NAMM/Sesame Street Float Wins Bob Hope Humor Award at 116th Annual Rose Parade
Music Products Industry’s Positive Messages about Music and Family Reach 50 Million Viewers During International Media Event
The second time was also a charm for the music products industry’s entry into the 116th Tournament of Roses Parade as NAMM, the International Music Products Association, and Sesame Workshop’s entry titled “Music Makes Us a Family” was honored with the Bob Hope Humor trophy for the most comical and amusing float.
The colorful, interactive float, designed by Studio Concepts, was seen by an estimated 50 million people in the United States and also broadcast in 28 countries. The media outlets broadcasting the Rose Parade included ABC, NBC, CBS, Univision, HGTV, Telemundo, Travel Channel, Discovery HD and KTLA in the Los Angeles area.
The association’s 2005 float featured Big Bird, Elmo, Oscar, Cookie Monster, Bert, Ernie, Zoe, Rosita and Honker from Sesame Street who embodied the float’s joyful “families making music” theme. A three-generation music-making family from Phoenix, Ariz., added to the excitement as they rode on the float and waved to the crowd of approximately 1 million New Year’s revelers. The NAMM entry was also one of the first interactive floats in Rose Parade history with a live drum circle onboard to entertain viewers.
The Bob Hope Humor trophy is a relatively new annual award, given for only the second time by the Tournament of Roses Association to honor legendary comedian Bob Hope, famous for bringing joy to millions through his work on stage and screen.
About Sesame Workshop
Sesame Workshop is a nonprofit educational organization making a meaningful difference in children’s lives around the world. Founded in 1968, the Workshop changed television forever with the legendary Sesame Street. The Workshop continues to innovate on behalf of children in 120 countries with award-winning programs and ground breaking multimedia productions in South Africa, Egypt and Russia. Sesame Workshop and NAMM have collaborated extensively on "Music Works," a public service initiative that encourages children to explore, create and grow with music. Find the Workshop online at www.sesameworkshop.org
Media Contacts
NAMM Communications - John Dolak, Director
johnd@namm.org
619.735.4028
VITTEK PR – Josh Vittek
josh@vittekpr.com
760.505.5674
The Lippin Group
namm@lippingroup.com
201.317.6618
About NAMM
The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit trade association representing the $18.1 billion global music products industry, with a mission to strengthen the music industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music. Comprised of more than 9,000 member companies and individual professionals worldwide, NAMM supports an industry that employs more than 400,000 people globally. Through its programs, events and advocacy efforts, NAMM advances a shared vision of a thriving, innovative and inclusive music products industry where every person has access to the joy of music-making. NAMM also operates The NAMM Foundation, investing in the future of music through the support of education, global grantmaking and featured programs that expand participation in music across all ages and stages of life. Headquartered in Carlsbad, Calif., NAMM serves as a leading voice for the global music products industry through public policy, advocacy, education and other member services. For more information, visit NAMM.org, and learn more about NAMM’s Vision, Mission & Objectives at NAMM About Page.