Auburn Hills, MI - G4®, the TV network all about video games and the gamer lifestyle, and Jeep® brand have formed an integrated marketing and programming partnership, aligning the auto maker with G4’s two premier programming events: “E3,” the video game industry’s annual trade show, and G4’s upcoming signature programming tentpole, G-Phoria. In addition, the Jeep brand has created a special commercial to run exclusively on the G4 network. The alliance was announced today by Dale Hopkins, senior vice president, distribution and sales, G4.

“There is a video game revolution taking place - the ‘gamer generation’ is the leading trend influencer in the marketplace and is driving pop culture,” said Hopkins. “The Jeep brand has a history of leveraging the video game industry and has now decided to target the ‘gamer generation’ by creating a commercial that speaks directly to this audience, and by partnering with G4 on our two key programming events: G-Phoria and E3.”

G-Phoria will take place in Hollywood on July 30, and bring together hundreds of artists, game developers, publishers, writers, and gamers for an evening featuring top-name musical acts, interactive game stations, celebrity interviews, and the unveiling of G4’s first video game “Glow Awards,” honoring the best games of the last 12 months.

Jeep Brand and G4 Marketing Partnership
"Currently, 155 million people play games - more than 60% of the U.S. population,” said Jeff Bell, vice president, Jeep, DaimlerChrysler Corporation. "We know there are major opportunities that exist with gamers and we started communicating with them a couple of years ago, with our own Jeep games. It’s true that gamers play in a virtual world, but that world is far from static. We are constantly looking at automotive marketing in new ways - leveraging existing opportunities, creating new ones and exploring the future. A relationship with G4, and a TV commercial that speaks to gamers in their own language, was the natural next step for the Jeep brand in the video game arena."

Jeep will be integrated into G4’s six hours of G-Phoria-specific programming, as well as sponsor the “G4 Legend Award.” Programming includes:

Achieving the Glow - Five 30-minute specials airing throughout the summer that lead up to the live event, each focusing on a different aspect of the show: Musicians, Actors, Athletes, Game Developers and Gamers

Pre-Phoria - a one-hour special featuring Glow Award nominees

G-Phoria Special, a 90-minute show airing August 8 and featuring highlights of the July 30 live event

G-Phoria Wrap-Up Special - a one-hour program to air on G4’s news program, Pulse

The Jeep presence at G-Phoria will include vehicles on site at the Hollywood venue, as well as a G4-branded customized Wrangler, which will then travel to various events throughout the year.

Jeep also will be identified as a presenting sponsor of G-Phoria in all of G4’s on-air, online and off-channel promotional and marketing campaigns, including comprehensive print and TV advertising, on-site signage, and other collateral and branding materials. Additionally, Jeep will be included in in-store and point-of-purchase materials at EB Games’ 800 stores nationwide. The leading video-game retailer is also a presenting sponsor of G-Phoria.

Jeep Creates Video Game-Centric Ad for G4

Reaching out to G4’s gamer audience, Jeep created a unique, 30-second ad designed to resonate with G4 viewers. The spot combines computer-generated imagery - just like the graphics in today’s most popular video games - with live-action footage of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon in action. The 30-second spot was created by BBDO Detroit, the agency of record for Chrysler Group, and will run throughout the summer.

The Jeep/G-Phoria alliance comes on the heels of Jeep’s May sponsorship of G4 programming at the recent Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), the video game trade show held in Los Angeles May 14-16.

Jeep Brand and G4 Marketing Partnership

About G4
G4 is the Comcast-owned 24-hour, seven-day-a-week television network dedicated to the world of video games. Targeted to young adults 12-34, G4 is committed to creating a lifestyle brand that is the premier source of entertainment, news and information about electronic games, including video, computer, online and wireless platforms. G4 currently has distribution to approximately 10 million digital cable homes on Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications, Insight and Mediacom systems. For more information, visit www.g4tv.com .