Catalyst worked closely with NASCAR’s internal public relations team to support its season launch race, the 50th Running of the Daytona 500.
The focus of the assignment was to engage core NASCAR audiences / fans to drive viewership of the historic event.
Implementation:
Catalyst utilized its strategic media relations process to identify the media consumption habits of NASCAR’s target audience and in turn developed a comprehensive Viewers Guide that highlighted key story angles to help drive coverage.
Catalyst conducted aggressive media outreach more than 60 days prior to the Daytona 500 to ensure placements were secured in influential long- and short-lead outlets.
Results:
Catalyst’s stand-alone efforts generated more than 110 million strategically targeted impressions in top-tier outlets including TV Guide, Parade, Sports Illustrated, ESPN.com, EW.com, Country Weekly, On Sat Magazine, Los Angles Times, The Boston Globe and The Charlotte Observer, the equivalent of more than $2 million in publicity value.
33.5 million Americans watched at least part of the 2008 Daytona 500, making it the second highest-rated and second most-watched 500 ever on Fox.