NetZero Announces NASCAR Marketing and Sponsorship Program With Sprague, Hendrick Motorsports
Business Editors & High-Tech/Consumer ReportersFONTANA, Calif.--Oct. 28, 2000--NetZero Inc. , a leading provider of advertising- and commerce-supported Internet access, today announced a NASCAR marketing and primary sponsorship program with NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Jack Sprague and Hendrick Motorsports.
The announcement was made at the California Speedway in conjunction with the final race of the 2000 NCTS campaign. Sprague, a two-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, will carry the red, white and blue NetZero colors on his No. 24 Chevrolet Silverado beginning with the truck series opener at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 13, 2001.
"This is a big day for everyone associated with NetZero," stated Brian Woods, chief marketing officer of NetZero. "We are very impressed with NASCAR racing as a marketing vehicle and feel like it is a perfect fit to add even more power to the already rapid growth we've experienced since introducing NetZero in October 1998.
"To be associated with a championship driver like Jack Sprague and a platinum-quality organization like Hendrick Motorsports in our first NASCAR program is more than we had ever hoped for."
Since its launch in October 1998, NetZero (www.netzero.net) has registered more than 5 million users and is available in more than 5,000 cities nationwide. NetZero offers consumers free, easy-to-use, unlimited Internet access, free e-mail and navigational tools through its exclusive `ZeroPort' instant speed dial feature. Free 365 days a year, 24/7 telephone customer service is also available to all NetZero users.
"From its inception, NetZero has tried to provide Internet users and advertisers with the highest-quality services available," said Mark R. Goldston, NetZero chairman and chief executive officer. "We have also tried to align NetZero with premier companies throughout the business spectrum, and General Motors is certainly a premier company when it comes to the automotive industry.
"Our friends at General Motors have in turn led us to our new association with NASCAR, Jack Sprague and Hendrick Motorsports. We could not be happier or more excited about the opportunities ahead for NetZero and everyone involved in this new high-profile program."
Sprague and his Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado should provide plenty of excitement when the 2001 season takes the green flag at Daytona. The 1997 and 1999 NCTS titlest, Sprague is the only driver to start all 145 races run to date in the six-year history of the series.
During that time, the 36-year-old Sprague has won 19 times, his first NCTS victory coming in 1996 at Phoenix, with his most recent triumph this season at Evergreen, Wash. Sprague has finished in the Top 10 a whopping 89 times in his 145 series starts to date.
"Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to enjoy great success in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series behind the wheel of a Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet," said Sprague. "We've always had great sponsorship, most recently from GMAC Financial Services. I'm totally confident we're going to provide that same kind of championship-caliber performance to NetZero.
"We're looking to take the No. 24 NetZero Chevrolet Silverado to Victory Lane a bunch of times in 2001 and, with any luck, score a third NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship."
The NetZero NASCAR sponsorship with Sprague and Hendrick Motorsports is a multiyear agreement. GMAC Financial Services will continue its relationship with Sprague as an associate sponsor on the No. 24 Chevrolet Silverado.
For more information about the 2001 NetZero NASCAR Marketing and Primary Sponsorship program with Jack Sprague and Hendrick Motorsports, contact David Johns at Motorsports Management Group (770/339-4043 or mmgatl@netzero.net). Media opportunity requests with Jack Sprague should be directed to John Close, Motorsports Management Group (704/236-9986 or closefinishes@netzero.net).
About NetZero Inc.
NetZero is a leading provider of advertising- and commerce-supported Internet access offering a broad range of interactive marketing, research and measurement solutions. NetZero offers consumers free access to the Internet, free e-mail and customizable navigation tools that provide "speed dial" to key sites on the Internet.
Through proprietary technologies, NetZero offers advertisers unique targeting capabilities through numerous online advertising and sponsorship channels. The company's CyberTarget division offers marketers and advertisers mass-scale, online market research and measurement services.
NetZero is a Cisco Powered Network, providing its access services to more than 5 million registered users in more than 5,000 cities across North America. For more information, visit www.netzero.net. To obtain a CD, call 800/DEFENDER.
This announcement may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, NetZero's unproven model and limited operating history; the company's ability to grow its user base, generate advertising revenues and decrease telecommunications costs; and the effects of competition for users and advertisers. More information about potential factors that could affect the company's business and financial results is included in the company's Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange commission (http://www.sec.gov) including (without limitation) information under the captions "Management's Discussion of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors." NetZero(R) Defenders of the Free World, the NetZero(R) logo, zcast(TM), CyberTarget(TM), NZTV(TM) and The ZeroPort(TM) -- are trademarks of NetZero Inc. All other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.