UPDATE – Ask.com Enters NASCAR with Multi-Faceted Partnerships: Ask.com, a leading search engine and an operating business of IAC, announced it has entered into partnerships NASCAR, NASCAR.com, and Hall of Fame Racing. Under the terms of the partnership with NASCAR, Ask becomes the Official Search Engine of NASCAR, with category exclusivity and a broad set of promotional rights in order to reach the sports estimated 75 million loyal fans.
“As part of our strategy to go deeper into the highest-volume categories and provide the best answer, the first time, every time, we want to be the first place fans search online for NASCAR information,” said Ask.com Chief Executive Officer Jim Safka.”Through these partnerships, we will break new ground by applying our semantic search technology capabilities to NASCAR-related content while also tapping one of the largest marketing channels in America. Our goal is to win over the millions of loyal fans by providing them with the best NASCAR search experience on the Web, and introduce them to all of Asks capabilities when they come.”
Ask.coms agreement with Hall of Fame Racing will make Ask the primary sponsor of the #96 Ask Ford in the Sprint Cup Series, the sports premier level, giving the brand a frequent presence in front of NASCARs massive at-track crowds and broadcast audiences. Former NASCAR Cup Series champion Bobby Labonte will pilot the car in 2009, beginning with the Daytona 500 in February. Ask.com is also in discussions with NASCAR-sanctioned track operators and media rights holders to identify strategic opportunities that will allow the brand to reach the sports 75 million fans through on- and off-line channels during the 2009 NASCAR season, including at-track displays and in-arena media. Tom Garfinkel, Owner, Hall of Fame Racing:”Jeff Moorad and I are excited to add Ask.com as a primary sponsor on the #96 car. Weve been working closely with Ask.com for several weeks now, and their talented management team has come up with more creative ideas to serve NASCAR fans than Ive seen in a long time. With our new Yates partnership and having a true champion and class person in Bobby Labonte behind the wheel, were expecting great things on the race track as well.”
Bobby Labonte, Driver of the #96 Ask.com Ford:”Im excited to be part of what Ask.com is bringing to our sport. In a time like this, its great to see a sponsor come in with technology and ideas that will help all of the competitors in NASCAR and enhance the experience for all of our fans, no matter which driver or team they cheer for.”(Ask.com/Taylor PR)(1-14-2009)