Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced an enhanced activation plan to expand its sponsorship as the presenting automotive sponsor of Verizon Center in Washington D.C. As part of this next stage of the sponsorship, the upper level concourse will now be officially called the “Penthaus,” a play off Volkswagen’s German roots. Home to the Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals, Washington Mystics and Georgetown Hoyas, Volkswagen will also familiarize fans with its brand through a host of fan-friendly offerings: a new Innovation Station educational exhibit, Max’s Lounge for corporate hospitality events, and the TDI Victory Box, showcasing VW’s eco-friendly motorsports properties. Verizon Center will begin its Volkswagen transformation in advance of this Saturday’s Wizards game against the Detroit Pistons. Installations will be completed in time for the NHL Playoffs.
“Through this next stage in our partnership, Volkswagen is going to bring more of its personality to Verizon Center and the great sports fans in Washington D.C.,” said Tim Ellis, vice president of marketing, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “As a brand built for the people, we hope fans in the Volkswagen Penthaus will enjoy the newly enhanced experience.”
Penthaus Perks
The Volkswagen Penthaus will incorporate a blue and white color scheme and branded sections highlighting the 2009 full lineup of Volkswagen models. A section of the concourse area in the Penthaus will now feature the TDI Victory Box, a race-themed seating area educating fans about TDI technology and Volkswagen’s eco-friendly motorsports property – the Jetta TDI Cup. Fans can relax before the game or in between periods in the TDI Victory Box and experience VW race memorabilia, driver highlights, clips from past races and schedules for events in 2009.
All Verizon Center fans will be able to enjoy the Volkswagen Innovation Station. This interactive display will provide information about key VW technical attributes including the award-winning 2.0T engine, DSG, 4Motion drive, vehicle safety features, the Eos convertible top and Volkswagen’s TDI clean diesel technology. Volkswagen will also introduce Max’s Lounge – formerly Coke Theater. Max’s Lounge will be open by reservation over 200 times a year to businesses and organizations hosting meetings and events at Verizon Center, with accessibility to the general public on select dates.
About Volkswagen’s 2008-09 Partnership with Verizon Center
As the exclusive automobile partner for Verizon Center and the Washington Wizards, Volkswagen is the presenting sponsor of the upper concourse at the arena. Volkswagen also has six automobiles displayed between the main and upper concourses. Signage is also featured on the LED boards and high-definition scoreboard at Verizon Center, as well as in-game promotional opportunities, courtside signage, and advertising opportunities on the building’s outdoor video marquee. Presence on both the Verizon Center and the Washington Wizards websites is also part of the agreement.
Verizon Center is a 20,000 seat multi-purpose venue consistently ranked in the top 10 among venues nationwide, and ranked in the top 20 worldwide, by leading trade publications Pollstar, Billboard and Venues Today. Pollstar nominated Verizon Center for arena of the year in 2007 alongside seven other top performing venues, including Madison Square Garden, Air Canada Centre and the Staples Center. The venue is home to over 220 events per year ranging from professional basketball and hockey to concerts to family shows to world-class tournaments. The arena has entertained over 27 million people since opening in December of 1997 and sparked a revitalization in the downtown Chinatown neighborhood to the tune of $6.2 billion inclusive of retail, restaurants and condominiums.
About Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Volkswagen of America, Inc. recently announced Electronic Stability Program (ESP) as standard equipment on all its 2009 vehicles. As a result, Volkswagen is one of the only original equipment manufacturers to offer an electronic stability control system on their entire product line – ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) deadline requiring vehicles in the 2012 model year to include stability control systems. Volkswagen’s ESP technology works in conjunction with anti-lock brakes and helps reduce loss of control.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen Group of America is headquartered in Herndon, VA. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GLI, Passat, Passat Wagon, CC, Eos, Routan, Tiguan and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com.