Tennis Legend McEnroe to Pitch Lincoln Products

    IRVINE, Calif., July 3 Lincoln, official sponsor of the
US Open tennis tournament, has signed tennis champion John McEnroe for its new
television advertising campaign set to debut on July 5 and run throughout the
summer.
    The two 30-second spots, themed "Tennis the Way It Ought to Be," were
filmed at the United States Tennis Association (USTA) National Tennis Center
in Flushing Meadows, New York.  The spots feature McEnroe in his now familiar
role as tennis commentator, opining on proper on-the-court etiquette, in his
usual no-holds-barred style.  Each spot focuses on a different Lincoln
vehicle:  the Navigator, Lincoln's luxury SUV, stars in "Change Over"; and the
LS, Lincoln's luxury sports sedan, is featured in "Ballboy."
    "John McEnroe embodies the championship spirit, the energy and the
attitude of tennis -- all of the reasons why Lincoln became involved with the
sport," said Deborah Wahl, marketing communications manager for Lincoln.
"Lincoln is known for defining 'luxury without rules,' a trait which McEnroe
also exhibits -- on and off the court -- making him an ideal spokesperson for
Lincoln and our continuing support of the US Open."
    As an example, in the spot titled "Ballboy," McEnroe comments that "it's
important to get to the ball quickly" just as a player commits an unforced
error, smashing a forehand into the net.  Effortlessly, a ballboy jumps into a
Lincoln LS, speeds towards the ball, screeches to a stop, opens the door and
retrieves it.  McEnroe finishes the spot with an admonition to "keep your eye
on the ball and your hand on the wheel!"
    The second spot, titled "Change Over," features the Lincoln Navigator and
shows a tennis player using the Navigator's unique climate-controlled seats to
keep cool between sets.  McEnroe adds, "keep a cool head and a dry shirt."
Both commercials were created by the Irvine office of Young & Rubicam.
    "McEnroe's presence and the commercials themselves represent the evolving
nature of Lincoln vehicles and the company's strong commitment to tennis and
the US Open Championships," said Sherry Pollack, Y&R Creative Director.  "We
wanted to capture the spirit and enthusiasm of tennis with these commercials,
by showing people how much fun the game ought to be."

    MCENROE BIOGRAPHY
    John McEnroe embodies the American spirit.  His pursuit of perfection,
combined with a technical mastery, have made him a popular champion and a
tennis legend.  An All-American and NCAA Champion at Stanford, he won his
first Grand Slam singles title in 1979 when he won the first of four US Open
Championships.  In all, he captured seven Grand Slam singles championships and
ten Grand Slam doubles championships.  In August 1999, McEnroe was inducted
into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

    LINCOLN AND TENNIS
    Lincoln began its involvement with the USTA last year by signing on as the
Official Vehicle of the US Open tennis tournament and Exclusive Sponsor of the
Men's Singles Championship.  Lincoln also is the exclusive vehicle and sponsor
of USA League Tennis, the world's largest grass roots tennis league, and the
World TeamTennis Pro League, America's only professional co-ed team sport.

    Lincoln, based in Irvine, Calif., markets the Lincoln LS, Navigator, Town
Car and Continental.  The all-new Lincoln Blackwood will arrive in dealerships
in summer 2001.  More information is available at lincolnvehicles.com.