LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Alltel Wireless, America's largest network, today announced the launch of its season-long "My Celebrity Circle" program that gives pro football fans the opportunity to add four of the game's top wide receivers to their "Circle" of friends. To participate in the promotion, every Wednesday from Sept. 13 - Dec. 27, 2006, Alltel Wireless customers can dial a shortcode access number corresponding to their favorite player - Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald (#LARRY11), Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (#STEVE89), Cleveland Browns' Joe Jurevicius (#JOE84) or New Orleans Saints' Joe Horn (#JOE87). The call is free and automatically enters the fan for a chance to win prizes, including game tickets, autographed memorabilia and VIP treatment for themselves and their "Circle" of 10 friends.
In addition, customers who dial the player's access number will also receive a passcode to unlock that player's exclusive "Circle Only" website. Each site will include sweepstakes information, updated player content and a weekly "Alltel Audibles" podcast. Fans can listen to the podcast from the players' personal website or download the content to their Alltel Wireless handsets.
Local radio personalities from each team's flagship station including Deke Bellavia (New Orleans), Ron Wolfey (Arizona), Mark "Munch" Bishop (Cleveland), and Mick Mixon (Carolina) will host the players' weekly "Alltel Audibles" podcasts. As part of each podcast, the receivers will recap the previous week's game, preview the following week's opponent, offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their off-the-gridiron life and answer select mailbag questions submitted by fans.
"'My Celebrity Circle' underscores our customer-first philosophy by leveraging our pro football team sponsorships and relationships with four of the game's marquee players to reward our valued customers and their 'Circles' of friends," said Frank O'Mara, executive vice president, sales and marketing for Alltel Wireless. "With weekly 'Alltel Audibles' podcasts, and exclusive lifestyle content on the player websites, football fans from all over the country can now stay connected with their favorite players."
"I'm looking forward to my weekly podcasts and participating in Alltel's 'My Celebrity Circle' program," said Steve Smith. "For the first time in my career, I have a chance to communicate directly with Panther fans and answer my fan mail live."
New passcodes and "Alltel Audibles" podcast content from each player will be released to Alltel Wireless customers every Wednesday through Dec. 27. Alltel customers will have exclusive access to the site's content for 48 hours and may forward the weekly passcode to 10 friends. The podcasts will then be released to the general public through RSS feeds each Friday.
Additionally, throughout the season, each player will also participate in a live text chat, make a special appearance at an area Alltel Wireless location and host a private party for 10 sweepstakes winners and their "Circle" of friends. Fans will also have a chance to attend "My Celebrity Circle" Watch Parties at popular sports bars in their local area.
For more information on "My Celebrity Circle," visit the following player websites:
Alltel is owner and operator of the nation's largest wireless network and has more than 11 million wireless customers.
