technology and first-class luxury. When Lexus was established in 1989, it offered two models of vehicles. Now, more than 20 years later, Lexus offers variations of 11 models, from the entry-level IS 250 to its first V10 supercar, the LFA.
About BET Networks
BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. ( VIA, VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 98 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.
RELATED LINKS
http://www.bet.com
http://luxuryawaits.com