Midas Names D. Bruce Hutchison Vice President, Marketing, U.S. Operations

11 August 1998

Midas Names D. Bruce Hutchison Vice President, Marketing, U.S. Operations

    CHICAGO--Aug. 11, 1998--Midas Inc. announced today that D. Bruce Hutchison, 49, has accepted the position of vice president, marketing, U.S. operations.
    "Hutchison's success with building and revitalizing national consumer brands in the automotive service and consumer electronics industries will be a natural fit for Midas as we continue to strengthen our automotive business," said Wendel H. Province, chairman and chief executive officer of Midas. "His appointment will add momentum to the programs we've initiated to capitalize on the Midas brand potential in the marketplace."
    Most recently, Hutchison served as vice president, advertising and market research for Thomson Multimedia, the $8 billion French consumer electronics giant which owns the market share leading RCA, GE, and ProScan brands in North America in addition to the Thomson, Saba and Telefunken brands worldwide.
    Hutchison directed the revitalization of the RCA brand with the return of the RCA dog "Nipper" and new puppy "Chipper" to RCA advertising resulting in two gold Effie Awards (1993, 1996) and USA Today recognition as one of the top three advertising campaigns of 1997. He led the communications launch strategy for the RCA Digital Satellite System, considered the most successful new product launch in consumer electronics history. In addition, Hutchison conceived the RCA sports marketing strategy which included sponsorships of the NFL, NASCAR, NCAA, RCA Dome, and the RCA Tennis Championships.
    Prior to joining Thomson, Hutchison was a vice president with D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles (DMB&B), one of General Motors' largest advertising agencies. An original launch team member of the precedent setting Mr. Goodwrench marketing program, Hutchison has extensive automotive experience on the General Motors Parts, Pontiac, Cadillac, GM Corporate and General Tire accounts.
    Hutchison holds a B.A. from Franklin & Marshall College and an M.B.A. in marketing from Eastern Michigan University.
    Midas is one of the world's largest providers of automotive service, including exhaust, brake, steering, suspension and maintenance services. There are nearly 1,900 Midas locations in the United States and more than 800 Midas stores in 18 other countries worldwide.