FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Visit www.volvocars.us/thehunt today to participate in Volvo’s promotion with Disney for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (June 27, 2006) - Maybe they are at their computers, treasure map in hand, dressed in swashbuckling garb with a sea-traveled parrot resting on their shoulder. Or, maybe not. Either way, nearly 30,000 Americans are now participating in Volvo Car Corporation’s global, multi-media treasure hunt for a Volvo XC90 V8 that has been buried somewhere in the world.
The treasure hunt is part of Volvo Cars’ official promotion of Disney’s upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. To participate, through July 11, individuals nationwide must visit their local Volvo retailer to pick up a free treasure map and start The Hunt process. Next, they register online at www.volvocars.us/thehunt and participate in an engaging and fun-filled adventure to solve a series of online clues and puzzles through July 12. Individuals registering now that The Hunt is in progress can catch up with other participants if they correctly answer the puzzles posted online as they are emailed to participants.
“This is a challenging treasure hunt, and to already have 30,000 people actively participating halfway through this first stage is exciting,” said Anne Bélec, president and chief executive officer of Volvo Cars of North America. “With this promotion, we sought a unique way to extend the Volvo brand and bring individuals into our retail facilities, and we’re delighted with the results.”
The buried one-of-a-kind, pirate-themed Volvo XC90 features a variety of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest-inspired elements, including menacing graphics from the film, black leather seats, custom painted 20 inch wheels and more.
On August 4, three U.S. Hunt finalists who have correctly guessed the vehicle’s location will be flown with a guest to the secret car burial site. Each finalist, along with four finalists from other participating countries, will then complete a manic on-the-ground search for the buried vehicle. The first treasure hunter to unearth the SUV gets to keep it. Winners will only be eligible if they can produce the original treasure map upon conclusion of the hunt.
In addition to the United States, other Volvo regions participating in the hunt include the United Kingdom, Japan, Spain and Austria.
So far into The Hunt, treasure hunters are actively sharing clues and tips on the official The Hunt blog at http://spaces.msn.com/vcnathehunt. “The blog site has been a great way to bring the community of buried Volvo hunters together,” Bélec added. “One participant even wrote a poem about The Hunt. You know, it’s not everyday you see something like that.”
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest opens in U.S. theaters July 7.
Volvo’s promotion of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest grew out of the partnership with Disney for the worldwide Volvo Ocean Race. The Volvo ship bears the name of the same boat in the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie, “The Black Pearl.” The Ocean Race began in Vigo, Spain on Nov. 12, 2005 and ended in Gothenburg, Sweden on June 17, 2006.
About Volvo Cars of North America
Volvo has been building cars with Safety in mind for over 75 years. The current 2006 model line-up of Volvo Cars includes: the award-winning new S40 and its wagon counterpart the all-new V50; the award-winning XC90; the sporty S60 sedan – including the award-winning performance sedan – S60 R and the performance wagon version – V70 R; the S80 luxury sedan; the versatile V70 wagon and rugged XC70 (Cross Country); and the soon-to-be released new Volvo C70, the convertible with the innovative retractable hardtop.
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Contact:
Kim McMartin,
Haberman & Associates,
612-372-6464,
kim@modernstorytellers.com.
Roger Ormisher,
Volvo Cars of North America,
949-341-6715,
rormishe@volvocars.com.
