Sir Elton John and David Furnish to Host 14th Annual Academy Awards Viewing Dinner and After Party to Benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation

Sir Elton John and David Furnish to Host 14th Annual Academy Awards Viewing Dinner and After Party to Benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation

This Year's Co-Sponsors to Include Audi, Chopard and VH1

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Sir Elton John and David Furnish will host the 14th Annual Academy Award(R) Viewing Dinner and After-Party to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) along with co-sponsors Audi, Chopard and VH1 on Sunday, March 5, 2006 at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, CA. This year marks the second year that Chopard will be involved in this grand event and the first year Audi and VH1 will participate as co-sponsors.

The Elton John AIDS Foundation party is one of the most important events on Oscar(R) night as it brings together the biggest names in the entertainment industry to raise money for one very worthy cause, the fight against HIV/AIDS. Past guests have included Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Donald Trump, Denzel Washington, Hillary Swank, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman, Sir Paul McCartney, Donatella Versace, Mary J. Blige, Eva Longoria, Christina Aguilera, Natalie Cole, Halle Berry, Paula Abdul, Joss Stone, Jeffrey Katzenberg, John Waters, Beck and Sir Ben Kingsley just to name a few.

Audi, Chopard and VH1 have supported EJAF in various capacities since the organization was established. "The level of commitment that Audi, Chopard and VH1 have offered in support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation is remarkable," says EJAF Director Scott Campbell. "We are looking forward to working together to create one of the most spectacular events to date."

This year's Event Co-Chairs include Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Nicole Kidman, Donatella Versace, Jeffrey and Marilyn Katzenberg, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, Sharon Stone, Sheryl Crow, Barbara Davis, Audi Board Member for Marketing and Sales Ralph Weyler, Chopard President Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele and VH1 General Manager Tom Calderone.

Well-known event designer J. Ben Bourgeois from Los Angeles-based event production company J. Ben Bourgeois Productions, will transform the "Outdoor Plaza" of the Pacific Design Center into a lavish and warm environment using hints of periwinkle and chocolate brown staged in a custom-built circular tent. Guests will arrive at 4:00pm for a cocktail reception followed by a five-course benefit dinner and viewing of the 78th Academy Awards(R) telecast. Immediately following the viewing guests will gather to celebrate the night's biggest winners.

AUDI OF AMERICA, INC.: Audi's history in America dates to 1969, when the brand was first introduced to the U.S. market. Today, a network of over 260 Audi dealers currently offers a line of premium vehicles that include the all-new Audi A3; the sporty A4 sedan, Avant and Cabriolet models; the high performance S4 sedan, Avant and Cabriolet models; the design-leading A6 sedan and Avant; the all-new Audi Q7 performance SUV (available June 2006); the all-aluminum Audi A8; and the award-winning TT Coupe and Roadster. Audi of America is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and markets a line of luxury cars built in plants in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm, Germany and Gyor, Hungary. The parent company, Audi AG, is headquartered in Ingolstadt, Germany.

CHOPARD: There are few jewelers in the world whose designs are immediately recognizable. At the forefront of that list is Chopard. For over 140 years, the "World of Chopard" has embraced elegance, originality and individuality. Renowned internationally for its award-winning "Happy Diamonds" creations, the Chopard collection also includes an array of designs that adorn celebrities around the world. Meticulously crafted in Geneva, Switzerland since 1860, Chopard has distinguished itself worldwide for luxurious jewels and impeccably crafted, high-precision timepieces that embody imaginative design and sophistication. For further information, 1.800.CHOPARD or visit www.chopard.com.

VH1: VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists, and pop culture that matter to them most with series, specials, live events, exclusive online content, and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 88 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, VH Uno, and VH1 Country. Connect with VH1 at www.VH1.com. VH1 is a registered trademark of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc. MTV Networks also operates and offers joint ventures, licensing agreements, and syndication deals whereby its programming can be seen worldwide.

ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION: Since its establishment in 1992 by Founder and Chairman Sir Elton John, the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) has raised over $80 million to support HIV/AIDS prevention and service programs in 55 countries around the globe. Today, EJAF is one of the world's leading nonprofit HIV/AIDS organizations. EJAF focuses on supporting community-based prevention education programs, harm reduction programs, and direct services to persons living with HIV/AIDS, especially populations with special needs. These efforts include HIV/AIDS-related physical and mental health services, HIV testing and counseling, street outreach and education, food distribution, assisted living services, social service coordination, and community volunteer recruitment and support.

Source: Elton John AIDS Foundation

CONTACT: Christina Lee or Ivy Mollenkamp, both of Rogers & Cowan,
+1-310-854-8100, for Elton John AIDS Foundation

Web site: http://www.vh1.com/

Web site: http://www.chopard.com/

-------
Profile: intent