EXCITING PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCED AS M-NET AND COCA COLA

Two of Africa’s biggest brands are uniting around the continent’s biggest reality series as Coca Cola and M-Net today announced their exciting new partnership around the upcoming BIG BROTHER AMPLIFIED. The world’s largest soft drink brand has become a headline sponsor for M-Net’s 91 day reality super-series set to launch on DStv on Sunday May 1. According to M-Net Africa Managing Director Biola Alabi, the relationship between the two companies opens a fresh new future for the Big

Brother Africa franchise. “We are thrilled that

M-Net Africa MD Biola Alabi and Nigerian Coca Cola Marketing Manager Austin Ufomba.

, one of the most innovative and iconic companies on the globe has formed a strategic alliance with M-Net for what is our most dynamic show on the continent. This is a testament to the power of this series and the enduring popularity it enjoys with audiences through Africa for its themes of African unity, cultural diversity and fun entertainment.”

She goes on to say, “M-Net is confident that with Coca Cola we can bring to Big Brother fans, whose loyalty to and enthusiasm for the series is the driving force behind its success, a fantastic fresh new season of Big Brother!”

Coca-Cola Nigeria marketing director, Austin Ufomba said "Coca-Cola is delighted to partner with M-Net to refresh and amplify Big Brother Africa, the hugely popular reality TV show that has become a unifying entertainment platform for the continent's youth".

He explained his company's rationale for the partnership. "This partnership advances our objective to connect to our consumers' passion points. It also presents us with a valued opportunity to help dial up integrative cross-cultural conversations among the youth of this very diverse continent." He continues, "As a brand, Coca-Cola has consistently promoted Friendship, Optimism and Happiness - all of which are values that Big Brother Africa equally espouses.

Our partnership with M-Net on this franchise will give the viewers a more intense experience of Open Happiness during the 91 days of this new season, aptly tagged 'Big Brother Amplified'. Our flagship brand will be supported in this task by Eva, our premium bottled water; Cappy, our fruity juice brand; and Sprite, our edgy lifestyle brand. Significantly, Big Brother Amplified will begin airing in May 2011, when we celebrate Coca-Cola's 125th Anniversary".

With the logo of the show released recently, the countdown to BIG BROTHER AMPLIFIED has intensified as the final rounds of selection are completed and the show’s producers Endemol put the finishing touches to a redesigned BIG BROTHER house. Fans of the show can get news and updates on Twitter and Facebook, and on the show’s dedicated website www.mnetafrica.com/bigbrother. So with the countdown to the series heating up, get up amped up for BIG BROTHER AMPLIFIED!