SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Stratus Media Group, Inc. (OTCBB:SMDI) today announces a broadcast agreement with HD Theater, a Discovery Communications subsidiary. The deal enables Stratus to increase the market value to its elite corporate sponsors and provide exclusive coverage of the Mille Miglia North America Tribute in the United States.
“Signing with HD Theater will allow us to televise the launch of the Miglia North America Tribute to its target audience,” said Paul Feller, CEO and President of Stratus. “The national broadcast deal gives the world renowned Mille Miglia trademark, the Red Arrow, and its exclusive supporting sponsors, further opportunity for increased recognition and notability in North America. This translates to greater market value for the Mille Miglia Tribute.”
The inaugural North America Tribute will be televised as a one-hour special with multiple prime time airings and will be viewed in 40 million homes.
“The North America Mille Miglia Tribute will provide the USA with the essence of what the Mille Miglia is about- its incredible appeal and uniqueness,” stated Sandro Binelli and Alessandro Casali, General Secretary and Chairman of the Mille Miglia Organizing Committee. “We are pleased that the agreement signed by our partner SMDI with HD Theater will give the opportunity to live the experience through the programming.”
Stratus Media Group, under the direction and support of MAC Group, Meet Comunicazione, and the Automobile Club of Brescia, will host the Mille Miglia North America Tribute in October just before the 25th Anniversary of the Santa Barbara Concours d’Elegance. Both Stratus produced events will unite for a weeklong celebration of history, tradition, prestige, and automotive genius.
The Tribute will commence on Tuesday, October 25th with customary events such as a Sealing Ceremony and Opening Vehicle Presentation. The 3-day driving experience begins the morning of Wednesday, October 26th, taking participants from Santa Barbara to Monterey, Napa, San Francisco and Carmel, returning to Santa Barbara on Friday, October 28th. A full public display of MMNAT vehicles will be presented at the Santa Barbara Concours d'Elegance on Saturday, October 29th.
“The Mille Miglia is a challenging driving adventure that connects automotive history and tradition with historic locations,” said Lloyd Bryan Adams, SVP of Entertainment and Executive Producer of the Mille Miglia Special. “HD Theater caters to viewers whose interests include historic and luxury automotive events so this television special is the perfect fit for HD Theater’s automotive entertainment line-up.”
Stratus Media Group (SMDI) is the exclusive licensee of the Mille Miglia North America Tribute in conjunction with the MAC Group, Meet Comunicazione, and San Remo Rally, licensors of the Automobile Club of Brescia, owner and operator of the Italian Mille Miglia.
About HD Theater:
HD Theater, a division of Discovery Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA)(Nasdaq:DISCB)(Nasdaq:DISCK), is available in approximately 40 million homes and is an upscale men's cable network that provides high-octane programming for its viewers. HD Theater programming is diverse, intelligent and engaging, with series geared toward events, with live auctions and world rally championships, real-life adrenaline-pumping shows, and historical and biographical programming. Changing it’s name in the fourth Quarter of 2011 to Velocity, the fully HD network upgrades its Car Programming With Diverse New Original Series and Specials. For more information on HD Theater/Velocity, please visit DiscoveryCommunications.com.
About Discovery Communications:
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA)(Nasdaq:DISCB)(Nasdaq:DISCK) is the world's number one nonfiction media company, reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 180 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Investigation Discovery, Planet Green and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services, including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.
STRATUS MEDIA GROUP
Headquartered in Santa Barbara, CA, with offices in Los Angeles, California; New York City, NY; Geneva, Switzerland; and Perugia, Italy, Stratus Media Group, Inc. (SMDI) is an owner, operator, developer, producer, and marketer of live entertainment events. In addition, the company owns Stratus Rewards Visa White Card, an ultra-exclusive consumer rewards marketing and redemption program.
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www.millemiglianorthamerica.com
Forward-Looking Statements
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