Monster.co.uk to sponsor American Idol

ITV Commercial announced today that monster.co.uk, the UK site for Monster, the leading global online career and recruitment resource, is to sponsor the next series of American Idol. American Idol is the worldís biggest entertainment format and returns exclusively to ITV2 for an 8th season in January 2009.

Last year saw David Cook win the competition with a record of nearly 100 million votes. Simon Cowell returns to head up the distinguished panel of judges that include pop singer and choreographer Paula Abdul and record producer and music manager Randy Jackson. Ryan Seacrest will continue to assume his duties as host making sure the judges are kept in check. And joining the show this year is Kara DioGuardi as a fourth judge on the panel.

Our partnership with American Idol fits perfectly with Monster's life improvement vision and is a great opportunity for Monster, said Julian Acquari, Managing Director, Monster UK and Ireland. American Idol is about helping people fulfil their career aspirations and jump out of bed everyday to do the job they love – Monsterís newly enhanced website provides unique products and tools to help people do just that. Ultimately Monster and American Idol are both about life improvement and we are delighted to be associated with the programme.

Camilla Mignot, Sponsorship Manager at ITV said ìWe are delighted to have new-to-sponsorship Monster.co.uk partnering with them us on one of ITV2ís largest format shows for 2009 and we are confident that the show will kick start the year in style.î

The package, which was negotiated by Camilla Mignot at ITV and Damien Gillman at MEC Access, includes broadcast sponsorship on ITV2, mobile interactive bumpers and online inventory.

The sponsorship credits will be produced by AMV BBDO.