VIZIO Announces Nominees for Eighth Annual Top Value Performer Award and Invites Fans to Cast Their Votes For Their Favorite Player

Candidates Include Denver’s C.J. Anderson, Pittsburgh’s Le’Veon Bell, Baltimore’s Justin Forsett, Cincinnati’s Mohamed Sanu and New Orleans’ Kenny Stills

Irvine, CA — January 5, 2015 — VIZIO, America’s #1 Smart TV brand1, today announced nominees for its annual VIZIO Top Value Performer (TVP) award.  For the eighth consecutive year, the VIZIO Top Value Performer award aims to recognize the professional football player whose on-field performance most exceeds the value of their annual base salary.  This year’s TVP candidates include Denver’s C.J. Anderson, Pittsburgh’s Le’Veon Bell, Baltimore’s Justin Forsett, Cincinnati’s Mohamed Sanu and New Orleans’ Kenny Stills.

For the second year, VIZIO partnered with pro-football analyst and former general manager, Charley Casserly, to determine this year’s top five nominees.  The selections were based on the players’ regular season performances, statistics and role in the success of their respective teams.  These factors were then measured against their base salaries to nominate this year’s finalists.  

Similar to this season’s Top Value Performer candidates, VIZIO has established itself as one of America’s leading consumer electronics brands after emerging on the scene in 2002. Currently ranked the #1 Smart TV ¹ and #1 sound bar ² company in America, VIZIO has continued to maximize value for consumers while raising standards of quality, design, performance and customer service, resulting in a beautifully simple and best-in-class entertainment experience.

“Now in its eighth year, the VIZIO Top Value Performer program continues to celebrate the hard work and outstanding achievements of the league’s top athletes, and we’re thrilled to have one of our most competitive fields ever,” said Lily Knowles, Vice President of Product Marketing, VIZIO. “We love seeing players and fans rally together each year to drive votes and connect over social to help bring national attention to the impactful results that these talented players bring to the field in every game.”

VIZIO is calling on fans nationwide to choose the 2014 Top Value Performer by voting online at VIZIO.com/TVP from now, until January 19th at 11:59 p.m PT.  For a closer look at the players, fans can view Casserly’s candidate overview videos and browse through the players’ season stats on the website prior to casting their votes.  Following each vote, fans will have a chance to enter a raffle to win a new VIZIO P-Series Ultra HD Smart TV.  Members of VIZIO’s online social community – VIZIO Fandemonium – will earn points for their votes, redeemable for prizes like signed memorabilia, VIZIO products, digital downloads and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.   VIZIO will announce this year’s TVP winner in the weeks following the close of voting.

The 2014 VIZIO Top Value Performer nominees include:

C.J. Anderson // @CjAndersonRB9 // #TVPAnderson
Denver, Running Back #22
Undrafted out of college, C.J. Anderson signed with Denver prior to the 2013 season where he barely made it on to the field during his rookie year. 2014 had a similar feeling as Anderson found himself buried on Denver’s depth chart. Mid-way through this season however, Anderson got his chance and has not looked back. Since his breakout game against Oakland, Anderson has been a fixture in Denver’s high-scoring offense. His surging play and $495,000 base salary make Anderson a solid candidate for the 2014 TVP award.

Le’Veon Bell // @L_Bell26 // #TVPBell
Pittsburgh, Running Back #26
A second-year player, Le’Veon Bell has built on a solid rookie campaign by becoming one of this season’s breakout stars. Among the league-leaders in yards from scrimmage, Bell is just as dangerous catching the ball out of the backfield as he is taking handoffs. Bell accounts for a huge part of Pittsburgh’s offense and is an absolute steal with a base salary of $495,000. Bell’s production this year certainly warrants consideration for the 2014 TVP award.

Justin Forsett // @Jforsett // #TVPForsett
Baltimore, Running Back #29
Justin Forsett is one of the league’s best stories this season. In his seventh year and on his fourth team, Forsett has found a home in Baltimore. In the midst of a career season, Forsett is at the top of the league in numerous rushing categories and has been consistent all year. The 2008 seventh round pick, is a bargain with a base salary of $730,000, making him a TVP nominee to watch.

Mohamed Sanu // @Mo_12_Sanu // #TVPSanu
Cincinnati, Wide Receiver #12
Stepping in for an injured player, Cincinnati needed Sanu to take on a bigger offensive role this season and he has done just that. In his third year, Sanu is having a career season with personal bests for receptions, yards and touchdowns. Growing up in New Jersey, Sanu was a standout in both football and track before moving on to college. This TVP contender was the 83rd pick in the 2012 draft and has a base salary of $590,000.

Kenny Stills // @KSTiLLS // #TVPStills
New Orleans, Wide Receiver #84
After developing a great relationship and consistent rapport with his quarterback, Kenny Stills has become a top target in New Orleans. The 2013 fifth-round pick has instantly improved the New Orleans offense by giving the team a legitimate deep threat. With a base salary of $495,000, Stills is a strong option for this year's VIZIO TVP award.

Previous TVP winners include quarterback Russell Wilson (2012 and 2013), wide receiver Victor Cruz (2011), wide receiver Stevie Johnson (2010), wide receiver Steve Smith (2009) and quarterback Matt Cassel (2008).

¹ The NPD Group Retail Tracking Service, LCD only-apps included, Total Units sold in the U.S.: January –September 2014. The NPD Group Retail Tracking Service, LCD only-apps included, Total Units sold in the U.S.: January –September 2014.
² The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, units sold in the U.S., Jan 2011 – Dec 2013


About VIZIO
VIZIO, Inc. is headquartered in Irvine, California. VIZIO skyrocketed to the #1 shipper of LCD television in North America in Q2 2007 ¹ , within five years from their first shipment, and has been in the top 3 ever since ² . VIZIO is now also America’s #1 Smart TV company ⁵ and large size LCD TV company ³ VIZIO is also the #1 Sound Bar Brand in the U.S ⁴ . For over a decade, VIZIO has remained committed to what it does best -- focus on the consumer to deliver visionary products at a great value. The brand is consistently recognized for excellence in customer service, and was awarded 19 Stevie Awards, including the Grand Stevie Award in the 8th Annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. VIZIO offers a broad range of award winning consumer electronics that now include PCs and mobility products.  VIZIO's products are found at Amazon, Best Buy, BJ’s Wholesale, Costco Wholesale, Sam's Club, Target, Walmart and other retailers in North America. VIZIO has won numerous awards including Reviewed.com’s 2014 Best of the Year Value 4K TV, Best of the Year Mid-Range LCD and CES Editor’s Choice, “Best of CES 2014” by IGN, “Best of CES 2014” by PC Magazine and “Best of the Best 2014” by UltraHDTV Magazine for its Reference Series Ultra HD Full-Array LED Smart TV.  VIZIO’s P-Series Ultra HD Full-Array LED Smart TV was also recognized by The Verge as “Best TV of CES” for 2014 as well as awarded “Best of CES” by Complex and “Best of Show” by Wired for 2014.  VIZIO also earned #1 ranking in the Inc. 500 for Top Companies in Computers and Electronics and made the lists of Ad Age's Hottest Brands, CNET's Editor's Choice, CNET Best of CES 2011 - Television, CNET Best of CES 2013 – Home Theater and Audio, Sound & Vision’s Top Picks, Good Housekeeping's Best Big-Screens, PC World's Best Buy and Popular Mechanics Editor's Choice among many other prestigious honors.  For more information, please call 888-VIZIOCE or visit www.VIZIO.com.

¹ NPD DisplaySearch Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report, North America LCD Shipments Q2 2007
² NPD DisplaySearch Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report, North America LCD Shipments, Annual 2007-2013
³ The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, 60” and greater LCD units sold, Jan 2013 – Mar 2014
⁴ The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, units sold in the U.S., Jan 2011 – Dec 2013
⁵ The NPD Group / Weekly Tracking Service, Flat Panel TV units with Apps included, Dec 30 2012 – May 24 2014

Press Contacts for VIZIO:
Katie Kotarak
The Brand AMP
T: 562-719-2146
E: katie@thebrandamp.com

Jim Noyd
Noyd Communications Inc.
T: 310-951-3768
E: jim.noyd@noydcom.com


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