SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The inaugural Mille Miglia North America Tribute show, produced by Stratus Media Group, Inc. (OTCBB:SMDI) and starring Alain de Cadenet, will premiere Wednesday, November 30 at 8pm EST on Velocity TV, a division of Discovery Communications, Inc. The show will air eleven times over three weeks to an estimated 40 million homes.
The one-hour show follows motoring historian and former international road racer Alain de Cadenet behind the wheel of a 1957 Ferrari Berlinetta 250 GT coupe. The show focuses on de Cadenet, Jackie Jouret, Editor-in-Chief of Bimmer Magazine, Jessica Tullman, Product Communications Manager of Subaru North America, and Jonathon Summers, motoring historian, as they, along with the thirty tribute entrants, take on the three-day, thousand-mile automotive journey across California.
"I think the first round of the Mille Miglia North America Tribute has been absolutely exceptional,” said de Cadenet. “The actual route speaks for itself. All together I think the whole thing has been the most magnificent experience. Great cars, great people, great route, good food. I'm coming back!"
The show documents a new era of the world renowned 84-year old Italian driving event - the Mille Miglia - as it navigates through some of California’s most scenic and historic cities, including Monterey, which has deep Italian roots. Driving on some of the best sports car roads in America, the characters stop and meet unusual individuals in motoring and aerobatic aviation, gain a hands on harvest learning experience at a Central Coast California winery, and document the expedition with a photo blog, all while lending a helping hand, getting their fellow rallyist’s cars back on the road.
“The national broadcast of the inaugural Mille Miglia North America Tribute on Velocity TV gives the Mille Miglia trademark sound recognition in the United States,” said Paul Feller, CEO and President of Stratus. “The show will expand the value of the Mille Miglia North America Tribute brand amongst historic automobile and racing enthusiasts alike and will assist in boosting international participation and viewership in 2012.”
The inaugural North America Tribute will be televised as a one-hour special with multiple prime time airings and will be available to 40 million homes. The show will premiere Wednesday, November 30 at 8pm and will re-air at 11pm that evening, at 3am on Thursday, December 1, and at 1pm on Sunday, December 4. The second week’s showing of the MMNAT TV show will air on Monday, December 5 at 8pm and 11pm, on Tuesday, December 6 at 3am, and Sunday, December 11 at 1pm. The third week’s showing will air at 8pm on Friday, December 16, 4am on Saturday, December 17, and at 1pm on Sunday, December 18.
Sponsors of the inaugural Mille Miglia North America Tribute include World Sponsor, Chopard USA, Presenting Sponsor, Net Optics, Inc., Hagerty Insurance, and Leisure Society.
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 VELOCITY TV
Velocity TV, a division of Discovery Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), is available in approximately 40 million homes and is an upscale men's cable network that provides high-octane programming for its viewers. Velocity TV 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 its 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 Velocity TV, please visit DiscoveryCommunications.com.
ABOUT DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, 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.
ABOUT CHOPARD
For over 150 years, Chopard has built an international reputation for luxurious jewelry designs and impeccably crafted high-precision timepieces. From the founding family to the Scheufele family, who purchased the company in 1963, Chopard continues to be governed by its enduring principles: a penchant for excellence, the pursuit of quality, creativity, independence, and fundamental human respect. For more information please visit www.chopard.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 White, a new standard in personal lifestyle and card services for the global affluent. Available by invitation only, Stratus White is a discreet, elite member & partner community providing exclusive and unparalleled service and access across the luxury product & travel, social, sporting, cultural and philanthropic areas of life, including events and experiences.
www.stratusmediagroup.com
www.stratusmotorsports.com
www.stratuswhite.com
www.millemiglianorthamerica.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release relating to plans, strategies, projections of results, and other statements that are not descriptions of historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Securities Acts of 1933 and 1934. Forward-looking information is inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors. Although the company's management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. The company has no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.