Hardee’s Gears up to Sponsor First Race in the New SLOTCAR Web
Video Series
Original Online Programming Pokes Fun at the World of Auto Racing
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hardee’s® has signed on as the premier sponsor of the
original Web video series, SLOTCAR. The no-holds-barred videos, produced
by Animax/Unplugged, launches online this week and parodies one of
America’s largest and favorite sports – stock car auto racing.
“We produce each webisode only a week out from the launch date, so we
are able to keep the content fresh and topical,” said Tim Jones, COO of
Animax. “If something big happens in a race on Saturday, you’re going to
see it spoofed on the next SLOTCAR webisode. Expect to see highlight
packages, driver bios, controversial stories, rumors, speculation and
good old non-stop action.”
The humorous SLOTCAR videos are 1-2 minutes in length and follow the
same format as the sport it satires. Each new webisode will be released
to coincide with key dates on the 2009 racing schedule.
“Hardee’s is known for our innovative burgers as well as our edgy
advertising,” said Brad Haley, EVP of Marketing for Hardee’s Food
Systems, “So we were thrilled to partner with a company known for
producing original and very funny online content. The SLOTCAR series
manages to blend a popular sport with the kind of irreverent sense of
humor that we know our ‘Young, Hungry Guy’ customers enjoy, so we are
happy to be able to help make it available it to them.”
SLOTCAR is produced by Animax/Unplugged. Animax has a proven track
record (pun intended) having won the first-ever Broadband Emmy for
ESPN’s “Off-Mikes.” The webisodes will be directed by sought-after
commercial director Richard D’Alessio (Unplugged TV), who has three
Cannes Lions to his credit and has worked alongside Barry Levinson and
Jerry Seinfeld as the animation director for the pioneering webisodic
series, “Adventures of Seinfeld and Superman.” D’Alessio was also the
creative force behind “Knob Hockey,” a similar web series spoofing NHL
that has enjoyed 3 successful seasons in Canada.
The first full webisode featuring a Hardee’s slotcar will launch Sat.,
Feb. 7th on www.Slotcar2009.com
and www.hardees.com.
Sister chain, Carl’s Jr., is also a series sponsor and will be featured
in future webisodes that will be seen in their entirety on www.carlsjr.com.
About Animax/Unplugged:
Animax was founded in 2001 by Emmy-winning writer/producer/actor Dave
Thomas ("SCTV," "Grace Under Fire," "Brother Bear") and Andrew Bain,
owner of multiple advertising and production companies in Europe. Animax
Entertainment www.animaxent.com
is an award-winning entertainment studio specializing in producing
character-driven content for all screens. Animax Unplugged www.animaxunplugged.com
is a branded entertainment studio that develops and produces original
content supported with interactive marketing campaigns. Combining
engaging creative with an eye for seamless branding, Animax Unplugged
creates online experiences that increase brand equity.
About Hardee’s
Celebrating more than 48 years in the quick-service industry, Hardee’s
Food Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of CKE Restaurants, Inc.
(NYSE:CKR) of Carpinteria, Calif. As of the third fiscal quarter ended
November 3, 2008, CKE Restaurants, Inc., through its subsidiaries, had a
total of 3,110 franchised, licensed or company-operated restaurants in
42 states and in 14 countries, including 1,185 Carl’s Jr. restaurants
and 1,912 Hardee’s restaurants. For more information, or to find a
Hardee’s near you, go to www.ckr.com
or www.hardees.com.
Animax Entertainment
Angie Light, 818-374-1351 x283
press@animaxent.com
or
Hardee’s
Jenna
Petroff, 314-259-6277
jpetroff@ckr.com
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