Lexus Presents ''The Road to Innovation, Conversations with Charlie Rose''; Lexus Teams with Thirteen/WNET New York and Conde Nast Media Group on Four-Part Roundtable Series

Business Wire, March 31, 2006

NEW YORK -- Michael Eisner and George Clooney Interviewed for Series Premiere on March 30; Eric Schmidt of Google and Ivan Seidenberg of Verizon Appear in April 13 Show

Lexus announced the start of a four-part broadcast series, "The Road to Innovation, Conversations with Charlie Rose" that will air on PBS beginning tonight at 11:00 (ET, check local listings). Charlie Rose, known for his insightful interview style on his award-winning PBS show, interviewed leaders in the fields of media, entertainment and technology in front of live audiences, beginning with Michael Eisner and George Clooney. Eric Schmidt, Chairman of the Executive Committee and CEO of Google, and Ivan Seidenberg, CEO of Verizon Communications, appear in the second show, scheduled to air on Thursday, April 13 at 11 p.m. (ET) on PBS (check local listings). The remaining two shows will air in the Fall of 2006. Partners with Lexus on the "Road to Innovation" series are Thirteen/WNET New York and the Conde Nast Media Group.

"We are pleased to present 'The Road to Innovation, Conversations with Charlie Rose'," said Deborah Meyer, vice president of marketing for Lexus. "Through insight from entertainment and technology industry leaders, this series represents excellence in innovation, a philosophy that Lexus shares as we strive for perfection in the automobiles we create."

William F. Baker, President of Thirteen/WNET, said the station is always exploring creative partnership opportunities. "Quality companies don't just sell good products, they make lasting contributions to our quality of life. In partnering with us to bring Charlie Rose to public television viewers nationwide, Lexus is helping provide a unique forum for civilized discourse on American television. And we are equally delighted that another peerless company, Conde Nast Media Group, has joined us to create this exciting roundtable series with Charlie Rose."

The Conde Nast Media Group, known for its leadership in integrated marketing opportunities for partners, saw the "Road to Innovation" series as a perfect fit. "This is exactly the sort of synergy we like to create," said Richard Beckman, President of CNMG. "Lexus drivers, PBS viewers and Conde Nast readers and are of a like cultural mind, and all are sure to be intrigued by 'The Road to Innovation'."

In addition to the broadcast series, "Road to Innovation, Conversations with Charlie Rose" will appear as two special sections in issues of several Conde Nast titles. The first four-page section, focusing on Technology and Entertainment, appears in April 2006 issues of Wired, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair and GQ. The second section incorporates themes of Politics and Finance and will appear in November 2006 issues of Conde Nast Traveler, Architectural Digest, Golf Digest and Gourmet.