As HBO's Entourage prepares to take off for its fifth season debut on September 4, it teams up with an airline to take publicity into a whole new level, as it were.  The hit HBO series inked a deal with Virgin America to rebrand the airline's flight from New York's John F. Kennedy Airport to Las Vegas as “Entourage Air” all throughout September.

The deal, which runs until October 2009, also makes HBO programming available on all flights.  The plane, of course, is covered, wrapped in Entourage signage and the season debut will also be screened on the Vegas-bound plane, its first direct route between the two cities.

This is not the first time TV shows have teamed up with airline companies for advertising.  CBS has teamed up American Airlines in the past, with the same add-ons, such as season premieres during flights.

A kick-off party at JFK which will be graced by Entourage stars to commence the festivities, while another shindig at the Palms Casino Resort's Playboy Club will close the occasion when the flight lands in Vegas.

Another part of the promo is the renaming of first-class accommodations with Entourage Class.  This includes noise-canceling headphones, champagne, Godiva chocolates, Kiehl's products, Altoids and Entourage Air-branded blankets and eye masks.

According to an HBO top gun, “HBO was attracted to the airline because Entourage appeals to the same savvy, sophisticated consumer that flies Virgin America.”

Entourage, since its 2004 debut, has run for four seasons and features the rise of Vincent Chase, played by Adrien Grenier, alongside his childhood fans – from Queens to New York.  Jeremy Piven has won a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award for Best Performance as an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-series, or Motion Picture Made for Television.  Entourage is nominated this year for Outstanding Comedy Series on the Emmy Awards.


-Glenn L. Diaz, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source:  Variety
(Image Courtesy of HBO)