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ZAP Electric Vehicle Entrepreneur Listed in Ad Age Marketing 100

7 July 2000

ZAP Electric Vehicle Entrepreneur Listed in Ad Age Marketing 100

    SEBASTOPOL, Calif. - Advertising Age Magazine's "Marketing 100" lists an 
electric vehicle pioneer and a 30 lb. electric scooter.

    Ad Age has been known for over 70 years as the industry leader for
marketing and advertising news and information.  In its newly released
Special Report, "The Marketing 100," Ad Age picks ZAPWORLD.COM
CEO Gary Starr as one of "the best minds in marketing today."  The prestigious
list also includes Steve Jobs of Apple for creating iBook, Anheuser-Busch
veteran Andy Goeler for the marketing genius behind Bud Light, and Alan Cohen,
VP Marketing from ABC Entertainment Group, credited with the success of the
No.1 TV show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire."

    ZAP CEO Gary Starr, who built his first electric car as a college student
in the '70s, is convinced the technology to build electric vehicles is
here -- what is needed are fun ways to market them.  The article talks about
the ZAPPY, a small, battery-powered scooter you ride while standing.  The
scooter has been popping up everywhere this year, with celebrities, at
sporting events, in television advertising, in give-a-ways by Fortune
500 companies.  Starr says the ZAPPY has captured the imagination of American
consumers.

    "What's interesting about electric vehicles is your imagination is the
only limiting factor," says Starr in the interview.  "Even though the company
stands for Zero Air Pollution, most people think we stand for innovation and
fun.  People ride this thing because it's a blast to ride."

    While a team at the company develops product extensions, Starr looks for
strategic marketing partners.  ZAPPYs have been used in advertising by such
companies as MCI Worldcom, Netscape Communications, Joe Boxer, and Renault; as
gift premiums by Lincoln Mercury, Skechers Footwear, and Donna Karan; by
mascots of the San Francisco Giants, San Jose Sharks, San Diego Padres,
Philadelphia '76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs; and rock
groups like The Beastie Boys, Limp Biskit, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

    "We have just begun to scratch the surface," said Starr.  "The general
public knows that electrics are the future; what they're beginning to realize
is that they are here now, and that they are totally the coolest way to get
around.  Larger companies can benefit from the association with cutting edge,
fun products and by directly benefiting the environment."

    ZAP has introduced several more non-polluting vehicles this year such as
the KICK inline scooter, the SeaScooter, and the E-Kart.