Idol News: Are You Ready for Idol Ice Cream?

The “American Idol” brand will be expanding more than ever before this year as rights holder Fremantle media cooks up more and more deals.

The three major sponsors will all be back this season with new promotions. Ford will give viewers a chance to appear in the finalist videos. Coca-Cola will allow viewers to submit questions to the contestants via MyCokeRewards.com. And Cingular customers will be able to download performance clips from the show.

McDonald’s, MasterCard and others will help support the website, AmericanIdol.com. The site will stream the entire show after it airs.

Plus, there will be plenty of “Idol” on store shelves as Coke will promote the show on its cans, Nestle will sell “Idol” candy bars and Dreyer’s will introduce “Idol” ice cream flavors including “Hollywood Cheesecake” and “Drumstick Diva.”

Other deals being negotiated include “Idol” Monopoly and an “Idol” theme-park attraction.

“Advertising Age” estimates the “Idol” franchise is “conservatively” valued at 2.5 billion dollars…

One product already on the shelves is the “American Idol Karaoke Revolution” video game which allows players to compete in front of the judges with over 40 songs—most of which have been performed on the show. I’ll let you know how this one is after I get a chance to play mine…

Here’s what else is going on in “Idol” world…

Kelly Clarkson will guest star on “Reba” this Sunday. She’ll play a potential competitor for Barbra Jean’s weathercaster gig. “Reba” airs at 7:30 p.m. on the CW…
Katharine McPhee will play herself on the February 1st episode of “Ugly Betty.” The episode is about the magazine’s runway show. February 1st is the beginning of February sweeps…

By the way, I caught a listen of Katharine’s first single, “Over It.” Talk about a musical mess…

Paula Abdul will serve as an executive producer on “Bratz: The Movie,” a live-action feature based on the popular doll line. She will also play a “major character” and consult on casting, music, dancing and fashion. The movie is scheduled for an August release…

Ryan Seacrest is working on his reality show, “Paradise City.” “City” follows a group of twentysomethings trying to make it big in Las Vegas. Seacrest is the Executive Producer of the show, which will debut on E! in the spring…


Photos courtesy of Gannett News Service