Nationals Fans Take Drive $marter Challenge

Washington, D.C., June 29^th, 2008 - They came from all corners of the Beltway and beyond to watch two area teams compete. But little did these Orioles and Nationals fans know that energy efficiency was part of the game plan for the June 29th baseball game at Washington, D.C.’s new Nationals Stadium. Thanks to a unique promotion opportunity through stadium sponsor and Alliance partner ExxonMobil, the Drive $marter Challenge (D$C) reached thousands of baseball fans at Sunday’s game.

First, a discussion of the D$C during a pre-game TV broadcast with VP of Corporate Relations and Communications Gail Hendrickson set the stage for energy awareness.

The D$C campaign’s money- and gas-saving driving tips were featured on the jumbotron, while at the Alliance booth – conveniently located behind home plate – passers-by collected tip cards on the D$C and were even able to take the Drive $marter Challenge through laptop computers available at the booth.

The Alliance also contributed to an insert in the team’s free game program, The Inside Pitch, which showcased how the Nationals and ExxonMobil have taken steps to be energy efficient, and how consumers can learn more about energy-efficiency tips and resources through the Alliance to Save Energy.

ExxonMobil’s $50-gas card give-away for fans holding specially-marked game programs drew even more traffic to the Alliance booth, where Alliance staff instructed winners how to stretch those gas dollars to the max through smart driving and maintenance tips.

But perhaps the most visible Alliance element was the ‘spokesvillan’ Energy Hog, who shared the turf with Nat’s mascot Screech, high-fiving fans of both teams. But for the Hog, there was little else of interest at this stadium: the first ballpark to be awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED certified) D.C.’s Nationals Stadium is a model of energy efficiency hosting a national pastime.