Bangkok--5 Jul--Total Quality PR
AXN unveils the identity of the reality show’s host and regional sponsors as production reaches a new milestone
Leading international action and adventure cable channel, AXN (Ch.19, UBC), the heart of action and adventure television, today announced a new milestone in the biggest AXN Original Production to date: the hugely anticipated identity of the host of The Amazing Race Asia and the identities of the eight key sponsors.
Fans of The Amazing Race Asia will be thrilled to know that the host of The Amazing Race Asia is none other than hunky Singapore-based TV personality Allan Wu! Having participated in an AXN signature programme, the US reality series Fear Factor, Allan Wu is no stranger to AXN viewers around the region.
Creating the first Asian edition of highly popular US reality series Amazing Race, AXN was in search for a host that could not only relate to various Asian cultures but who would be able to keep up with the intense physical demands of the race. “Having participated in another world-class TV show, Allan Wu understands what it takes to be the host of The Amazing Race Asia. He embodies the spirit of AXN and The Amazing Race Asia. As a B!G fan of The Amazing Race, Allan will be able to give interesting insight to the Asian version of this hit reality show. And it doesn't hurt that Allan is easy on the eyes. His good looks and natural charisma will offer a different appeal from the US version, and will definitely ‘Wu’ new fans for The Amazing Race Asia,” said Ricky Ow, General Manager, SPE Networks — Asia.
Allan Wu is exuberant about his new role as host. “Being selected as the first host of The Amazing Race Asia has been nothing but pure excitement. We know the formula is already there and it works great but in this Asian edition, we get to be a little bit closer to home which is something that we all can relate to. I think it will also be very exciting and entertaining to watch different Asian teams compete against each other,” he said.
This latest milestone of the first-ever Asian Edition of three-time Emmy award-winning reality series, The Amazing Race marks a pivotal moment of the production. Ow said, “The Amazing Race Asia is truly a WOW project that will raise the bar of all original productions in the region. AXN is thrilled to have on board eight key sponsors to ensure the production is a resounding success. We are thankful for the support and generosity of all our sponsors and partners in making this dream a reality.”
Business leaders in their own industry, the sponsors of The Amazing Race Asia are strongly committed to provide consumers with a lifestyle of fun, adventure and thrills. The Amazing Race Asia is supported by Malaysia Tourism and Promotion Board, and the regional sponsors are: Official Camera Partner - Sony Electronics Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd, Official Airline Partner - AirAsia, Caltex, MSN, Official Mobile Partner — Nokia, and Official Hospitality Partner - Bintan Lagoon Resort and Bintan Resorts. Ford is a local sponsor.
Ow further commented, “We are delighted with the strong show of support from each sponsor. They are venturing into a new production with the utmost faith in AXN as we embark on something that has never been done before in Asia. The strong working relations that we have are evident in this collaboration.”
Rolling out the announcement of sponsors and host are The Amazing Race Asia road shows in the region to engage the public. As the excitement of Asia’s very own Amazing Race begins to build up, AXN will be holding the B!GGEST! Amazing Race Fan Tour from July to October in Seoul, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Delhi.
Filming of the reality show concluded at the end of June and will soon move into post-production. The premiere of The Amazing Race Asia is set for the later part of 2006.
The Amazing Race Asia Promotional Tour
8th July - Seoul, Korea 9th September - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Coex Millennium Plaza Berjaya Times Square
5th August - Bangkok, Thailand 30th September — Manila, Philippines
Siam Square SM Mega Mall
26th August — Singapore 8th October — Delhi, India
Suntec City Ansal Plaza
About AXN
Delivering top rated series, blockbuster features, adventure-reality and first-run lifestyle sports programming, AXN is a leading international television destination among young adults 18-34. AXN is seen in 50 countries across Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East, and is part of Sony Pictures Television International’s diverse portfolio of over 40 global networks. Sony Pictures Television International is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.
AXN Asia is available to more than 37 million households 24-hours daily throughout Asia in Taiwan, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Japan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Cambodia, South Korea, Macau, Papua New Guinea, Nepal, Maldives, Mongolia and in hotels and VIP compounds in China. AXN can also be seen in 40 million cable television households on time-block basis in China. More information about AXN Asia can be found online at www.axn-asia.com .
About Sony Electronics Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.
Based in Singapore, Sony Electronics Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. (SEAP) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation. Operating since 1 July 1999, SEAP serves as the regional management and marketing headquarters for Sony’s consumer electronic products serving S. E. Asia, Oceania, Middle East and Africa regions. For more information on Sony’s products and services in Asia Pacific, please visit www.sony-asia.com
About Sony Corporation
Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and on-line businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading personal broadband entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of approximately $64 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006. For more information on Sony Corporation, please visit www.sony.net
About AirAsia
The multi-award winning airline, AirAsia is no stranger to charting milestones throughout its 4? year old operations and has made it possible for everyone to fly with its incredibly competitive low fares. A winner of the prestigious ATW’s Market Leadership Award and Euromoney’s Best Managed Company in the Airlines and Aviation sector, AirAsia revolutionized air travel in the region to become the leading and largest low fare airline in Asia. AirAsia together with its associates Thai AirAsia and Indonesia has to date carried over 19 million passengers. The airline’s extensive network presently serves 60 domestic and international flights to Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Macau, China (Xiamen), Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines. For more information, log on to www.airasia.com .
About Caltex
Chevron Corporation is one of the world's largest integrated energy companies. With more than 53,000 employees, Chevron subsidiaries conduct business in approximately 180 countries around the world, producing and transporting crude oil and natural gas, and refining, marketing and distributing fuels and other energy products. Chevron is based in San Ramon, California. Chevron sells petroleum products around the world under the Chevron, Texaco and Caltex brands, as well as a number of other brands, including Havoline? and Delo? oils. Caltex products and its associated brands are sold in approximately 30 countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.
About MSN and Windows Live
MSN attracts more than 465 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 42 markets, including 12 markets in Asia, MSN is a world leader in delivering compelling programmed content experiences to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide. Windows Live?, a new set of personal Internet services and software, is designed to bring together in one place all the relationships, information and interests people care about most, with enhanced safety and security features across their PC, devices and the Web. MSN and Windows Live will be offered alongside each other as complementary services. Some Windows Live services entered an early beta phase on Nov. 1, 2005; these and future beta updates can be found at http://ideas.live.com . Windows Live is available at http://www.live.com . MSN is located on the Web at http://www.msn.com . MSN worldwide sites are located at http://www.msn.com/worldwide.ashx .
About Nokia Nseries
Nokia Nseries is a range of high performance multimedia devices that delivers unparalleled mobile multimedia experiences by combining the latest technologies with stylish design and ease of use. With Nokia Nseries products, consumers can use a single device to enjoy entertainment, access information and to capture and share pictures and videos, whenever and wherever they want. www.nokia.com/nseries
About Nokia
A market leader in the cellular industry in Asia Pacific, Nokia provides innovative, industry leading and market-relevant technology and products to around 20 diverse markets in the region. Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations.
You may visit the Nokia Asia-Pacific website at http://www.nokia-asia.com or the Nokia Group website at http://www.nokia.com .
About Bintan Lagoon Resort
Sprawled over 300 hectares of beachfront gardens in the tropical paradise of Bintan, a 55-minute ferry ride from Singapore, Bintan Lagoon Resort is positioned as the premier tropical lifestyle destination for leisure, golf and MICE activities. The Resort boasts 473 contemporary rooms, suites and villas complemented by an impressive range of 11 dining options and seven function rooms. Its key recreational offerings are the two world-renowned 18-hole golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Ian Baker-Finch complemented by wide-ranging sea sports and land activities. For the ultimate in indulgence and rejuvenation, the Resort offers traditional Javanese spa therapies based on native ingredients.
About Bintan Resorts
Bintan Resorts is a tropical beach resort-destination facing the South China Sea and spreads across the northern shores of Bintan Island in Indonesia’s Riau Archipelago.
Set amidst pristine white-sand beaches, clear blue waters and lush tropical greenery, Bintan Resorts offers a good variety of beach resorts and hotels catering to all tastes and budgets, four designer golf courses, exotic Indonesian spas, all manner of exciting watersports and a fascinating array of nature and culture tours.
Bintan Resorts is easily accessible by comfortable modern ferries from the international gateway city of Singapore, thus providing visitors the perfect “city-and-resort” travel twinning experience. It is also easily accessible via the domestic ferry link with neighbouring Batam Island. ( www.bintan-resorts.com .)
About Ford Malaysia
Ford Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. is a joint venture between Ford Motor Company and Sime Darby Berhad. Its product range includes the Focus, Escape, Everest, Ranger and Econovan.
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 300,000 employees and 108 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.fordvehicles.com .
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