BET Hip Hop Awards to Highlight Strategic Partnerships

In support of the BET Hip Hop Awards ‘08, the #1 hip hop themed telecast on television for the past two years, BET Networks announced unique marketing partnerships with Nike, MySpace Music, Comcast, Toyota, Alltel Wireless and Fox Searchlight.

Each of these high-profile sponsors will be featured in creative, compelling marketing executions surrounding the third annual show.

BET Networks has partnered with Nike on a first-of-its-kind, limited edition Nike and BET Air Force 1 sneaker. As the official “kicks” of the BET Hip Hop Awards ‘08, this exclusive product will be aligned with the world’s hottest hip-hop artists, whose careers have been built and nurtured by the BET brand. The sneaker will be a new type of crushed patent leather never done before by the company — with only 250 pairs being made and not for sale in stores.

Additionally, 106 & PARK co-host Terrence unveiled the Nike Hip Hop Awards Air Force 1 on the #1 music variety show on cable television on Wednesday, October 15. Terrence — who was wearing his own pair of Air Force 1s — crowned scheduled guest Ludacris the “sneaker king” of the BET Hip Hop Awards ‘08 and blessed him with the AF1s as a promotion for the show.

On the heels of the successful Hot16 Contest collaboration, BET and MySpace Music are bringing together the largest hip hop awards show on TV (BET Hip Hop Awards ‘08) and one of the largest online hip hop communities (MySpace Music) in a promotional partnership for the BET Hip Hop Awards ‘08.

MySpace Music will promote the event, and will be the branding partner for the first ever “MySpace Rookie of the Year” award category, both on TV and on the official BET Hip Hop Awards ‘08 micro-site.

Additional sponsors for the BET Hip Hop Awards ‘08 include Toyota, who is sponsoring the show’s red carpet and will be featuring the new 2009 Yaris Liftback; Alltel Wireless, sponsor of the Alltel Wireless People’s Champ Award; and Fox Searchlight, which will be airing an exclusive trailer for the new film Notorious about the life of late rapper Notorious B.I.G. during the awards show.