Fans of the year’s most popular television shows are either celebrating or commiserating this morning with the release of the 2014 Emmy Award nominations. In 1955, the marketing team for The Ford Motor Company was among those eager fans, waiting to see if their perfectly timed television sponsorship would walk away with the coveted prize.

Kicking off a series of sponsored events titled the Ford Star Jubilee, Judy Garland starred in the inaugural 90-minute program. The Jubilee became an 8-time Emmy nominated TV show, winning a total of three awards and helping the automaker reach an entirely new audience of consumers.

FUN FACT: The success of the Ford Star Jubilee sparked a three-year contract between Garland and CBS for a new variety program, The Judy Garland Show, in 1963. Despite initial success, the show was cancelled one year later. (Source: Wikipedia)