AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/-- The Detroit Pistons announced
that National City will be the presenting sponsor for the 2008-09 regular
season and the playoffs.
"The Detroit Pistons presented by National City" marks only the second
time in team history that the franchise has been presented by a sponsor for
the regular season and playoffs. National City has a successful relationship
as a major sponsor with the team over the past several seasons.
"We are pleased to have National City as the presenting sponsor of the
Detroit Pistons," said Pistons President & CEO Tom Wilson. "National City is
well known and respected statewide and nationally, and they are known as much
for their commitment to customer service in the banking industry as we are in
our industry. When our presenting sponsorship became available, the existing
relationship we had with them made them a natural to be on the short list of
companies we approached."
As presenting sponsor, National City will be included in a number of
marketing elements including drops/logos on all television, radio and print
ads; the National City logo on Pistons tickets and pocket schedules; in-arena
advertising for National City; prominent placement of its logo on the
Pistons.com web site; the National City logo incorporated into Pistons staff
uniforms and point-of-sale signage at all Locker Room stores.
"This relationship will go much farther than a simple promotional
platform," continued Wilson. "National City will continue to be a key
participant in the Pistons Read to Achieve program and other Community
Relations efforts. We believe this type of broad-based, community-driven
partnership is a key way of making the presenting sponsorship deal work for
the team, for National City and, most importantly, for the fans."
Fans will benefit from the relationship in a variety of ways. National
City will provide Pistons tickets to area youth who otherwise might not have
an opportunity to attend a game. They will also offer special promotions and
discounts throughout the season for designed games. In-arena, guests will
benefit with contests during the game providing additional entertainment and
opportunities, and with fan giveaways.
David Boyle, president for National City in Michigan and Northwest Ohio
said, "Our decision to become the presenting sponsor of the Pistons is an
extension of our continued growth and expansion in this market and will
bolster our efforts to reach local customers with National City's industry
leading products and services and people who are second-to-none. The Detroit
Pistons are a winning team with a winning strategy. At National City, we know
we have the same."
"Our bank has enjoyed an extraordinary collaboration with the Pistons,
which will only be enhanced by our role as presenting sponsor. We have raised
funds for breast cancer awareness, prevention and research, and have honored
area breast cancer survivors with ceremonies at Pistons games in Grand Rapids
and Detroit, as well as helped our local communities with the Pistons in Read
To Achieve campaigns. This year, we will honor breast cancer survivors at the
Pistons' opener at the Palace on October 29 and at the Van Andel arena in
Grand Rapids on October 14," Boyle said.
Boyle emphasized, "We are absolutely excited the National City branches in
Michigan and Northwest Ohio will become official 'touch points' for Pistons
basketball. We care about rewarding our customers for their loyalty."
He explained that as the Pistons presenting sponsor, National City
customers will benefit from special offers on their National City Pistons
check cards and on the bank's industry leading rewards program -- points from
National City. Additionally, National City customers will receive 20 percent
discounts on merchandise at official Pistons Locker Room stores.
"The combination of the Pistons' success promoting National City, and the
on-going National City marketing campaign promoting the team will boost the
level of awareness for both organizations," added Wilson.
The financial terms of the multiyear agreement were undisclosed.
The Detroit Pistons open the 2008-09 pre-season at The Palace on October 8
at 7:30 p.m. vs. Milwaukee Bucks. Other home pre-season games include October
14 at 7 p.m. vs. San Antonio Spurs (at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids),
October 16 at 7:30 p.m. vs. Dallas Mavericks, October 22 at 7:30 p.m. vs.
Cleveland Cavaliers and October 23 at 7:30 p.m. vs. Atlanta Hawks.
The regular season begins on October 29 at 8 p.m. when the Pistons begin
defense of their Central Division title by hosting division rivals, the
Indiana Pacers, on their quest to compete in the NBA's Eastern Conference
Finals for the seventh consecutive year.
About National City:
National City Corporation (NYSE: NCC), headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio,
is one of the nation's largest financial holding companies. The company
operates through an extensive banking network primarily in Ohio, Florida,
Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin,
and also serves customers in selected markets nationally. Its core businesses
include corporate and retail banking, mortgage financing and servicing,
consumer finance and asset management. For more information about National
City, visit the company's Web site at www.nationalcity.com.
SOURCE Detroit Pistons