Cost Plus World Market Announces Partnership With Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Highly Anticipated Film “Eat Pray Love”

Exclusive Line of Licensed Products Developed to Evoke the Essence of the Film

OAKLAND, Calif.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Cost Plus World Market (www.worldmarket.com) is pleased to announce its partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment and the highly anticipated film, Eat Pray Love, which will be released in theaters nationwide on August 13, 2010. World Market has licensed a line of Eat Pray Love products organic to the film’s themes, including leather journals, prayer beads, clothing and accessories, and wines from Italy, that evoke the essence of the forthcoming motion picture.

Liz Gilbert is a modern woman on a quest to marvel at and travel the world while rediscovering and reconnecting with her true inner-self in Eat Pray Love. At a crossroads after a divorce, Gilbert takes a year-long sabbatical from her job and steps uncharacteristically out of her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life. In her wondrous and exotic travels, she experiences the simple pleasure of nourishment by eating in Italy; the power of prayer in India; and, finally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and balance of love in Bali. Based on an inspiring true story, Eat Pray Love proves that there really is more than one way to let yourself go and see the world. The film is directed by Ryan Murphy. The screenplay is by Ryan Murphy & Jennifer Salt, based on the book by Elizabeth Gilbert. Dede Gardner produces.

As a company whose buyers shop the world – including the key locations of Italy, India, and Indonesia – to bring back unique, authentic, and affordable items to its retail locations, World Market was the perfect choice to partner with Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Beginning July 17, World Market locations will have an in-store shop, which will feature Eat Pray Love-licensed products as well as items from the retailer’s collection, including jewelry from India, gourmet food baskets, incense, mats, lanterns, an Indonesian bench, and an Italian bistro table set. From July 17 through August 28, customers can enter online www.worldmarket.com or in-store for a chance to win a grand prize trip for two to one of the three destinations featured in the film – Italy, India, or Bali – provided by Intrepid Travel; a $1000 World Market gift card, and a private movie screening of Eat Pray Love. Additional prizes include one first prize of a $500 World Market gift card, an Eat Pray Love gift basket (ARV: $200), and two movie tickets to see Eat Pray Love, and two second prizes of a $250 World Market gift card, an Eat Pray Love gift basket (ARV: $200), and two movie tickets to see Eat Pray Love.

Throughout the promotion, World Market will be sampling The Republic of Tea’s Eat Pray Love Tea at select stores. The tea blends flavors from Elizabeth Gilbert’s three destinations of self-discovery – succulent blood oranges from Italy, smooth black tea from India, and heartwarming cinnamon from Indonesia.

More information about World Market’s Eat Pray Love product and in-store and online promotions and events, can be found at www.worldmarket.com. Keep up with World Market by following us on www.facebook.com/worldmarket and www.twitter.com/worldmarket.

About Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution, operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in more than 130 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at www.sonypictures.com.

About Cost Plus World Market

Cost Plus World Market operates 263 stores in 30 states under the names “World Market” and “Cost Plus World Market.” The store features an ever-changing selection of casual home furnishings, housewares, gifts, jewelry, decorative accessories, over 500 international wines, gourmet foods and beverages offered at affordable prices and are imported from more than 50 countries. Many items are unique and exclusive to World Market regularly supplied by an international network of individual and regional artisans developed over the Company’s more than 50 years in the import business.