JEEP COMMANDER JOINS LARA AT E3 2005
Copyright 2005 Eidos plc

[ May 17th 2005 ]

Eidos, one of the world's leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, today announced that the 2006 Jeep Commander and Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend - the newest chapter in the Tomb Raider franchise - will make a very special public appearance together at E3. The 2006 Jeep Commander will be on display in the South Hall lobby of the Los Angeles Convention Center during E3, tricked out with head-turning upgrades like a video monitor providing the only public place to see Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend in action at the show.

This pairing of adrenaline-seeking icons is a continuation of the relationship with the Jeep brand that began with the feature film Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life starring Oscar Award winner Angelina Jolie. This partnership was forged through Eidos' Detroit-based strategic marketing agency, Eiko Media. "Jeep brand and Lara Croft are highly complementary partners that, in many ways, are cut from the same cloth," said Paul Baldwin, vice president of marketing at Eidos. "At its core, this partnership offers a natural synergy that we plan to fully explore as the marketing campaign for the title unfolds."

Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend and Jeep Commander share a common legacy, both representing a new twist on thrill-seeking classic icons. The Jeep Commander is the first Trail Rated®, three-row, seven-passenger Jeep. The upright, rugged Commander blends legendary off-road capability with on-road refinement in an SUV designed with classic Jeep styling. Bumper-to-bumper technology highlights include SmartBeam(TM) headlamps, independent front suspension, rain sensitive windshield wipers, a navigation system and rear DVD. Commander will be available in dealerships this fall.

Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend is grounded in Lara Croft's tomb raiding roots and built to challenge even the most accomplished serial adventurer. The game gives players new insight into the athletic, intelligent and entertaining adventurer who won the hearts and minds of gamers worldwide. "The Jeep Commander and Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend let consumers experience these classic brands in exciting new ways," said Jeff Bell, vice president, Jeep and Chrysler. "Our successful relationship with Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life was the inspiration behind a renewed connection with the ultimate thrill-seeker, Lara Croft."

Beyond E3, Eidos and Jeep plan to leverage the partnership with events and campaigns throughout this year that complement both brands. Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend is slated for a winter release on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Windows PC and the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft. More details are available at www.tombraider.com.