Conseco and NASCAR Announce Marketing Partnership; Conseco to Sponsor A.J. Foyt's Return to NASCAR Racing
4 September 1999
Conseco and NASCAR Announce Marketing Partnership; Conseco to Sponsor A.J. Foyt's Return to NASCAR Racing
CARMEL, Ind.--Sept. 3, 1999--Conseco, Inc. and the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing today announced a marketing partnership that designates Conseco "the Official Financial Services Provider of NASCAR."Conseco also announced today that it will sponsor a NASCAR Winston Cup team headed by auto racing legend A.J. Foyt, beginning with the 2000 Daytona 500, the first race of the 2000 season.
"This is an extremely exciting day for Conseco, our 16,000 employee associates, our representatives and our 12 million customers across America," said Thomas J. Kilian, Conseco's executive vice president and chief operations officer. "For us and for an entire generation of auto racing professionals, teams and fans, A.J. Foyt is a hero. We're very pleased to be part of A.J.'s return to NASCAR, and we expect Team Conseco to be a force to be reckoned with.
"As the Official Financial Services Provider of NASCAR, we have the opportunity to connect in a truly unique way with the values and interests of our customers, representatives and employee associates. For many of them, NASCAR is a religion, not just a sport," Kilian said. "We're planning to capitalize on that opportunity through an extensive program of advertising, promotions, hospitality and other special events.
Conseco also announced a Team Conseco sweepstakes to celebrate its new relationship with NASCAR. Racing fans across the country can register now at the company's Web site - www.conseco.com - to win the grand prize, an all-expense paid trip for two to the 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup race of their choice and experience the thrill of meeting A.J. and Team Conseco, or one of more than 1,000 other prizes.
"We're proud to join the NASCAR family, and to make NASCAR a key part of our brand-building strategy, which also includes naming rights for Conseco Fieldhouse, the home of the NBA's Indiana Pacers which opens Nov. 6, 1999," Kilian said.
Conseco's official sponsorship was facilitated by NASCAR's New York marketing team, which helps execute opportunities benefiting the sport's drivers, teams and tracks.
"We're looking forward to partnering with the leading financial services firm serving middle America, Conseco," said Brian France, senior vice president of NASCAR. "With its commitment to building a winning team around the legendary A.J. Foyt, together with its exclusive category sponsorship, Conseco has made it clear that it plans to be a major player in our sport, taking its place alongside other top sponsors and consumer brands like Coca-Cola, Kellogg's and Eastman Kodak. These companies earn the support of NASCAR fans because they are just as serious about contributing to NASCAR's growth and excitement as they are about building their own brands."
Foyt said, "I'm really excited to be back in the NASCAR family. The folks at Conseco are proven winners and are making a strong commitment to Team Conseco and to NASCAR, and we aim to win. NASCAR is a very competitive sport, but with the support of an outstanding sponsor, we feel like we're going to get off to a flying start." Foyt, who is the only driver to win the Daytona 500 (NASCAR), the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of LeMans, will be making his first appearance on the NASCAR circuit since 1994.
Headquartered in Carmel, Ind., Conseco is one of middle America's leading sources for insurance, investment and lending products. Through its subsidiaries and a nationwide network of insurance agents and finance dealers, Conseco provides solutions for both wealth protection and wealth creation to 12 million customers.
NASCAR's New York City-based corporate marketing team is headed up by managing director Brett Yormark, whose efforts helped Conseco become the first diversified national financial services company to join NASCAR's Official ranks. The New York team has signed more than 12 such sponsorships since July 1998.
World Wide Web http://www.conseco.com Investor Hotline 800.4.CONSECO Fax-on-Demand 800.344.6452