Monday, August 21, 2006

Volkswagen Rocks on at Download 2006

Text from Volkswagen of America.
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Volkswagen of America, Inc., announced today that it is the official automotive sponsor of the second annual Download Festival, Live Nation’s premiere music and technology festival that will descend upon the U.S. in Boston on August 20 and San Francisco on September 30.

As the official automotive sponsor, Volkswagen will have a major presence at the Download events, with several vehicles – including the all-new Eos, GTI, Jetta and Rabbit models – taking center stage as artist shuttle service and product displays. Additionally, in between the two festival dates, Volkswagen will sponsor two club venue events, called Volkswagen Road to Download, featuring Kasabian in Philadelphia on September 21 and a second location to be announced soon.

The VW Garage – a garage-style lounge – and an artist interaction stage offer a unique place for festival-goers to experience Volkswagen. The artist interaction stage will feature Q&A sessions with Download talent, including 311 and Jurassic 5 in Boston. VW will digitally record budding musicians who choose to jam in the VW Garage and spotlight their riffs on vw.com. Hammocks, couches and ping-pong tables will beckon festival-goers to come and chill at the Garage, where they can also pick up free VW-branded merchandise like bandannas, guitar picks, LED keychain lights, and t-shirts.

Volkswagen will give back to the music community by raffling off a First Act guitar signed by the musicians at the Boston show. The raffle will benefit the Berklee College of Music’s City Music Program. The charity recipients for the San Francisco and VW Road to Download shows will soon be announced.

“Volkswagen has a rich history of supporting pioneering music properties and emerging artists,” said Heidi Korte, Brand Promotions Manager. “The Download Festival is innovative in its pairing of music with technology and speaks directly to the type of tech-savvy people who buy Volkswagens.”

A VW Roadside Assistance Team will travel the parking lot, passing out CDs and branded blankets to lucky festival-goers. Volkswagen will also reward its loyal Owners with convenient parking and a chance to win VIP access, including seat upgrades, backstage Meet and Greet passes, commemorative keychains and exclusive on-line access to streaming video from Download 2006.

Joining 311 and Jurassic 5 on the Boston bill at the Tweeter Center will be Dropkick Murphys, G. Love & Special Sauce, The Wailers, Pepper, Black 47, State Radio and Parker House & Theory. Beck will headline the San Francisco show on September 30 at the Shoreline Amphitheater. Information about the complete lineups can be found at www.downloadfestival.com.

Leading up to the events, Volkswagen will be featured in a variety of pre-promotional initiatives, including color ads in Rolling Stone magazine, television spots and outdoor advertising.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, Jetta, GTI, GLI, Passat, Passat Wagon, and Touareg through more than 600 independent U.S. dealers.