"Mad Men" Fans Who Shop at Banana Republic Have a Unique Chance to Win a Walk-On Role
New York, NY – July 10, 2009 – To celebrate the much anticipated third season of "Mad Men," AMC and Banana Republic are launching a marketing partnership that will feature "Mad Men" in all of Banana Republic’s North American retail locations during the three weeks leading up to the season premiere on Sunday, August 16 at 10pm EST/CST. The campaign will mark the first time the national retailer has featured an original scripted drama series in-stores. The promotion will leverage the strength of both brands to cross-promote the upcoming season and showcase classic workplace fashion with a modern take from Banana Republic.
From July 21st through August 11th, "Mad Men" will be promoted in every Banana Republic retail location, in over 400 stores, throughout the U.S. and Canada. Banana Republic windows will feature mannequins dressed in modern takes on classic, iconic 1960s style, along with "Mad Men" imagery and season three tune-in details. Banana Republic will be creating a Style Guide profiling the "Mad Men" character profiles and images alongside quintessential work looks from Banana Republic. The Guide will also be available in stores, while supplies last, beginning Tuesday, July 21st and will offer U.S. customers a free gift-with-purchase – a free iTunes download of the pilot episode from season one of "Mad Men" as well as an exclusive look at "Mad Men" style.
"It is incredibly rewarding that ’Mad Men’ is recognized for it’s unique story-telling style, and is also satisfying that the show has helped inform and shape popular culture. The iconic 1960s style depicted in ’Mad Men’ is unquestionably a character in the show, and the Banana Republic partnership is testament to the broad influence the series has had on the world of design," said Charlie Collier, president and general manager of AMC. "This unique marketing campaign offers an enormous nationwide platform to showcase the August premiere and further underscores how the appeal and relevance of this AMC original series continues to grow."
AMC and Banana Republic will also co-sponsor a contest where customers can enter to win a walk-on role for an upcoming episode plus a $1,000 gift card from Banana Republic. Shoppers will be able to pick up their "ticket" to enter the contest at any Banana Republic store in the U.S. and Canada between July 21st and August 11th. Customers will use the ticket code also found on the Style Guide to enter the casting call at madmencastingcall.amctv.com. This code will allow customers to upload photos of themselves wearing their best "Mad Men" look, male or female. Banana Republic will send email newsletter blasts to its customer database detailing the casting call contest and promoting tune-in to the season three premiere. AMC will also pre-promote the casting call contest on-air and online, driving consumers to the retail locations.
"Style and fashion are at the core of "Mad Men" with its 1960’s aesthetic highlighting the classic silhouettes that are still popular today," said Jack Calhoun, president of Banana Republic. "Banana Republic is known for its modern takes on these classics, such as the suit, trench coat and classic white shirt, so the partnership is a natural fit for both brands."
"Mad Men" debuted in July 2007 and has gone on to win multiple Emmy® Awards, including the Emmy® for Outstanding Drama Series, a first for a basic cable series. It is also the only basic cable series to win the Golden Globe Award two years in a row (2007 and 2008) for Best Television Series-Drama and was the recipient of a Peabody Award in 2008. It has gained unprecedented recognition and has been hailed as, "One of the most critically acclaimed TV shows ever," by The New York Post. TV Guide called it, "madly, marvelously mesmerizing," while The New York Times said, "It’s a sleek, hard boiled drama with a soft, satirical core." USA Today said, "If this is the future of TV, the future is looking good."
"Mad Men" is created, written and executive produced by Matthew Weiner (Executive Producer/Writer, "The Sopranos"), co-executive produced by Scott Hornbacher ("The Sopranos"), and produced by Lionsgate. AMC’s Joel Stillerman, SVP of original programming, production and digital content, Jeremy Elice, VP of original programming and Vlad Wolynetz, VP of Production, Series and Movies, oversee development and production for the network.
About AMC
AMC – the most Emmy®-winning basic cable network of 2008 – reigns as the only basic cable network to win back-to-back Golden Globes® for Best Television Series – Drama and boasts a comprehensive library of the most entertaining movies of all time. Whether commemorating favorite films from every genre and decade or creating acclaimed original productions, the AMC experience is an uncompromising celebration of great stories. AMC’s original stories include the Emmy® Award-winning dramas Mad Men and Breaking Bad, the upcoming miniseries The Prisoner and insightful non-scripted programming such as AMC Storymakers and AMC News. AMC further demonstrates its commitment to the art of storytelling with curated movie franchises like AMC Hollywood Icon and AMC Complete Collection. Available in more than 94 million homes (Source: Nielsen Media Research), AMC is a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, which includes sister networks IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv. AMC is available across all platforms including on-air, online, on demand and mobile. AMC: Story Matters HereSM.
About Banana Republic
Banana Republic is an accessible luxury brand, offering high-quality apparel and accessories collections for men and women. Delivering elevated design and luxurious fabrications at approachable prices, Banana Republic has been credited with helping make fashion more accessible. The brand offers elevated essentials and sophisticated seasonal collections of accessories, shoes, personal care products and intimate apparel. From work to casual occasions, Banana Republic offers covetable, uncomplicated style.