LINCOLN MKX GETS STAR TURN IN USA'S NEWEST ORIGINAL SERIES "NECESSARY ROUGHNESS"

On-Air and Digital Campaigns Extend Reach with Compelling Organic Integration and USA's Popular Social TV Platform Character Chatter

NEW YORK - August 16, 2011 - USA Network today announced an on-air and digital campaign with Lincoln for the original series NECESSARY ROUGHNESS. Lincoln was the exclusive presenting partner for the limited commercial series premiere on Wednesday, June 29, at 10/9c and will be the exclusive category sponsor for the season finale on Wednesday, September 14. The Lincoln MKX premium midsize crossover is featured across multiple platforms including in-show integration as Dr. Dani Santino's (Callie Thorne) personal car and digitally as the presenting sponsor of USA's Character Chatter, which includes two talent-hosted live chats on Wednesday, September 7 and 14.

"We're excited to be featuring Lincoln across multiple touch points that give our viewers a 2-screen social TV experience accessible on all platforms including smart phones, tablets, computers, and TVs," said Alexandra Shapiro, senior vice president, brand marketing and digital, USA. "We anticipate that this partnership will highlight the MKX's innovative features in an engaging and entertaining way that resonates with USA viewers."

As NECESSARY ROUGHNESS nears its finale, Lincoln and USA will bring fans inside the huddle for an up-close and personal interactive social experience through a partnership around USA's Character Chatter (www.characterchatter.com). During the last two episodes, members of the cast or producers will be "on the clock" and available for real-time hosted conversations. Fans will have the opportunity to log in to Character Chatter through a host of social media portals, ask real-time questions and receive real-time answers.

"It's a great opportunity to introduce Lincoln's latest styling and advanced technologies to fans of NECESSARY ROUGHNESS without taking them out of the moment," said Connie Fontaine, manager of Lincoln Marketing Communications, "The Lincoln MKX is both versatile and intuitive and fits in naturally with the storylines and Dr. Dani Santino's character."

In NECESSARY ROUGHNESS, when Dr. Dani Santino (Callie Thorne) finds her husband cheating, her personal life unravels. Diving fully into her work, she takes on the challenge of rehabbing a bad boy professional football player (Mehcad Brooks) whose off-the-field antics threaten his career and the team franchise. Underestimated at every turn, she succeeds beyond expectations and soon finds herself as the most sought-after therapist for high-profile clients. Athletes, entertainers, politicians and others living in the spotlight clamor for her unique brand of tough love therapy during their moments of crisis. Although her career is reenergized, it wreaks havoc on her life as a newly minted single mom of two teenagers. Recognizing her ability to change people's lives, she's determined to strike a balance between both worlds. The series also stars Marc Blucas and Scott Cohen and is created and executive produced by Liz Kruger & Craig Shapiro. Kevin Dowling directed the pilot and also serves as executive producer. Jeffrey Lieber also serves as executive producer. Inspired by a true story, NECESSARY ROUGHNESS is a Sony Pictures Television and Universal Cable Productions co-production, and shoots in Atlanta, GA.

About Lincoln

Lincoln is the luxury automotive brand for Ford Motor Company, committed to becoming a world-class luxury brand with compelling vehicles and an exceptional ownership experience to match. Lincoln will launch seven new or significantly refreshed models in the next three years. For all the latest information, please visit Lincoln at facebook.com/lincoln, media.lincoln.com, or www.lincoln.com.

About USA Network

USA Network is the #1 network in all of basic cable and is seen in over 102 million U.S. homes. A division of NBCUniversal, USA is the cable television leader in original series and home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, acquired television series and entertainment events. The award-winning USA website is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.

USA Network is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.