It was just about two years ago, marketing flags were ready to be dropped all around the country for a June 9, 2006 movie opening on 3,985 screens.

A little movie called CARS.

Yes, it was a long, long time ago … and for most of us, that was 1,082 trips to and back from Wal*Mart, Toys R Us, Target and the 47 trips to the reservation cigarette store in hopes they would start carrying tax-free CARS.

Back then I was a Pulitizer prize winning blogger married to Adrianne Lima but now – 2 freakin’ years later – I’ve been reduced to a man who’s lost everything but has gained 1,700 diecast CARS … reduced to eating Liver Spread as my only tie to Brazil* …

There’s one thing about a Disney/Pixar film, they use a lot of imagination in finding promotional partners … most made perfect sense, Porsche, Mack Truck & Valvoline … some, not so obvious … um, toilet paper, well okay. Money is money 🙂

Together, they contributed some $200 million dollars in promoting CARS. These were the main promotional partners in marketing CARS. Some went all out in creating product tie-ins, some created actual products featuring CARS and others simply offered a sweepstakes. Note, this is NOT a roundup of CARS products sold but rather companies who linked in with Disney or CARS to giveaway something (buy batteries, get a CARS flashlight), specific mailaway giveaways (eat cereal, get a CAR), enter to win a sweepstakes or sponsor a CARS themed website.

Here are/were the main promotional partners in alphabetical order.

AT&T

WEBSITE ALREADY TAKEN DOWN-DEAD

From 2006 Press Release:

“Under the marketing relationship, AT&T will call attention to current AT&T offers, when purchased online and when bundled, for AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet, local and long distance, Cingular Wireless and AT&T | DISH Network services through a dynamic co-branded site, which are available at http://att.com/cars .

Visitors to the site have the chance to race the movie’s car characters down a stretch of highway reminiscent of Route 66 while dodging obstacles including mud slicks, rolling tires, construction barriers and other cars. Players are also required to manage their car’s performance to account for simulated losses in tire pressure and gas consumption correlating with higher speeds. The number and type of obstacles and the frequency of required pit stops increase through three difficulty tiers.

Site visitors can also customize rock, country, jazz and Latin-inspired tunes for downloading in a special audio lab created for AT&T by Disney. Visitors can also download “Cars” desktop graphics.

AT&T will promote the “Cars” campaign with mass media radio, direct mail and broadcast support – including Pixar-animated television ads that tout AT&T High Speed Internet and AT&T bundles – as well as with online and retail communications.

“We are very excited to continue our winning relationship with AT&T, which began with the highly successful campaign for ‘The Incredibles,'” said Brett Dicker, executive vice president of Buena Vista Pictures. “We believe that AT&T’s original and inventive marketing campaign will help us to introduce the exciting world of ‘Cars’ to new audiences everywhere.”

The “Cars” relationship is driven by AT&T’s brand promise to deliver its customers’ entertainment passions – whether film, music, sports or gaming – and builds on a growing portfolio of movie sponsorships that has included Disney-Pixar’s “The Incredibles” and 20th Century Fox’ “Fantastic Four.””

Note – voice over of McQueen performed by another actor. Owen Wilson too big of a star to do commercials – even as McQueen 🙂 … and of course, sharped eyed fans will also realize Not Chuck & Pit Crew have a lot more work in the #96 Pit Row than they did in the film itself …

Energizer

(LINKS DEAD)

From Press Release:

“May 12, 2006 — Starting in May, Energizer is marking the upcoming release of Disney-Pixar’s animated feature film, Cars, with new Cars-inspired character car launchers and flashlights. The free collectible Energizer® Cars launchers will be available in specially marked packs of Energizer® MAX® AA eight batteries at participating retailers nationwide while supplies last. The packages will contain one of three Cars characters: Lightning McQueen, Mater or Doc.

To further enhance the Cars experience, Energizer is also offering a new collection of Cars-inspired flashlights. The new Cars collection is focused on children and includes a flashlight with easy-to-use slide switch for little hands, three different “Pop-the-Hood” squeeze light key chain reproductions of Lightning McQueen, Mater and Sheriff, and a 2-way light that acts as both a flashlight and an area light.

In addition, Energizer is teaming up with Mattel to launch a sweepstakes where children can win their very own Fisher-Price® Power Wheels® Lightning McQueen racecar. Other prizes include Fast Talkin’ Lightning McQueen, an interactive Cars replica that can be programmed to do tricks and stunts, and Super Tow Mater, a radio-controlled vehicle that brings children all the mischief of the lovable Mater. Consumers can enter to win by visiting http://www.energizer.com/cars.

“We are excited to work with Disney-Pixar to enhance everyone’s movie experience,” said Jeff Ziminski, Vice President Marketing, Energizer. “Kids will have a great time as they recreate the Route 66 adventure at home with these collectible launchers and flashlights, modeled after the most popular Cars characters.”

From the DVD Press Release

“When consumers purchase two multi-packs of Energizer(R) MAX(R) batteries (8-AA, 8-AAA, 2-9-Volt, 4-C, or 4-D), they will receive $3 off the Cars DVD. As an added incentive, people who purchase the DVD and three multi-packs of Energizer MAX batteries will get a one-of-a-kind, specially designed Cars DVD case while supplies last.”

I think the case was metal and looked like the Disney Treasure case.

General Mills

Fruit Shaped CARS. I think I ate the box I got from Costco in about two hours. They was tasty.

Goodyear

Hey, it’s actually to scale! For about a week, Goodyear changed their “Spirit of Goodyear,” to “Lightyear.” (see the actual life-sized people holding the cabin underneath).

From Press Release:

“For the first time in over 80 years, one of Goodyear’s famous blimps took flight today bearing a different name. The Spirit of Goodyear, here leaving its Pompano Beach Florida hangar, bears a temporary “Lightyear” logo to honor the company’s involvement in the highly anticipated DisneyPixar movie, ‘CARS.’ The Spirit of Goodyear’s first role with the new name decal will be participating in the CARS World Premiere at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC, on Friday, May 26.

“We are honored by the recognition we have been given in this film,”
said Joey Viselli, Director, Marketing Services, Goodyear North America.
“This is the first time in more than 80 years our blimp has displayed
something other than Goodyear on its side, so this is truly a special
occasion.”

The makeover process required more than 250 man-hours of work by
Goodyear’s airship crew, with the blimp entering its Florida hangar this
week for the Lightyear logo transformation. Workers cleaned the right side
of the blimp, then covered the 10-foot tall “GOOD” letters and the Wingfoot
symbol with a protective masking material. The “LIGHT” letter decals,
weighing 5 pounds each, were placed into position and a few areas not
covered by the temporary letters had to be painted over. All of this work
is needed for about 15 days of service as the “Lightyear” blimp, since the
airship is scheduled to return to its previous identity on June 1.

Goodyear will also be supporting its involvement in CARS with a
national product promotion at 750 Goodyear-owned and at participating
independently owned and operated locations across the country. Consumers
can receive a free copy of the CARS soundtrack on CD and a Goodyear cash
card — valued for $25 to $100 — by outfitting their cars with a
qualifying set of tires. The special-edition CARS soundtrack is presented
by Goodyear, and features music by Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, Brad Paisley,
Rascal Flatts and James Taylor.”

Georgia Pacific Sparkle Paper Towels and Angel Soft Toilet Paper

To Obtain a Game Code: 1) Obtain a game code available on the following specially marked packages of Angel Soft and Sparkle during the Promotion Period, while supplies last: Angel Soft Toilet Paper 24 Regular Roll (UPC: 0-30400-00118-5), Angel Soft Toilet Paper 12 double roll (UPC: 0-30400-00157-4), Sparkle Paper Towel 8 Regular Roll (UPC: 0-30400-00137-6), and Sparkle Paper Towel 4 Double Roll (UPC: 0-30400-01470-3); OR 2) You may also obtain a game code for free when you visit www.winmovietix.com or www.winmovietixnow.com during the Promotion Period and follow the instructions provided. A game code will be automatically provided in a pop-up window. Purchasing will not increase your chances of winning.

Limit 1 game play per person and per email address per day.

(10,000) Grand Prizes: 2 Movie Ticket Gift Certificates. Each Gift Certificate is redeemable for admission for one (1) person to see the Cars movie or any other Disney movie currently playing at participating theaters. Gift certificates are valid at participating theaters and are subject to certain terms and conditions as specified by issuer. Restrictions may apply. Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”) = $24. Winners will receive their prize approximately 2 weeks following the day in which they won. Taxes, if any, and any other costs and expenses not specified herein as being awarded are the sole responsibility of the winner. Total ARV of all prizes: $240,000. Limit one prize per person/household. The odds of winning a prize depends on the total number of eligible game plays received.

I remember it completely like it was yesterday and nothing like as if I copied it verbatim off some website ….

Angel Soft and Sparkle Instant win Game Daily (ends 08/01/06)
Needs a code but they will provide one for you.
Daily (ends 08/01/06)

http://cars.pst-tech.com/ (DEAD LINK)

(10,000) Grand Prizes: 2 Movie Ticket Gift Certificates. Each Gift Certificate is redeemable for admission for one (1) person to see the Cars movie or any other Disney movie currently playing at participating theaters. Gift certificates are valid at participating theaters and are subject to certain terms and conditions

Official rules:
http://cars.pst-tech.com/rules.aspx(DEAD LINK)

Eligibility: The Cars Movie Ticket Giveaway (“Game”) is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry and have internet access and a valid e-mail address prior to 5/1/06. Employees of Georgia-Pacific Corporation (“Sponsor”), The Walt Disney Company, their respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, distributors, suppliers, participating retailers, advertising and promotion agencies and Project Support Team, Inc. (collectively, “Released Parties”), and each such employee’s immediate family members (mother, father, sister, brother, any child, husband, wife), and those living in their same households, whether or not related, are not eligible to participate or win a prize. Void where prohibited by law. All applicable federal, state and local laws apply.

Promotion Period: From 12:00:00 am (midnight) Eastern Time (“ET”) on 5/1/06 to 11:59:59 pm ET on 8/1/06 (“Promotion Period”).

To Obtain a Game Code: 1) Obtain a game code available on the following specially marked packages of Angel Soft and Sparkle during the Promotion Period, while supplies last: Angel Soft Toilet Paper 24 Regular Roll (UPC: 0-30400-00118-5), Angel Soft Toilet Paper 12 double roll (UPC: 0-30400-00157-4), Sparkle Paper Towel 8 Regular Roll (UPC: 0-30400-00137-6), and Sparkle Paper Towel 4 Double Roll (UPC: 0-30400-01470-3); OR 2) You may also obtain a game code for free when you visit www.winmovietix.com or www.winmovietixnow.com during the Promotion Period and follow the instructions provided. A game code will be automatically provided in a pop-up window. Purchasing will not increase your chances of winning.

How To Play: Upon obtaining your game code, visit www.winmovietix.com or www.winmovietixnow.com, enter your game code in the space indicated and follow the instructions provided to complete the registration and play the Game to see if you have won a prize. If you enter your game code at a randomly selected winning time (as determined by Sponsor) or if no one enters at such time and you are the first to play thereafter (as determined by Sponsor) you are a winner. If you are a winner (prize award subject to verification of eligibility, winning game play and compliance with the terms of these rules), you will instantly receive a winning message indicating the prize you are eligible to win and you will be prompted to verify your contact information by completing the online prize claim redemption form. You must do this immediately upon receiving this message or prize will be forfeited. If you are not a winner, you will receive a message stating “I’m sorry. Please try again”. Limit 1 game play per person and per email address per day. Additional game plays received from the same person and/or e-mail address during the same day will be void. The use of automated devices (or any other devices intended to automate any aspect of participation) to obtain a code or play is prohibited. If Sponsor, in its sole discretion, determines that an entrant has used an automated or similar device to play, all game plays and prize claims from that entrant will be void.

Prizes/Odds: (10,000) Grand Prizes: 2 Movie Ticket Gift Certificates. Each Gift Certificate is redeemable for admission for one (1) person to see the Cars movie or any other Disney movie currently playing at participating theaters. Gift certificates are valid at participating theaters and are subject to certain terms and conditions as specified by issuer. Restrictions may apply. Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”) = $24. Winners will receive their prize approximately 2 weeks following the day in which they won. Taxes, if any, and any other costs and expenses not specified herein as being awarded are the sole responsibility of the winner. Total ARV of all prizes: $240,000. Limit one prize per person/household. The odds of winning a prize depends on the total number of eligible game plays received.

General: No transfer, assignment, cash redemption, or substitution of prize except by Sponsor who may substitute a prize with one of equal or greater value, at its sole discretion. By participating, participants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding in all matters relating to this Game. Noncompliance with these rules may result in disqualification. Released Parties are not responsible for late, lost, stolen, misdirected, delayed, garbled, inaccurate, incorrect or undelivered game code, game plays or prize claims, or for telephonic, human or computer failures, problems or errors, interruptions in service due to system upgrades, repairs, modifications or other causes, failures or malfunctions of connections, phones, phonelines or telephone systems, traffic congestion on the Internet, technical or mechanical malfunctions, or other malfunctions or errors, whether caused by equipment, programming, human error or otherwise relating to or in connection with the Game, including, without limitation, errors which may occur in connection with the administration of the Game, the processing of game plays or prize claims, the announcement of the prizes, or any injury or damage to participant’s or any other person’s computer relating to or resulting from participation in this Game, or for printing, typographical, human or other errors appearing in these rules or other game-related materials. Unclaimed prizes will not be awarded. CAUTION: Any attempt to deliberately damage any web site or undermine the legitimate operation of this Game is a violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages and/or other remedies from any such person(s) responsible for the attempt to the fullest extent permitted by law. In the event the number of winning messages issued exceeds the number of prizes listed in these rules, Sponsor reserves the right to conduct a random drawing from among all eligible, non-suspect and valid winning message prize claimants to award the listed number of prizes. Only the published number of prizes stated in these Official Rules will be awarded and game codes must be obtained through legitimate channels. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to void suspect game plays or to modify, cancel or suspend this Game should virus, bugs, non-authorized human intervention or other causes beyond the control of Sponsor corrupt or impair the administration, security, fairness or proper play of the Game and, in any such event, at its discretion, randomly select winners for any unclaimed prizes from among all eligible non-suspect non-winning game plays received prior to event requiring such action. By participating, entrants agree that 1) Sponsor and its designees may use, if a winner, entrant’s name, city and state of residence, photograph and/or likeness for advertising, trade and/or any other purposes in any and all media now or hereafter known throughout the world in perpetuity, without further compensation, permission or notification (unless prohibited by law); and 2) the Released Parties and all of their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents shall have no liability and will be held harmless by participants for any claim, action, liability, loss, injury or damage to entrant or any other person or entity, including, without limitation, personal injury or death to entrant or any other person or damage to personal or real property, due in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by reason of the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of a prize won and any travel or travel-related activity thereto (including, but not limited to, travel to and from or attendance at a movie theatre) or participation in this Game.

Winners List: For a list of winners, available after 8/1/06, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope for receipt by 8/31/06 to: Cars Movie Ticket Winners, P.O. Box 13199, Bridgeport, CT 06673-3199.

Sponsor: Georgia-Pacific Corporation, 133 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30303

Yep, Georgia Pacific lawyered up … I like the part where if you’re even remotely related to a person working Georgia Pacific, don’t even think of entering this contest or we will tie you in chains and drop you in Okefenokee. This is Disney and you will NOT cheat us out of $8 dollars!

(A snap of the website for code entry – sorry, artwork missing – just close your eyes and think of McQueen & art shots of toilet paper packaging)

Hertz

Car rental & Disneyland-World sweepstakes.

Intelligent Direct Marketing

Apparently across car dealership all over the US, they put up POP’s and display banners.

iTunes

Still active! Lots of great stuff still online including great Behind the Scenes VIDEO PODCASTS (ALL FREE!)

iTunes Video Podcasts (LINK WILL LAUNCH ITUNES!)

There are even playlists from McQueen, Sally, Fillmore and others!

Kellogg’s

Kellogg’s still has their page up! Too bad, it’s too late to redeem anything. They gave away everything from mini license plates to keyrings to even some breakfast utensils!

Then eat Apple Jacks, Cocoa Krispies, Froot Loops, Honey Smacks, Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes, Mini-Swirlz Cinnamon Bun, Mini-Swirlz Fudge Ripple, Corn Pops or Rice Krispies and find a car inside!

Or eat these specially marked packages of cereal – collect 5 wheel tokens, send in some shipping & handling and get a personalized mini license plate!

Or eat a box of Pop Tarts and send away for a mini RC pen! Apparently you can detach the top and use the pen to DRIVE THE CAR around! AND eat Pop Tarts at the same time! Man, I missed out on this one!

Or eat two boxes of Eggo’s and get a full breakfast setting of a McQueen plate, fork & knife and a cup – duuuuudddeee, how did I miss this one? 8 boxes and I have a full-on company-can-come-over setting! It’s classy, not just a spork but full on knife & fork for eating real food!

Or two boxes of Cheez-It & $2.99 gets you this key ring …

Man, Kellogg’s went all out on this thing. I must’ve been in Vienna with my Brazilian supermodel wife all that time … yea, that must be the reason I missed out on all that Kellogg’s CARS swag?

BTW, Kellogg’s still has the site up just to taunt us, I guess – all redemption closed but Check it out!

Kelley Blue Book

A seemingly weird promotion actually was a pretty cool one …

Ho, humm, yea, so what – anyone can put up a website … keep scrolling!

Nice!

Though I suspect if the KBB Editors knew Doc was really the Piston Cup (NASCAR) Fabulous Hudson Hornet, he’d be worth way north of $20k …

Strange but they’ve taken the web pages off the site.

McDonalds

Happy Meals Press Release:

“McDonald’s to Feature Disney/Pixar’s New Computer-Animated Adventure, Cars – June 9 through July 6, 2006

Oak Brook, Ill., June 7, 2006 – McDonald’s fans, get ready for life in the fast lane! In continuing celebration of McDonald’s action-packed “Summer of Happy Meal® Fun,” McDonald’s guests are merging into the fast lane with Cars, the newest computer-animated adventure from Disney and Pixar. Beginning June 9 – July 6, 2006, kids and collectors can receive one of eight revved-up roadsters from the film, with the purchase of a Happy Meal or Mighty Kids Meal®, at participating McDonald’s restaurants, while supplies last.

McDonald’s “Summer of Happy Meal Fun” line-up is hitting the road with eight colorful Cars characters that bring the film to life with multiple character versions and exciting eye expressions. Fast and flashy Lightning McQueen is available in two body versions and pops a thrilling wheelie when pulled back. Mater is a freewheeling tow truck with exciting ‘super suspension’ for steering left and right, and Flo and Fillmore race forward with high-action speed when pulled back. Sally is raceway-ready with a special switch to steer her left or right, and Luigi features a handy tire crank to send him into gear. Doc Hudson is wound up for adventure – watch him detect a dangerous edge and make a quick turn just in time. Rounding out this high octane collection is Ramone, the showroom sports car with a paint job for every occasion – wind him up to activate his eyecatching hydraulics. The McDonald’s Happy Meal and Mighty Kids Meal Cars collection will have imaginations working in overdrive as children nationwide recreate their favorite scenes and bring the film’s vibrant characters to life.

McDonald’s guests have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of food choices with their Happy Meals and Mighty Kids Meals including Apple Dippers (fresh, peeled apple slices) served with low-fat caramel dipping sauce, and beverage choices including 100% pure Minute Maid apple juice and low-fat white and chocolate Milk Jugs, served in easy to handle containers.”

If we didn’t have the Mattel 1:55 diecast series going as far, this would be an equally crazy line to collect. While there are only 8 CARS shown, there are some with eye variants, dirty & clean versions and of course, Ramone color versions. Good luck! If anyone has a complete list, email or comment below and I’ll add it in here.

MovieTickets.com & Northwest Airlines Vacations

“The “Get Into the Race” Sweepstakes

After taking moviegoers magically into the realm of toys, bugs, monsters, fish, and superheroes, the masterful storytellers and technical wizards at Pixar Animation Studios (“The Incredibles,” “Finding Nemo,” “Monsters, Inc.”), and Academy Award®-winning director John Lasseter (“Toy Story,” “Toy Story 2,” “A Bug’s Life”), hit the road with a fast-paced comedy adventure set inside the world of cars. Lightning McQueen (voice of OWEN WILSON), a hotshot rookie race car driven to succeed, discovers that life is about the journey, not the finish line, when he finds himself unexpectedly detoured in the sleepy Route 66 town of Radiator Springs. On route across the country to the big Piston Cup Championship in California to compete against two seasoned pros, McQueen gets to know the town’s offbeat characters – including Sally (a snazzy 2002 Porsche voiced by BONNIE HUNT), Doc Hudson (a 1951 Hudson Hornet with a mysterious past, voiced by PAUL NEWMAN), and Mater (a rusty but trusty tow truck voiced by LARRY THE CABLE GUY) – who help him realize that there are more important things than trophies, fame and sponsorship. The all-star vocal cast also includes free-wheeling performances by racing legend Richard Petty and Cheech Marin. Fueled with plenty of humor, action, heartfelt drama, and amazing new technical feats, CARS is a high octane delight for moviegoers of all ages.

MovieTickets.com invites you to enter the “Get Into the Race” Sweepstakes for a chance to win great prizes from the new movie CARS, opening nationwide June 9th. Enter now for your chance to win!
One (1) Grand Prize Winner will receive:

Trip to the “Chase for the Nextel Cup”

A trip for two to the final race in the “Chase for the Nextel Cup” in Miami on November 19, 2006 including roundtrip airfare and 4-days/3-nights hotel accommodations (courtesy of Northwest World Vacations); grandstand tickets and garage walk-through passes and tickets to the DLP chalet including continental breakfast (courtesy of DLP Cinema).

One (1) Second Place Winner will receive:

An Apple 30Gb iPod
Store up to 14 hours of music playback (7500 songs); up to 3 hours of slideshows with music; up to 2 hours of video playback. (iPod prize may vary from iPod picture shown)

Twenty-five (25) Third Place Winners will each receive:

A Walt Disney Records Cars Original Soundtrack – the ‘Ultimate Road Trip Soundtrack!’ A Walt Disney Records CARS Original Soundtrack. The “Ultimate Road Trip Soundtrack!” Songs include originals as well as classic “driving” songs performed by some of today’s top artists, including, Sheryl Crow, Rascal Flatts, John Mayer, Brad Paisley and James Taylor.”

State Farm Insurance with Mack Trucks & Porsche

From Press Release:

“Disney/Pixar’s Cars to Hit the Real Road
Source: Buena Vista Pictures Marketing
April 17, 2006

Two of the stars of Disney/Pixar’s exciting new computer-animated feature Cars will race straight off the movie screen and into the real world as actual life-sized models of hotshot rookie racecar Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) and Sally Carrera, a snazzy 2002 Porsche 911 (voiced by Bonnie Hunt) will hit the road today for Disney/Pixar’s “‘Cars’ Road Trip ’06” presented by State Farm, it was announced today by Brett Dicker, Executive Vice President of Buena Vista Pictures Marketing.

The film’s sheet metal counterparts were created by famed movie car creator and customizer Eddie Paul of Customs By Eddie Paul, with help from Porsche and Pixar Animation Studios’ artists and technicians. Paul is responsible for famous Hollywood car creations such as the hot rod that John Travolta drove in Grease as well as custom built vehicles for The Fast and the Furious and XXX.

Disney/Pixar’s “‘Cars’ Road Trip 06” presented by State Farm will bring the Cars stars to life through interactive experiences. The tour, which was designed and will be managed by the Becker Group, will cross the country with stops in over 40 cities and be highlighted by an appearance at the World Premiere for Disney/Pixar’s Cars on May 26 in Charlotte, NC at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The cars will ride in style via a special truck inspired by the character Mack, which will be provided by Mack Trucks, Inc. As the number one auto insurer in the U.S., and with their headquarters located along Route 66, State Farm sought to sponsor “‘Cars’ Road Trip ’06” in addition to their category sponsorship of Cars.”

Here (WAS) the remaining “CARS Road Trip ’06” schedule:
May 1 Denver, CO
May 2 Salt Lake City, UT
May 4 DuPont, WA
May 5 Seattle, WA
May 6 Portland, OR
May 7 San Francisco, CA
May 8 Bakersfield, CA
May 10-12 Los Angeles, CA
May 15 Houston, TX
May 17-18 Atlanta, GA
May 20-21 Orlando, FL
May 22-23 Jacksonville, FL
May 24-28 Charlotte, NC — World Premiere/NASCAR Coca Cola 600
May 30 Charlottesville, VA
May 31 Parsippany, NJ
June 1-6 New York, NY
June 11-18 Los Angeles, CA
June 19 Phoenix, AZ
June 21 San Antonio, TX
June 22 Dallas, TX
June 23-24 Tulsa, OK
June 26 St. Louis, MO
June 27 Erlanger, KY
June 28 Cincinnati, OH
June 29 Lexington, KY
June 30 Columbus, OH
July 5 Battle Creek, MI
July 6 Oakbrook, IL
July 7 Bloomington, IL
July 8-11 Chicago, IL

There was also a sweepstakes to win 25 Ford Mustang’s (just clips of the film spliced in with the swepstakes contest information):

This Disney site (the countdown to CARS) sponsored by State Farm is still up!

You can still play/check the mini games, wallpapers, etc … HERE including viewing the Mater/McQueen State Farm TV Spot in a smaller player.

Target

As is this Target sponsored site still active on Disney.com.

You can play ‘What Kind of Car Are You?,’ ‘Create-a-Car,’ ‘Race-o-Matic,’ ‘Send an E-Card,’ and even check out CARS merchandise at Target … apparently there are some 14 items for sale related to CARS at Target … gee, I hope people are interested …

US Department of Transportation

Apparently they produced a CLICK IT OR TICKET seatbelt safety video with Disney/Pixar but I can’t find it anywhere online at the website.

Valvoline

In addition to the obvious Scott Riggs #10 car sponsorship, by purchasing a case of Valvoline oil, you were entitled to a free Hot Wheels NASCAR version of the Scott Riggs #10.

At Lowe’s Motor Speedway, that weekend, you could also root for the #5 Kyle Busch Kellogg’s CARS car …

That of course is the real car, here is a shot of the 1:64 scale versions:

Both these CARS were also available in 1:24 scale.

The hardest to find is a more obscure driver, Tony Raines who drove the #96 that year (2006) so Disney/Pixar had it all spiffed up as Lightning McQueen:

In addition, they also sponsored Paul Newsman’s #79 car at the Rolex 24 (Hours) at Daytona – which started January 28, 2006.

From Press Release:

“Newman will be joined by Sebastien Bourdais (2004 Champ Car World Series Champion for Newman/Haas Racing); Cristiano da Matta (2002 Champ Car World Series Champion for Newman/Haas Racing); and Michael Brockman, Newman’s co-driver when they won the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in 1995.

Commenting on the announcement, Newman said, “We all like to push the envelope. I just hope the old bones can motor along Fed Ex and not Delayed Delivery. Fortunately, I’ll be with a champion bunch of shoes and good race car courtesy of John Lasseter of Pixar and Disney.”

Pixar’s John Lasseter, director of “Cars” and an Oscar®-winning director responsible for the “Toy Story” films and “A Bug’s Life,” added, “When Paul races next week at Daytona, I’ll be there cheering him on along with a few others from the ‘Cars’ production team. It’s been a thrill working with him on our movie, and getting a chance to discuss our mutual love of cars. Moviegoers are going to love hearing Paul’s amazing performance as Doc Hudson in ‘Cars,’ and we’re really honored to have him in our cast.”

Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, said, “This is the second year that Disney and Pixar are sponsoring Paul’s car at Daytona, and we’re proud to be associated with this great actor and car enthusiast. ‘Cars’ is shaping up to be another spectacular movie from John and the Pixar animation team, and a worthy successor to our Oscar® nominated hit, ‘The Incredibles.’ We’ll be rooting for Paul to win at Daytona, and eager for audiences to hear his memorable performance in the film next summer.””

(Target Chip Ganassi’s line-up of Scott Dixon, Dan Wheldon and Casey Mears took the overall win in 2006).

Disney

Of course, in addition to the two Disney pages above sponsored by Target & State Farm still up, there’s also the main CARS website with the 11 fun mini games such as Mater’s Memory Game and Flo’s V8 Cafe. You can preview the soundtrack and download a slew of art such as wallpapers and avatars.

Or if prefer an international site – most offer the same art & links to trailers as the US site but still fun to look at: Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, the France, Germany, Japan, Latin America/Latino Disney, Taiwan, or the UK.

(Disney has a couple dozen other international sites but if they did not have a specific CARS section, I did not link above).

INTERNATIONAL

While certainly not comprehensive as the US list, here are are overseas international promotional partners which included:

GM

For Europe, GM’s Opel division did a major effort with Pixar – even going as far as creating a mini movie where three Opel cars actually appear on-screen as CARS cars … such as this Opel Minvera

You can view on YouTube …

Or view the Opel website still up here – there are also wallpapers & other fun computer goodies.

There is also a European Spanish version of the Opel site here.

Here is the same YouTube special Opel video in Spain Spanish (versus Central-Latin American Spanish):

There is even an original animated TV spot in Spain Spanish featuring McQueen & Mater interacting in Radiator Springs with the three Opel cars as CARS visitors:

In Australia, you could have won a special Holden (GM’s Australian car company)

” … Australia’s very own Lightning McQueen, a hot new Holden Special Vehicles E series GTS, by filling out a special coupon contained inside every Cars DVD.

Australia’s own version of Lightning McQueen was specially designed by Holden Special Vehicles, and is a one of a kind iconic GTS incorporating Lightning McQueen’s trademark decals.”

(Semi & trailer not included 🙂 )

*Humm, why is the second ingredient listed on Liver Spread – Beef Tongue!? WTH? Oh, and that whole paragraph – well, most of it is untrue … though there is one truthiness in that sentence, can you guess?

Have fun!