August 20,
2004
Contact: Fred Jones
901-398-6655 You Can't Miss the Southern
Heritage Classic
Corporate partners turn up the heat this year
MEMPHIS -- Celebrating its 15th year, the Southern Heritage
Classic presented by FedEx is creating more excitement than
ever before – thanks to its corporate partners.
"The Classic is everywhere you look," said Fred
Jones, founder of the Classic and president of SMC Entertainment.
"From the front windows of AutoZone stores to First Tennessee’s
financial centers to the Exxon Tigermarkets to Budweiser’s
event calendar to every Sprite and Fanta can you buy –
the Classic is there."
Jones credits the elevated visibility of the Classic this
year to the growing excitement about the event from corporate
partners.
"It’s almost unreal how they’ve stepped
up this year," said Jones. "Of course, the real
satisfaction comes from knowing that these are business people,
and they wouldn’t be expanding their commitment to the
Classic if they didn’t see real and growing value from
being associated with an event that has exploded in importance
to the local community."
- Coca-Cola is running a promotion with its Fanta and Sprite
cans, in which people can buy three tickets to the Classic
football game and get a fourth one free. Coke also has partnered
with all the Exxon Tigermarkets in the area to display signage
promoting the Classic and do another promotion, in which
people can win tickets to the Classic football game, a two-night
stay at The Peabody or a special 15th anniversary commemorative
jacket that Coke and FedEx have partnered to produce.
- First Tennessee signed a multi-year commitment to be a
sponsor and is running a promotion in which people who open
a new account can get tickets to the game or to a special
game party in the First Tennessee suite at the Liberty Bowl
Memorial Stadium.
- AutoZone is displaying a Classic poster in the windows
of all of its stores in the region.
- In addition to being the presenting partner of the Classic,
FedEx is running Classic information on its internal communications
TV, and an employee appreciation event is being held in
conjunction with the Classic, giving away tickets to the
game.
- Grand Casino Tunica has devoted a TV channel on its in-house
cable to the Classic, making the Classic video available
to all 1,400 rooms in the months leading up to the game.
Additionally, the Grand is using the Classic in all of its
promotional materials.
- Local Budweiser distributor, D. Canale Beverages, is producing
a Classic events calendar.
- Allstate Insurance has distributed Classic information
for all of its agents to use in Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi,
Kentucky and Louisiana.
The Southern Heritage Classic debuted in 1990, pitting Tennessee
State University from Nashville, Tenn., against Jackson State
University from Jackson, Miss. The Classic football game is
the largest annual single-day event in Memphis.
Tickets to the game are now on sale. Tickets are $35-$10,
and all seats are reserved. They will be available at all
area Ticketmaster outlets, including the Liberty Bowl Memorial
Stadium box office, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
To charge by phone, call (901) 525-1515 (Memphis and West
Tennessee); (601) 355-5252 (Jackson, Mississippi); (615) 255-9600
(Nashville); (501) 975-7575 (Little Rock).
The 15th annual Southern Heritage Classic presented by FedEx,
produced by SMC Entertainment, is scheduled for September
16-18, 2004. For information on the Classic events go online
to www.southernheritageclassic.com.
Corporate Partners
FEDEX - AUTOZONE - ALLSTATE INSURANCE - NIKE
FORD DIVISION - COCA-COLA - BUDWEISER - FIRST TENNESSEE
GRAND CASINO TUNICA - GOVERNOR’S HIGHWAY SAFETY OFFICE
American Airlines is the official carrier for the Southern
Heritage Classic
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