NASCAR’s top execs today gave a three-hour presentation to 125 execs from Sprint Cup teams in Concord, N.C. They gave teams an update on NASCAR’s industry action plan, a five-year initiative to boost youth and multicultural interest in the sport, improve social and digital media and raise the profile of drivers and personalities. In addition, NASCAR shared screenshots of the new website they are developing and talked about its plan for new mobile applications. It also offered an update on its '13 car, which will look different from manufacturer to manufacturer, and its fan and media engagement center, which it is in the process of launching to measure social engagement and media coverage. The presentation was led by NASCAR CMO Steve Phelps, VP/Strategic Development Eric Nyquist, Senior VP/Racing Operations Steve O’Donnell, VP/Digital Media Marc Jenkins, VP & Chief Communications Officer Brett Jewkes and VP/Industry Services Jill Gregory (Tripp Mickle, SportsBusiness Journal).
Meanwhile, NASCAR "does not anticipate the proposed sale of Sprint to impact the company's title sponsorship of the Cup Series." Sprint today formally announced a deal in which Japan-based SoftBank will acquire a 70% stake in the company for $20.1B, with completion of the acquisition expected by mid-2013. NASCAR CMO Steve Phelps in a statement said, "Sprint has been successful using our sport as a platform to enhance its brand. ... NASCAR fans have rewarded Sprint with their business and loyalty, and we don't expect that to change" (CBSSPORTS.com, 10/15).
