Thursday, January 10, 2008

Mitsubishi Motors still official auto sponsor for AFL in 2008

Mitsubishi Motors Renews As Official Automobile Manufacturer Of The Arena Football League
ArenaBowl MVP to Once Again Receive Brand New Mitsubishi Automobile
January 9, 2008 -- NEW YORK --

Mitsubishi Motors has renewed as the Official Automobile Manufacturer of the Arena Football League's 2008 regular season, and will become the Exclusive Automobile Manufacturer of the 2008 AFL playoffs, including ArenaBowl XXII, both organizations jointly announced today. The one-year agreement mirrors last year's partnership, including a variety of branding and activation elements, such as helmet decals, as well as a full slate of playoff and ArenaBowl promotional platforms.

New this year will be Mitsubishi Motors' activation at eight 2007-2008 auto shows being held in AFL markets including Tampa, Orlando, Phoenix, San Jose, Philadelphia, Chicago, Cleveland and Dallas. The Mitsubishi Motors exhibit at each of these shows will feature an AFL themed interactive display, including a green screen component allowing visitors to pose for a picture as if they were an AFL player. The exhibit will be complete with team specific jerseys and an official AFL football. Pictures will be downloadable from a joint Mitsubishi/AFL microsite. Select auto shows will also feature appearances and autograph sessions by players from local teams.

"We are thrilled to be continuing our partnership with Mitsubishi Motors and are excited about the evolution of our joint activation for 2008," said AFL Deputy Commissioner & President, Ed Policy. "Mitsubishi Motors, like the AFL, is an organization that truly values its relationship with its consumers. Together we have a partnership built to last."

"The AFL has great fans that are just as passionate and enthusiastic about football as our spirited customers are about driving Mitsubishi vehicles, so we see the two brands as a natural compliment," said Dan Kuhnert, executive vice president of sales and marketing for MMNA. "We're very excited to continue our relationship for a second year and we hope that it continues well beyond the 2008 season."

"After the success of last year, we felt that a deeper and richer partnership between Mitsubishi and the AFL would be a benefit," said Susan Taylor, Managing Partner, PHD West. "This year we have increased the level of integration with all elements of the AFL package, including online, print and on-site, building promotions/sweepstakes to cross platforms in 'Driving to the Arena Bowl.'"

As part of their ArenaBowl sponsorship, Mitsubishi Motors will again present the ArenaBowl Most Valuable Player with a new Mitsubishi automobile. Last July, San Jose SaberCats quarterback Mark Grieb was named MVP for his performance at ArenaBowl XXI in New Orleans, after completing 24 of 29 pass attempts for 218 yards and four touchdowns and leading his team to a 55-33 over the Columbus Destroyers.

Mark Grieb/SJ Sabercats

Grieb was presented with a Mitsubishi Spyder, but later requested and was granted a Mitsubishi Outlander, which he felt would be more appropriate than the high-performance convertible Spyder for his wife and twin three-year-old daughters. Grieb received his new Mitsubishi Outlander at Serramonte Mitsubishi in Colma, CA. -MMNA

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