The Apprentice 5 Task Sponsors Announced  2/22/06

WAL-MART, POST CEREAL, OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, PONTIAC AND CHEVROLET AMONG WORLD RENOWNED BRANDS CHALLENGING THE CAST ON FIFTH SEASON OF NBC’S “THE APPRENTICE” (MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 9-10 PM ET/PT)

Blimps, Razors and Text-Messaging Highlight First Two Tasks Featuring Sam’s Club, Goodyear Blimp and Gillette 

NEW YORK - February 22, 2006 – The fifth season of NBC’s “The Apprentice” (Monday, February 27, 9-10pm ET/PT) will again challenge some of the best and brightest young business brains as they work with some of the world’s biggest brands including Wal-Mart, Post Cereal, Outback Steakhouse, Pontiac and Chevrolet. A complete list of this season’s sponsors is listed below. 

On the premiere episode, candidates are challenged to sell membership upgrades at two Sam’s Club locations and are equipped with two Goodyear Blimps to help promote the project. On the second episode (March 6 at 9pm ET/PT), Donald Trump lathers a close shave when candidates are tasked to introduce a new Gillette razor by enticing New Yorkers to text-message information about the product. 

“‘The Apprentice’ continually looks to challenge its candidates with real world business tasks. Instead of make-believe business situations, Donald Trump gets to see how his chosen 18 candidates get to interact with some of the worlds most important brands”, said Mark Burnett, Creator and Executive Producer. “Over 100 brands have been featured on the show in the past four seasons and I’m honored that several companies have returned this season including Pontiac, Microsoft and Outback Steakhouse. Each season it is also very important to me personally that we ask the candidates to give back through several charities including Operation Smile, The Elisabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation and Autism Speaks.” 

Since the debut of “The Apprentice” in January of 2004, many sponsors have achieved tremendous results in the launch of their new products. When Crest Vanilla Mint toothpaste was featured during season two, Procter & Gamble experienced the highest level of online interest in their history with 4.7 million web hits the day after the show aired. Over 40,000 samples of toothpaste were requested. On the third season, Staples sold out of “The Desk Apprentice” in the first two hours of store openings and Pontiac sold 1,000 Solstice cars in a mere 41 minutes after their episode concluded. 

Task Sponsors appearing on the fifth season of NBC’s “The Apprentice” (in order of appearance):

Sam’s Club 

Goodyear Blimp 

Gillette 

Chevrolet 

Post Cereal 

Norwegian Cruise Line 

Arby’s 

7-Eleven 

Ameriquest Mortgage Company 

Hair Cuttery 

Outback Steakhouse 

Wal-Mart 

Xbox 

Embassy Suites 

Pontiac 

“The Apprentice” is produced by Mark Burnett Productions. Mark Burnett, Jay Bienstock and Donald J. Trump are executive producers. Conrad Riggs and Kevin Harris are co-executive producers.

Source: The Dowd Agency Press Release