CBS AND WILLIAMS-SONOMA WHIP UP EXCLUSIVE PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTING THE NETWORK'S 2005/2006 PRIMETIME LINE-UP
First Direct Marketing Partnership Between Number One Television Network and Leading Upscale Culinary Retailer
CBS Sneak Peek DVD's Which Include Original Material With Stars From New and Returning Series, to be Distributed in Williams-Sonoma Stores, Catalogs and in Packages Nationwide
Promotional Material Featured on Williams-Sonoma's Website
CBS, America's most watched network, and Williams-Sonoma, the leading retailer in upscale culinary ware, have partnered for the first time ever on an exclusive retail campaign to promote the Network's 2005/2006 new primetime schedule. The centerpiece of the campaign is a Sneak Peek DVD featuring original material and previews from the six new series that will be joining CBS's Number One primetime line-up. The DVD's will be distributed in all Williams-Sonoma stores and packages nationwide. In addition, targeted catalogs will include the CBS Sneak Peek DVD, displays in Williams-Sonoma stores will highlight the CBS Fall Line-up and promotional material will be featured on the retailer's website. Williams-Sonoma packages shipped in early fall will contain the DVD as well.
The DVD features simple and innovative cooking segments with culinary expert Tori Ritchie and stars from CBS's "CSI: Miami," "Close to Home" and "Out of Practice." The CBS Sneak Peek DVD will be hosted by Hannah Storm, who also hosts cooking segments with Tori Ritchie on the CBS "Early Show."
"This is the evolution of a partnership that has already reaped many rewards for both Williams-Sonoma and CBS," said George Schweitzer, President, CBS Marketing Group. "We've enjoyed a fruitful relationship with the 'Early Show,' and this new campaign takes that collaboration one giant step forward. We're confident that the penetration in mall and retail centers across the country that Williams-Sonoma offers, as well as their upscale customer base, makes them the ideal partner to launch what is going to be television's most anticipated new schedule."
"What began as a six part series on the CBS 'Early Show' called 'The Perfect Thanksgiving' has grown into a remarkable partnership," said Pat Connolly, Chief Marketing Officer, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. "We are always looking for ways to introduce Williams-Sonoma to new customers and reinforce our brand with existing ones and this partnership with CBS is a perfect way to attain these goals."
As part of the promotion, CBS talent Christopher Gorham, star of the new Monday night comedy series "Out of Practice;" Jennifer Finnigan, who stars in the new Tuesday night Jerry Bruckheimer drama "Close to Home;" and Khandi Alexander, star of Monday night's biggest hit "CSI: Miami," will participate in a variety of cooking segments with Ritchie. All of the segments, for the DVD were produced at Williams-Sonoma's Columbus Circle store in the Time Warner Center in New York City.
The DVD also contains "The Early Show"/Williams-Sonoma "Five Minute Cooking School" series and holiday cooking segments that have aired on the Network morning show. Featured holidays include Thanksgiving, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Father's Day and Fourth of July, and viewers can learn to prepare asparagus, risotto, summer salad and more in the cooking school segments.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is a national specialty retailer of high quality products for the home. These products are marketed through more than 515 retail stores, eight mail order catalogs (Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Bed + Bath, pottery barn kids, PBteen, west elm, Hold Everything and Williams-Sonoma Home). The company is headquartered in San Francisco.
CBS Television is comprised of the CBS Television Network -- with over 200 owned and affiliated stations reaching virtually every television home in the United States; the Network�s programming arms CBS Entertainment, CBS News and CBS Sports; and CBS Enterprises, a global leader in distribution.
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