NEW ORLEANS-- (July 5, 2001) --For the second consecutive year, Nokia (NYSE: NOK) is returning to New Orleans as a presenting sponsor of the ESSENCE Music Festival. At this celebration of music, culture and empowerment, Nokia will announce an alliance with popular syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner, whose likeness will soon be appearing on point of purchase displays and whose radio show jingle will be available as a Nokia mobile phone ring tone from Cingular Wireless. Along with his morning show crew, Joyner will be appearing on the ESSENCE Music Festival's main stage as the host for the performances on the festival's second day.
With a broad appeal to radio listeners of all ages, Tom Joyner's syndicated radio show is heard daily in 118 markets across the United States. Known as 'the hardest working man in radio', Joyner is considered one of the most influential voices in the African-American community, empowering, informing and entertaining over 7 million listeners every day.
"As a trusted member of the community, someone who connects with his audience, and a person who has always made a priority of giving something back, Tom Joyner is a natural fit for Nokia," said Louis Cunningham, director of national sponsorships and promotions for Nokia Mobile Phones. "We look forward to our relationship with Tom Joyner, and the opportunity for the Nokia brand to be introduced to his loyal fans."
At the ESSENCE Music Festival, Nokia announced the establishment of the Connecting People scholarship. This $60,000 scholarship program, from which the Tom Joyner Foundation will award four $3,000 scholarships each month, benefits students studying at historically black colleges and universities (HBCU's). In1998 Joyner established the Tom Joyner Foundation, which is dedicated to helping students continue their education at HBCU's nationwide. Schools from which deserving students will be chosen to benefit from the Connecting People scholarships include Talladega College, Philander Smith College, Kentucky State University, Jarvis Christian College and Savannah State University.
"The Tom Joyner Foundation does one thing: We keep kids enrolled in historically black colleges and universities nationwide." said Joyner, "Nokia is a prime example of a company that 'gets it', and I look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship between Nokia and the Tom Joyner Foundation."
A three-day event annually attracting over 150,000 music fans from around the world, the 2001 ESSENCE Music Festival will be held in the Louisiana Superdome and at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Performers headlining this year's event include Erykah Badu, Destiny's Child and Patti LaBelle. Nokia, along with Cingular Wireless, will be present at the ESSENCE Marketplace, offering attendees a chance to play a game of skill while learning about the latest products and services available from Nokia and Cingular Wireless.
About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges.
Further information:
(Media and analysts only)
Keith Nowak
Nokia Americas
Tel. +1 972-894-6182
keith.nowak@nokia.com
www.nokia.com