INDIANAPOLIS and ATLANTA, Apr 3, 2003 /PRNewswire-Firstcall via COMTEX/ -- Reality TV is getting even more "real" this spring exclusively in Simon Malls across the country, as Coca-Cola embarks on a 21-mall "Behind-the-Scenes with American Idol" tour that launches simultaneously in early April from New York and Miami.

The tour brings the excitement of the pop culture phenomenon from the living room TV directly into Simon malls in major markets throughout the country, with live events that will bring thousands of people across the United States face to face with their favorite stars from the show's first and current season. In addition to watching performances from some of their American Idol favorites such as EJay Day, RJ Helton, Vanessa Olivarez, Charles Grigsby, Kristin Holt and Jim Verraros, mall visitors will experience a Q&A session with the American Idol celebrities, an American Idol trivia contest and behind-the-scenes video clips. Fans also can participate in a live karaoke contest designed to feel like an American Idol audition, view and participate in dance demonstrations, enter a sweepstakes to win one of two Coca-Cola Red Couches as seen on the American Idol set, and have their own likeness as an "American Idol" captured by digital photography which they can then download from a computer using a special code card.

The 14-market, 21-Simon mall tour kicks off April 5 in Miami and New York and culminates simultaneously May 2-4 in Los Angeles and Atlanta, just prior to the May finale of American Idol's second season on Fox. In between, the tour will visit Simon Malls in Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Indianapolis, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego and Washington, D.C.

"Being a second season sponsor of American Idol, we're thrilled to take our marketing off-air with the 'Behind the Scenes with American Idol' tour," said David Raines, vice president, Integrated Communications, Coca-Cola North America. "Staging this tour with our partners at Simon Malls, which host approximately 400 million teen shopping visits each year, is a great avenue for bringing people a fun, interactive American Idol experience."

Coca-Cola has created in-program elements such as the Red Room and the "Behind-the-Scenes Moments," that when coupled with local activities like the "Behind the Scenes with American Idol" tour, enhance and extend the excitement of American Idol for fans across the country. American Idol, the hit television show from Fox, can be seen Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

About FremantleMedia

FremantleMedia is one of the largest international producers of entertainment programs in the world, producing more than 180 programs in over 33 countries. The company is responsible for US favorites such as the hit series "American Idol," the award-winning 100 Centre Street," "The Nero Wolfe Mysteries," "The Price is Right" and "Family Feud" in syndication. The company's international distribution division sells 17,500 hours of programming to 150 countries worldwide. FremantleMedia is the production business arm of RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio company.

About 19 Entertainment

19 Entertainment, founded by Simon Fuller, is the creator of "Pop Idol," the format of which is now rolling out worldwide in conjunction with Fremantle Media. 19 is known for many leading music artists, such as Annie Lennox, the Spice Girls and S Club, and whose activities encompass movies, TV, video/DVD, internet and commercial relationships -- see www.19.co.uk.

About Simon Brand Ventures

Founded in 1997, Simon Brand Ventures has pioneered the transformation of shopping malls into a medium where consumer brands can build one-on-one relationships with more than 100 million shoppers who make approximately 2 billion visits to Simon malls each year. Simon Brand Ventures has entered into strategic partnerships with more than 100 retailers and sponsors within the last year, including Coca-Cola, Cingular Wireless, Reebok and VISA U.S.A., to stage memorable brand experiences in Simon malls through a variety of media platforms.

About Simon Property Group

Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE: SPG), headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a real estate investment trust engaged in the ownership and management of income-producing properties, primarily regional malls and community shopping centers. Through its subsidiary partnerships, it currently owns or has an interest in 242 properties containing an aggregate of 185 million square feet of gross leasable area in 36 states, as well as nine assets in Europe and Canada. Additional Simon Property Group information is available at http://www.simon.com/.

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company, marketing four of the world's top five soft drink brands, including the number one soft drink Coca-Cola. Consumers in nearly 200 countries enjoy The Coca-Cola Company's products at a rate of more than 1 billion servings each day. For more information about The Coca-Cola Company, visit www.coca-cola.com.

SOURCE Simon Property Group, Inc.