Orange plays havoc with the Muppets in new ‘Gold Spot’ cinema advertising campaign

• Stars of Disney’s upcoming film The Muppets appear in Orange’s latest cinema ad
• Tongue in cheek advert shows what would happen if Orange were to meddle with the Muppets
• Launches into cinemas nationwide from Friday 4 November 

Orange and Disney UK & Ireland today announced a spectacular addition to Orange’s Gold Spot cinema advertising series - an all-singing and dancing production featuring much-loved characters from the upcoming Disney filmThe Muppets. The Muppets Gold Spot will launch in cinemas nationwide from Friday 4th November, and will run until the UK cinema launch ofThe Muppetson Friday 10th February 2012.

The Gold Spot, which earns its name from being the most valuable pre-film advertising slot in cinemas immediately prior to a film, is an irreverent take on what could happen if Orange were to take over the Muppets. Chaos ensues as the characters are split on the news that Orange has taken over the Muppet Theater and renamed “The Muppet Show” as “The Orange Show”. The ad builds to a climax with a large scale musical number, and a reminder for cinema goers to switch off their mobile phones before the screening begins.

The Muppets Gold Spot is part of Orange’s ongoing association with film, which includes the highly successful Orange Wednesdays and the recently launched Orange Film To Go service, in partnership with iTunes. Previous stars of Orange Gold Spot campaigns include Spike Lee, Juliette Lewis, The A-Team and Jack Black.

The agreement was developed by Orange and Disneymedia+, the integrated ad sales and promotions organisation of Disney UK & Ireland, with the ad being produced by creative agency Fallon in collaboration with Orange, Disney and the Muppets.

Kermit the Frog said:“Working with the Muppets, I’m used to things getting completely out of control and crazy. But thanks to the folks at Orange, I think we took out of control and crazy to a new level. It was a lot of fun, but I really hope they stick to their day job running a mobile network.” 

Spencer McHugh, Brand Director at Orange UK added:“Securing the Muppets for one of our Gold Spots is a great coup for us, and we’re sure that Orange customers and cinema goers alike will really enjoy the final result.”

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For further information, video content and images please contact M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment or The Walt Disney Company EMEA:

Alex Wilkinson /alex.wilkinson@mcsaatchi.com/ 07969 573 313 / 020 7544 3855

Samantha Harris /samantha.harris@mcsaatchi.com/ 07896 530 007 / 020 7544 3873

Sarah Hird, The Walt Disney Company EMEA 0208 222 1724sarah.hird@disney.com

About Orange UK

Orange is the key brand of the France Telecom Group, one of the world's leading telecommunications operators. With almost 131 million customers, the Orange brand now covers Internet, television and mobile services in the majority of countries where the Group operates.

In the UK, Orange provides high quality GSM coverage to 99% of the UK population, and 3G coverage to more than 93%. Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trade marks of Orange Brand Services Limited.

On July 1 2010, the company became part of Everything Everywhere, one company that runs two of Britain's most famous brands - Orange UK and T-Mobile UK - with plans to transform the industry by giving customers instant access to everything, everywhere, offering them the best value, best choice and best network coverage in the country. Everything Everywhere Limited is the UK’s biggest communications company, with a combined customer base of almost 28 million people and more than 720 retail stores across the country. Everything Everywhere Limited is registered at Hatfield Business Park, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9BW under the registered company number 02382161.

For more information please call the Orange Press Office 0870 373 1500, or visitwww.orange.co.uk/newsroom

About The Muppets Studio

For more than 55 years, the Muppets have entertained film and television audiences with their blend of heart and humor. The creation of the late visionary, Jim Henson, the Muppets are among the world’s most recognized and beloved characters, led by the world’s most famous amphibian, Kermit the Frog.  Since The Muppets Studio joined The Walt Disney Company in 2004, the Muppets have starred in a series of award-winning viral music videos, multiple television specials, attractions and appearances at Disney Parks, and have an array of Muppets merchandise.  

About the upcoming film —Disney’sThe Muppets

On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world's biggest Muppet fan, his brother Gary (Jason Segel) and Gary’s girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams) from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze the Muppet Theater and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets' former stomping grounds. To stage The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever and raise the $10 million needed to save the theater, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino tribute band called the Moopets, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, Animal is in a Santa Barbara clinic for anger management, and Gonzo is a high-powered plumbing magnate. With secret, signature, celebrity cameos, Disney’s “The Muppets” hits the big screen in the UK on 10th February.  

Muppets:The Green Albumis available wherever music is sold, and includes OK Go and The Muppets’ new interpretation of “Muppet Show Theme Song.” For more information on The Muppet movie, become a fan athttp://www.facebook.com/TheMuppetsUK