By Martin Vedris

SYDNEY, NSW: To promote its new range of Full HD VIERA plasma TVs, including the 1-inch deep wireless Z1 model, Panasonic is giving away thousands of dollars in bonus gifts including cameras, home theatre packs and DVD recorders.

Panasonic’s latest release of VIERA Full HD plasma TVs featuring the company’s Neo Plasma (NeoPDP) technology.

The new Panasonic plasma range for Australia includes the flagship Full HD 1-inch ultra-thin, 1080p Wireless Z1 Plasma TV; and the new large-size 65-inch and 58-inch 2-inch ‘super-thin’ V10 Series models.

Panasonic’s Neo Plasma technology — which is featured in the Z1, V10, G15 and G10 Series Full HD Plasmas — enables improved energy efficiency, superior image quality, wireless technology (Z1 Series) and very thin profiles (Z1 and V10 Series).

Also included in Panasonic’s summer plasma release are the new 50-inch and 42-inch G15 Series models. These are Panasonic’s first plasma series to feature the VIERA CAST functionality, giving users access to a wide range of on-demand online content via their TV.

“This Christmas, we are delighted to offer a promotion giving consumers the ultimate choice in premium High Definition products, designed to bring the benefits of High Definition into every family’s living room this holiday season,” said Panasonic Australia product manager TV, Matt Pearce.

“Panasonic’s VIERA Full High Definition Plasma TVs create an amazing large screen viewing experience for your home with outstanding image quality and now, with a bonus HD gift, the whole family can enjoy the quality and convenience of HD this Christmas — the only problem is deciding which great gift to choose!”

Customers who purchase any Panasonic VIERA Full HD 1080p Plasma TV from participating retailers between 24 October and 24 December, 2009, have three HD gift choices: either the HD Tough LUMIX Camera pack valued at RRP $643; the HD Blu-ray Home Theatre valued at RRP $1,099; or the HD Twin Tuner DVD Recorder with 250GB HDD also valued at RRP $1,099.

As there are only 12,000 of each prize pack to give away, customers are urged to hurry to register their claim for their bonus gift.

Once the promotion starts, the consumer can visit the website www.panasonic.com.au/bonushd, or they can SMS ‘BONUS’ to 0429 826 687 to find out how many bonus gifts remain.

This promotion is intended to assist retailers to explain the benefits of Panasonic’s ‘Shoot, Store and Share’ technologies using SD cards. As the current TV advertising campaign also intends to convey with the young couple and baby giving their camera to the salesman who takes the SD card from the camera, slots it straight into the VIERATV via the SD card slot and their embarrassing footage of the Mum giving birth is immediately broadcast on every TV in the store.

The current 2009 Panasonic plasma range is as follows:

• TH-P54Z1A 54-inch Full HD 1080p, RRP $6,999
• TH-P58V10A 58-inch Full HD 1080p, RRP $4,599
• TH-P50V10A 50-inch Full HD 1080p, RRP $3,299
• TH-P50G15A 50-inch Full HD 1080p, RRP $2,999
• TH-P42G15A 42-inch Full HD 1080p, RRP $2,299
• TH-P50G10A 50-inch Full HD 1080p, RRP $2,799
• TH-P46G10A 46-inch Full HD 1080p, RRP $2,499
• TH-P42G10A 42-inch Full HD 1080p, RRP $2,099
• TH-P54S10A 54-inch Full HD 1080p, RRP $3,399
• TH-P50S10A 50-inch Full HD 1080p, RRP $2,599
• TH-P46S10A 46-inch Full HD 1080p, RRP $2,299
• TH-P42S10A 42-inch Full HD 1080p, RRP $1,899

The promotion commences on Saturday, 24 October, 2009 and will be supported by a strong marketing campaign including a national TV campaign, pint, and on-line advertising, as well as in-store promotions including point-of-sale, counter cards and other signage.

To claim their bonus HD gift, customers must register online at: www.panasonic.com.au/bonushd, which will be live from 24 October 2009.