NAMM Announces 6th Annual Wanna Play? Award Recipients

ANAHEIM, Calif.

January 23, 2012

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) presented Wanna Play? Awards on the last day of its world-famous NAMM Show Jan. 22 to honor eight companies from outside of the music products industry that use music products in their television ads, helping to inspire people to make music.

The recipients of the 2011 Wanna Play? Awards are:

• SunTrust Bank for its Rock Stars In the Financial Industry print ad

• freecreditscore.com for its Credit Fail TV ad

• Cheetos for its Piano TV ad

• Chase for its Ultimate Rewards print ad

Pictured left to right: NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond stands with singer, songwriter and guitarist Chelsea Williams, who was at the 2012 NAMM Show's Sunday Breakfast Session to accept a Wanna Play? award on behalf of Chevy for its "Shine" TV ad, and Mark Hriciga, vice president of advertising and user experience at Experian Consumer Direct, there to accept a Wanna Play? award on behalf of freecreditscore.com and its TV ad called "Credit Fail."

• Target for its Music Teacher TV ad

• Heineken for its The Entrance TV ad

• Rocksmith for its Rocksmith Launch TV ad

• Chevy for its Shine TV ad

Mark Hriciga, vice president of advertising and user experience at Experian Consumer Direct, was at the presentation to accept the award on behalf of freecreditscore.com and its TV ad called “Credit Fail.” And singer, songwriter and guitarist Chelsea Williams was also at the presentation to accept the Wanna Play? award on behalf of Chevy for its “Shine” TV ad.

The Wanna Play? Awards are an extension of NAMM’s Wanna Play? campaign, a public awareness initiative designed to inspire people of all ages to become active music makers, from taking lessons to purchasing their first instrument or software. NAMM recognizes major companies that have encouraged people to pursue—or perhaps revisit—their passion for playing an instrument through their promotion of products or initiatives.

For example, Chevy’s commercial features an aspiring guitarist and singer yearning to be recognized for her talents.

In addition, Target spotlights a teacher breaking out into song and playing the piano to emphasize what kids are going to need when they head back to school.

"It’s great to see that companies realize the impact that playing instruments can have on people and are using this to connect their brands with consumers,” said Scott Robertson, director of public relations for NAMM.

About NAMM
NAMM is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $17 billion international musical instruments and products industry. NAMM’s activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of approximately 9,000 Member companies. For more information about NAMM or the proven benefits of making music, interested parties can visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).