Thom McAn Launches Innovative Out-of-Home Ad Campaign With FreeCar Media; New Program Launches in Major Markets Nationwide
5 December 2000
Thom McAn Launches Innovative Out-of-Home Ad Campaign With FreeCar Media; New Program Launches in Major Markets Nationwide
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 5 Five lucky drivers will hit the
streets today in their Thom McAn branded cars. These strategically selected
drivers will get paid to do so in an effort to increase recognition for the
Thom McAn brand Footstar Inc. , a leading footwear retailer.
Footstar has signed an agreement with FreeCar Media, creator of a
revolutionary new form of out-of-home advertising, for branded cars to be
driven in major markets nationwide including Atlanta; Fort Worth, Texas; Lodi,
New Jersey; Los Angeles and San Diego.
"We are very pleased to join forces with FreeCar Media by incorporating
this bold new advertising trend while differentiating from traditional methods
we have used in the past," said Jeff Shepard, president and CEO of Meldisco,
licensee of Thom McAn. "Our primary demographic for this campaign is families
and the FreeCar Media advertising model is an effective and proven method to
generate brand awareness and increase store traffic throughout our key
markets."
"Launching the Footstar fleet of cars nationwide, strategically places the
brand within highly populated and targeted areas, creating an inventive way to
influence its target market to shop for the Thom McAn brand, available at
Kmart stores nationwide," said Keith Powers, vice president and co-founder of
FreeCar Media.
FreeCar advertisers focusing on family demographics can now advertise in
geographic areas that previously were off-limits, such as school campuses,
residential neighborhoods and community sports fields. Interested drivers --
including parents, students, commuters, retirees and others -- who fill out an
online application at http://www.FreeCar.com are selected by advertisers based on
their lifestyle and where they drive. In addition to wrapping existing
vehicles, FreeCar Media also provides new cars with branding messages and
logos for a two-year period to selected drivers.
Footstar Inc. headquartered in Mahwah, New Jersey, is a leading footwear
retailer. The Company's Meldisco division is a leader in the discount
footwear segment, operating 2,415 licensed footwear departments, primarily in
Kmart stores. As of November 25, 2000, the Company's Footaction division,
headquartered in Irving, Texas, operated 552 mostly mall-based stores in
43 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Company's Just For
Feet division, headquartered in Mahwah, New Jersey, operated 91 superstores
located predominantly in the Southern half of the country. Just For Feet and
Footaction sell branded athletic footwear and apparel.
Based in Los Angeles with offices in New York and Japan, FreeCar Media's
wrapped vehicles are the newest innovation in alternative out-of-home
advertising, providing advertisers an interactive and visual marketing tool
with which to reach their audiences. The company offers advertisers the
opportunity to wrap their name and logo around a vehicle model of their
choice, driven by a driver of their choice. From retail chains to consumer
products and brokerage houses, FreeCar Media has a vehicle and driver to match
each advertiser's reach and target audience. Existing advertisers include
Jamba Juice, Andersen Consulting, Mobile Engines, Taco Bell and Yahoo! Japan.
To find out how to become an advertiser, or to sign up as a driver, visit
http://www.FreeCar.com. For more information or to schedule an interview, please
contact Joanne Licausi at (619) 234-0345 or via email at
licausi@formulaPR.com.