AutoTrader.com and NBA Announce New Marketing Agreement
NEW YORK--The National Basketball Association and AutoTrader.com today announced an agreement that makes the Web-based company an official league marketing partner, which includes advertising coverage during all NBA games on TNT and a significant presence during the NBA’s marquee events including the NBA All-Star 2007 in Las Vegas. AutoTrader.com will also be highly-involved in the NBA Playoffs and The Finals.
TNT NBA Tip-Off Show Presented by AutoTrader.com airs regularly throughout the NBA season Thursday evenings at 8 p.m. ET, and is hosted by Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith, with guest appearances by Reggie Miller and Magic Johnson. Special NBA All-Star editions of the show will air Saturday, February 17 and Sunday, February 18 at 8 p.m. ET. The pregame show is shot in high-definition and is simulcast on TNT HD.
On-court signage and 30-second advertising spots will run during over 200 games and reach over 50 million people on TNT, NBA TV and on the CNN Airport Channel in 42 airports nationwide. In addition, the league and its new marketing partner will actively cross-promote on their Web sites. NBA.com will feature AutoTrader.com video ads and banners and AutoTrader.com will also be included in the NBA e-newsletters.
“With the success of last year’s sponsorship of the NBA on TNT, it was natural for us to broaden our relationship to become an official marketing partner of the NBA and presenting partner of the NBA on TNT Tip-Off Show,” said Clark Wood, Vice President of Marketing, AutoTrader.com. “Reaching out to sports fans continues to be a successful formula to introduce people to AutoTrader.com and to connect more automotive buyers and sellers through our site.”
“AutoTrader.com will be a valuable partner with promotions around our key times of the season and a major presence with our television partner TNT,” said Mark Tatum, NBA Sr. Vice President, Marketing Partnerships. “Joining the NBA roster during NBA All-Star, our marquee weekend and one of TNT’s most important windows, is perfect timing.”
“As a leader in NBA programming for the past 22 years we always look to further enhance existing relationships with the best in their respective fields,” said Trish Frohman, Executive Vice President of Turner Sports Sales. “Building on the success of last year we look forward to pairing AutoTrader.com with the TNT NBA Tip-Off Show and our Emmy award-winning studio team.”
Also included in the partnership is the “Drive to The Finals” playoff promotion on NBA.com. In 2006, AutoTrader.com awarded “Drive to The Finals” contest winner James Welsh of Bonfield, Ill., $25,000 toward the purchase of a vehicle on AutoTrader.com.
About AutoTrader.com
AutoTrader.com, created in 1997 and headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., is the Internet's leading auto classifieds marketplace and consumer information website. AutoTrader.com aggregates in a single location more than 3 million vehicle listings from 40,000 dealers and 250,000 private owners, which provide the largest selection of vehicles attracting more than 11 million qualified buyers each month. Through innovative merchandising products such as multiple photos and comprehensive search functionality, AutoTrader.com unites buyer and seller online - dramatically improving the way people research, locate and advertise vehicles.
AutoTrader.com is a majority-owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises. The venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers is also an investor.
About the NBA
The NBA, founded in 1946, is a global sports and entertainment brand that features 30 teams in the United States and Canada.
During the 2005-06 season, the NBA distributed 44,000 hours of programming to 215 countries and territories in 43 languages. The league’s worldwide reach can also be seen with 82 international players on NBA rosters. Domestically, the NBA broadcasted 142 games on national television this past season on ABC, TNT, ESPN and ESPN2, and eclipsed attendance records for the third consecutive season.
NBA Entertainment, the league's award-winning production and programming division, produces NBA TV, a 24-hour television network, and exclusive content for each of the NBA's team web sites, and the league's official sites, NBA.com, WNBA.com and NBADLEAGUE.com. The NBA is also an established leader in sports marketing, currently maintaining its longest list of fully integrated domestic and global marketing partnerships with the most recognizable brands in the world, including the leading Internet content and technology providers that bring the game even closer to fans around the world.
As fans witness tremendous performances on the court, some of the NBA's most significant efforts occur off the court. This past year, the league launched its most ambitious community outreach endeavor, NBA Cares. Over a five-year span, players and teams will raise and contribute $100 million for charity, donate more than one million hours of volunteer service to communities worldwide, and build more than 100 educational and athletic facilities where children can learn and play. For more information on the NBA, visit NBA.com.
About Turner Sports
Turner Sports, Inc., a Time Warner company, presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised sports programming. With events airing on TBS and TNT, Turner Sports’ line-up includes the NBA, NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, Major League Baseball, college football, professional golf, PGATour.com, PGA.com and ACC Select.
Turner Network Television (TNT), television’s destination for drama and one of cable’s top-rated networks, offers original movies and series, including the acclaimed detective drama The Closer, starring Emmy®, Golden Globe® and Screen Actors Guild Awards® nominee Kyra Sedgwick; Saving Grace, a daring new drama starring Oscar®-winner Holly Hunter; Heartland, a powerful medical drama with Treat Williams and Kari Matchett; and this summer’s eagerly anticipated television event The Company, executive-produced by Ridley Scott and starring Chris O’Donnell, Michael Keaton and Alfred Molina. TNT is also home to powerful one-hour dramas, such as Without a Trace, Law & Order, Las Vegas, Cold Case, ER, Charmed and Judging Amy; broadcast premiere movies; compelling prime-time specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards®; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA. TNT is also available in high-definition.