Suzuki Begins Sophomore Season of Heisman Trophy Sponsorship With Roster Expansion
6 October 2000
Suzuki Begins Sophomore Season of Heisman Trophy Sponsorship With Roster Expansion
American Suzuki Proud to Continue Sponsorship of American Institution
BREA, Calif., Oct. 6 American Suzuki Motor Corporation
kicked-off the sophomore season of its sponsorship of the Heisman Trophy in
September with launch of Corporation's first national cross-divisional
advertising campaign. Strategic changes made to American Suzuki's Heisman
game plan for the 2000 season include a new advertising campaign featuring
print, radio and video components in addition to expanding American Suzuki's
"You Choose the Winner" Heisman Sweepstakes to include dealers from the
Corporation's Motorcycle, Automotive and Marine Divisions.
American Suzuki's innovative multi-million dollar advertising campaign
features "Heisman Heroes" print, radio and video pieces highlighting the
stories of 11 Trophy winners including Doug Flutie, Roger Staubach, Tony
Dorsett, Bo Jackson and Earl Campell that will run throughout the college
football season. Each feature highlights the athlete's winning story and his
record of achievement on and off the field after winning college football's
most coveted prize.
"American Suzuki Motor Corporation and our dealers are proud to support
the Downtown Athletic Club's long-standing mission to inspire excellence
through its annual presentation of the prestigious Heisman Trophy," said Rick
Suzuki, president of American Suzuki Motor Corporation. "Based on the success
of last year's sponsorship, we have expanded our program to include all three
of our product lines and have already signed-up more than 1,450 of our
dealers."
The print campaign elements include two-page Heisman Heroes features that
will be published in Sports Illustrated throughout the college football
season. November issues of Sports Illustrated and USA Today will also feature
mail-in Heisman "You Choose the Winner" Sweepstakes ballot entry forms, which
enable the public to cast their vote for winner of the Heisman Trophy and
compete for a host of prizes.
The broadcast component of the campaign includes Grand Vitara "Mud Bowl"
telestrator commercials that air on CBS, ESPN, and during ESPN2's Heisman
presentation show, in addition to the Suzuki Heisman Watch broadcasts at
halftime during Saturday college football games on CBS. Heisman Heroes video
vignettes will also be shown during selected college football games on
jumbotrons across the nation, as well as on the CNN and CNN/SI web sites
throughout the season.
The radio broadcast portion of the campaign consists of American Suzuki's
"Hut, Hut, Hike" 30-second spots that will run nationally on ESPN, Westwood
One, Global, Premiere and One-on-One radio networks throughout the college
football season.
American Suzuki's sponsorship of the Trophy has also created a first-ever
opportunity for the public to vote for its choice for Heisman Trophy winner in
Suzuki's "You Choose the Winner" Heisman Sweepstakes. Fans are able to vote
for the player of their choice on a preliminary ballot at participating Suzuki
motorcycle, automotive or marine dealerships. The public's choice then
receives one vote in the official Heisman Trophy selection process.
On December 7, 2000, Suzuki Heisman Sweepstakes winners will be drawn.
The grand prize winner will be awarded a 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara Limited
Edition SUV and a trip for two to attend the 2001 Heisman ceremony. The first
prize winner will receive a Suzuki Marauder 800 motorcycle. The second prize
winner will be awarded a Suzuki DF40 4-Stroke outboard motor. One hundred
third place winners will receive Heisman winner autographed footballs.
The Motorcycle, Automotive and Marine Divisions of American Suzuki Motor
Corporation (ASMC), headquartered in Brea, Calif., market more than
60 products through a U.S. dealer network totaling more than 1800 dealerships
in 49 states.
Suzuki began marketing motorcycles in the U.S. in 1963; in 1977, the
American Suzuki added its Marine Division and began marketing outboard motors.
The Automotive Division or ASMC was formed in 1985.
ASMC's parent corporation, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) -- based in
Hamamatsu, Japan -- is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of motorcycles,
automobiles, outboard motors, small engines, power equipment, industrial
machinery and prefabricated housing. Incorporated in 1920, SMC has
122 distributors in 175 countries.
ASMC can be reached via the Internet at http://www.suzuki.com. Journalists can
reach the American Suzuki media Web sites at http://www.media.suzuki.com.