Alan Rypinski, International Marketing Guru, and Founder of ArmorAll(R), Joins Forces with American Tire Corporation
23 August 2000
Alan Rypinski, International Marketing Guru, and Founder of ArmorAll(R), Joins Forces with American Tire Corporation
Latest Venture "No-Flat" Bicycle Tires
LAS VEGAS, Aug. 23 Alan F. Rypinski, the marketing
superstar and entrepreneur who founded ArmorAll into one of the best known
brands ever, is now taking on the tire industry, beginning with bicycles as
his latest challenge. Rypinski announced today that he has executed an
exclusive worldwide sales and marketing agreement with Las Vegas based bicycle
tire manufacturer American Tire Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: ATYR)
( http://www.amerityre.com ). Rypinski has also become a member of the company's
board of directors.
American Tire has patents and patents pending relating to the production
of urethane "flat free(TM)" tires, including bicycle tires marketed under the
brand name "AirRiders(TM)". In addition to the benefits of being flat proof,
another safety factor is that the AirRiders(TM) are available in a fluorescent
yellow that can be seen at night by headlights from a distance of
approximately 200 feet.
"I'm thrilled to be a part of this project," said Rypinski." We are
starting with two and three wheeled bicycles and plan to soon be involved in
anything that requires tires up to and including automobiles. Our opinion is
that the market is huge in the U.S, and Europe. Third world nations where
bicycles serve as a primary form of transportation, is an enormous opportunity
as well.
Richard A. Steinke, founder and CEO of American Tire Corporation said, "We
are extremely pleased and proud to have Alan join us. He brings a vast,
creative and successful background in marketing consumer products around the
world."
Rypinski, a native of Orange County, California, has received many awards
over the years. In 1980, Automotive Marketing named Rypinski as "Man of the
Year". In 1995, Advertising Age featured him on the "Superstars of Marketing"
cover. Business Week in conjunction with Advertising Age also inducted him
into the "Marketing Hall of Fame." Rypinski's most notable success was
ArmorAll, taking the company from its shoestring beginnings to a $150 million
international mega brand. ArmorAll's success in the automotive market place
cleared the way for the creation of a brand new brand category called-
"protectant."
After selling ArmorAll to the McKesson Corporation in 1979, Rypinski
served in a number of prominent national and international roles, first
serving as President, Chairman and Chairman Emeritus through December 1996.
As the managing director of Prolong International, he created five new
products for the appearance products division.
Rypinski is also an active member of the World President's Organization
(WPO) serving in many offices including chairman of the California Coast
Chapter of the WPO.
Safe Harbor Statement: Except for the historical information, the matters
set forth herein which are forward looking statements involve certain risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ. Potential risks
and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, any perceived or actual
benefits of Mr. Rypinski's promotional efforts and his ability to duplicate
the results of his successful promotion of ArmorAll products in the bicycle
tire market, as well as the market conditions and available markets for
American Tire's bicycle tire products, market acceptance of the products and
the successful technical and economic implementation of American Tire's
operations.
For more information, contact: Jeff Cornett of Ink, Inc., 816-753-6222, or
816-806-3264, or e-mail, jcornett@inkincpr.com.