Sony, Amazon partner on Blu-ray sweepstakes

E-tailer also opens Sony High-Def Store

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 12/1/2008

DEC. 1 | Sony and Amazon.com have launched a sweepstakes with which contestants can win Blu-ray Disc titles and hardware.

Sony and the online retailer bowed the contest to celebrate the opening of Amazon’s ‘Sony High-Def Store.’ Shoppers will be able to browse through high-definition products from the entire Sony company, spanning its electronics, computers, music and DVDs.

Dec. 8 through Jan. 18, consumers can enter the ‘Optimum High-Definition Experience Sweepstakes’ at Amazon. The ‘Optimum’ grand prize is Sony’s BDP-S550 Blu-ray player with built-in BD Live capabilities. This package also includes five Sony BMG Blu-ray music titles and 10 Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Blu-ray titles.

First prize features a PlayStation 3 and the PS3 games LittleBigPlanet and Resistance 2. Two second prizes consist of House Bunny and Hancock on Blu-ray, signed by stars Anna Faris and Will Smith, respectively. Hancock also will be given away in 10 third prizes.

Winners will be announced by Feb. 1.

“Sony is always looking for new ways to work with retail to educate consumers about Blu-ray,” said David Bishop, president of SPHE. “The Optimum High-Definition Experience Sweepstakes as well as the Sony High-Def Store on Amazon.com are great ways to communicate directly with our customers and showcase the full Sony high-definition experience.”

Peter Faricy, Amazon VP of movies and music, added, “We’re excited to work with Sony to create this contest and store, where customers can discover the full Sony high-definition experience in a single, convenient destination. As more and more consumers realize the benefits of high-definition, they will be looking to resources like the Sony High-Def Store on Amazon for the information, selection and great prices they need to make educated home entertainment buying decisions.”