Nationals Fans Take Drive $marter Challenge As Team Takes on ‘Beltway Series’ Rivals

Washington, D.C., June 26, 2008 – The Alliance to Save Energy will showcase its Drive $marter Challenge -- a campaign to help U.S. consumers lower their gasoline costs by being more fuel efficient -- during the June 29 game of the “Beltway Series” between the Washington Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles that will be played at the Nationals’ new LEED-certified stadium.

While fans enjoy the rivalry between the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles in this unusual inter-league game, more than 30,000 cards with efficient driving and vehicle maintenance tips will be distributed to the fans upon entering the stadium. The Alliance also contributed to an insert in the team’s free game program, The Inside Pitch, which showcases 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.

“With the summer driving season in full swing, our campaign could not be more timely in helping consumers, who are seeing their family budgets eroded by high gas prices,” said Alliance President Kateri Callahan.

Other promotional activities at the June 29 1:35 pm game will include a discussion of the Drive $marter Challenge during a pre-game TV broadcast, display of driving and car maintenance tips on the stadium’s jumbotron, and an appearance by the infamous Energy Hog, the “spokesvillain” for energy waste.

The Alliance has partnered with the Wal-Mart Foundation and 16 other diverse partners from the nonprofit sector, government, and trade associations, as well as private-sector companies, for the Drive $marter Challenge campaign. Thanks to campaign partner ExxonMobil’s existing relationship with the Nationals, the Alliance was given this important opportunity to reach thousands of local drivers with fuel-efficiency tips.

The Drive $marter Challenge campaign delivers money- and gas-saving tips through many creative channels including an interactive website, English and Spanish tip cards, humorous radio public service ads, billboards, mobile marketing, and podcasts. The campaign’s downloadable video, audio, images, logos, releases, fact sheets, and bios can be found on a broadband media website.