PRESS RELEASE
RadioShack Partners With Seven-Time Tour de France Winner Lance Armstrong to Form New Cycling Team in 2010
FORT WORTH, Texas and AUSTIN, Texas, July 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- RadioShack Corporation (NYSE:RSH)
is proud to announce a partnership with seven-time Tour de France
winner Lance Armstrong to form a new American Pro-Tour cycling team.
Beginning in 2010, Lance Armstrong will compete for Team RadioShack as
a cyclist, runner and triathlete in events around the world, including
the 2010 Tour de France.
Lance Armstrong returned to the world stage of professional cycling
in order to promote the efforts of the LIVESTRONG Foundation and their
fight against cancer. From the start of the 2009 season at the Tour
Down Under in Australia, Lance's return has generated significant
attention and has allowed LIVESTRONG to step up awareness, grassroots
action and fundraising in the global fight against cancer.
"This has been a great season so far - the response in the countries
we've been to has been amazing and it's clear now that this was the
right choice. Utilizing the massive media attention that the sport
receives has been the perfect vehicle to help spread the LIVESTRONG
message around the world," said Lance Armstrong. "To be able to compete
for an American team comprised of the world's top cyclists, supported
by the best coaches and staff - I couldn't be happier to partner with
RadioShack, a truly iconic American brand," said Armstrong.
"Teaming up with RadioShack makes sense for a number of reasons. For
one, it's very appealing to me that they have a huge base of stores
throughout the U.S. and Mexico. We have an incredible opportunity to
leverage RadioShack's connection to tens of millions of people to
spread the LIVESTRONG message," said Armstrong. "Also, in cycling, the
technology we use on our bikes matters - it allows us to compete at the
highest level. It's important to me to partner with a brand that
understands the role technology plays in people's lives."
"RadioShack keeps people connected in a highly mobile world through
innovative technology from leading brands," said Lee Applbaum,
RadioShack's Chief Marketing Officer. "As one of the greatest athletes
of our generation, a father, a cancer survivor, and a tireless advocate
in the fight against cancer, Lance Armstrong understands the power of
keeping people connected and that's why we feel he's the perfect
partner for our brand. "
"This is an exciting time at RadioShack," added Applbaum. "We are
re-launching our brand with a new creative platform in early August,
and now having Lance on our team - an American icon who embodies the
spirit of mobility, connectivity and philanthropy - really allows us to
accelerate our brand's evolution."
RadioShack also plans to activate their 35,000 employees and almost
6,000 stores across the country to raise awareness and funding for the
fight against cancer through the Lance Armstrong Foundation and
LIVESTRONG. "We know that cancer research and survivorship is near to
the hearts of many of our associates and customers, and together with
Lance and his Foundation, we have the power to make a meaningful
difference," said Julian Day, RadioShack's Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer.
RadioShack will also sponsor the LIVESTRONG Foundation's signature
fundraising event, the LIVESTRONG Challenge Series, a 5K run/walk and
cycling ride held in four cities throughout the United States,
providing support for an ongoing, self-sustaining fundraising vehicle
to raise money for the fight against cancer.
"RadioShack's sponsorship will help spread the spirit of the
LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign and fuel its efforts make cancer a
global priority. The cancer community salutes RadioShack's efforts and
the investment they are making in support of 28 million people living
with this disease," said Doug Ulman, CEO of the Lance Armstrong
Foundation.
Wasserman Media Group managed the partnership process on behalf of Capital Sports & Entertainment and Lance Armstrong.
About RadioShack Corporation
RadioShack Corporation (NYSE:RSH)
, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is one of the nation's most
experienced and trusted consumer electronics specialty retailers,
offering innovative products and services from leading brands. Our
knowledgeable, helpful sales associates are committed to enhancing the
in-store shopping experience by listening to our customers, offering
advice, and partnering with them to find the best technology solutions
that fit their needs. Operating from convenient and accessible
neighborhood and mall locations, the company has approximately 4,450
company-operated stores; almost 1,400 dealer outlets; nearly 600
wireless phone kiosks throughout the U.S.; and approximately 200
company-operated stores in Mexico. For more information on RadioShack
Corporation, or to purchase items online, visit www.RadioShack.com.
Capital Sports & Entertainment
Based in Austin, Texas, Capital Sports & Entertainment (CSE)
builds and manages experiences, personalities, businesses and brands.
CSE has launched successful enterprises such as the Austin City Limits
Music Festival, Lollapalooza, the Discovery Channel Pro-Cycling Team,
C3 Presents, and C3 Management. CSE ran and managed the Discovery
Channel Pro-Cycling Team from 2004-2007 after taking over as manager of
the United States Pro-Cycling Team. CSE created media and marketing
partnerships that produced integrated programming on OLN/Versus, ESPN
and Discovery. CSE will be the General Manager for Team RadioShack,
which will compete as a Pro-Tour team. Additionally, CSE manages the
Trek-LIVESTRONG U23 Team, a joint project between Lance Armstrong and
Trek Bicycle to help develop the next generation of great American
cyclists. For more information about CSE or its clients and properties,
visit www.planetcse.com.
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000518/DATH047LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: RadioShack Corporation
CONTACT: Mark Higgins of Capital Sports & Entertainment,
+1-512-560-6233, mhiggins@planetcse.com; or Erin Griffin of Cohn & Wolfe,
+1-512-542-2826, erin.griffin@radioshack.com, for RadioShack
Web Site: http://www.radioshack.com/
http://www.planetcse.com/
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