PRESS RELEASE
Bank of America Chicago Marathon Celebrates Race's Community Impact with New Campaign
Introduces first-ever digital fundraising program and new creative
featuring 2009 race participants and spectators Releases results of
newest economic impact study showing continued growth in event's
contribution to host city
CHICAGO, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bank of America Chicago
Marathon today launched its first-ever digital fundraising program,
further extending the race's annual philanthropic impact of generating
$10 million for local, national and global charities. The Marathon also
introduced new advertising featuring 2009 race participants as well as
results of a 2008 event economic impact study.
"Our 2009 campaign demonstrates how the Bank of America Chicago
Marathon makes a significant impact on not only the individual
participants who aspire to achieve their personal best, but also to the
more than 120 charities that benefit from the race as well as the
economy in the host city of Chicago," said Tim Maloney, Illinois State
and Chicago Market President for Bank of America. "It's a source of
great pride to know that through our involvement in this event we can
continue to contribute to the economic, social and cultural vitality of
the city and leave a positive mark on the lives of so many people."
The digital fundraising program and advertising launch this month
online, in print and outdoor to celebrate the 32nd running of the Bank
of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 11.
Digital Fundraising Program - Footprints for Charity
Beginning today, fans everywhere are invited to customize a digital
running shoe tread with a personal image and tailored message at
www.chicagomarathon.com/footprint. For each submission, Bank of America
will donate $1 to the designer's choice of one of 22 charities, up to a
maximum total contribution of $50,000. The completed digital footprints
will be viewable on the event site's home page.
On race day, the final results of the fundraising effort will be
announced and an additional $10,000 will be awarded by Bank of America
to the charity that received the most submissions on its behalf.
Fans interested in creating a digital footprint of their own should
visit www.chicagomarathon.com or www.facebook.com/ChicagoMarathon where
videos, training tips from elite runners and the latest Bank of America
Chicago Marathon news are also available.
Participant-Focused Advertising Campaign
To celebrate the many inspiring stories that come to life on race
day, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is introducing a unique and
new advertising campaign for the 2009 event featuring real athletes and
spectators, ranging from elite, world-class racers to a mother who
spends her days chasing triplets.
The 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon campaign, created by BBDO
New York, illustrates the theme that every participant and spectator
who attend on race day directly contribute to the impact that the race
leaves behind.
Seven participants from this year's event are featured in the campaign, and some of the inspiring stories include:
-- Steven Baskis (Forest Park, Ill.), an U.S. Army infantryman who lost
his vision in combat last year in Iraq will prove that limited sight
won't stand in the way of achieving his goals
-- Kurt Fearnley (Australia) will challenge the Paralympic record books -
again - as he defends his 2007 and 2008 Chicago titles
-- Marc Gershman (Scottsdale, Ariz.) will take another step towards
completing marathons in all 50 states
-- Sammy Wanjiru (Kenya), the 22 year-old 2008 Beijing Olympic Games gold
medalist will continue his quest to lower his personal best of 2:05:10
To recognize the important role of spectators, Executive Race
Director Carey Pinkowski is featured in the campaign, leading the
cheering masses as a tribute to his 20th anniversary with the event.
"The energy of Chicago fans is like nothing else in the world - they
are a huge part of what makes this race a world class event, and it's
an honor to be featured alongside them," said Pinkowski, who has served
as Executive Race Director since 1990.
Chicagoans can see the ad campaign in larger-than-life proportions
on the famed mural wall along the Kennedy Expressway at North Ave.
Designed by Chicago native, 23-year-old Chuck Anderson, the uniquely
treated creative illustration depicts participants and spectators in
overlapping colorful Nike shoe treads.
Print ads and outdoor elements featuring the participants will
appear in the Chicago market during the month of September and early
October. For full information on these stories and others featured in
the campaign, as well as high resolution images of the creative, visit
the online press center at www.chicagomarathon.com.
Race Charitable & Economic Impact Continues to Grow
As a member of the World Marathon Majors, the Bank of America
Chicago Marathon draws a substantial international crowd and assists in
contributing to the economic vibrancy of the host city and raising
money for a number of worthwhile charities.
Approximately 8,000 participants registered in the 2009 Bank of
America Chicago Marathon are raising money for 123 charities. The
Marathon estimates these runners to collectively raise $10 million this
fall for local, national and global causes.
In addition to its philanthropic heritage, the Bank of America
Chicago Marathon also makes a significant contribution to the regional
economy each year. According to a new University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign's Regional Economics Applications Laboratory
(R.E.A.L.) report which studied the 2008 race, the Marathon contributes
$143 million in economic impact to greater Chicago. The study used the
Chicago Region Econometric Input-Output Model (CREIM) to derive the
estimate of the total economic impact of the event, which is largely
derived from the tourism industry including hotels, restaurants and
entertainment.
According to the report, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
attracts new visitors to Chicago and contributes to improving the image
of the city as a tourist destination. In addition, the event takes
place during a low tourism period, helping to reduce the negative
effect of seasonality in Chicago tourism.
About Bank of America Chicago Marathon
The 32nd 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will start and finish
in Chicago's Grant Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11. In
advance of the race, a two-day Health & Fitness Expo will be held
at McCormick Place on Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10. More
information on the race and how to get involved is available at the
event Web site, chicagomarathon.com.
Source: Bank of America
CONTACT: Marianne Caponi, Bank of America Chicago Marathon,
+1-312-992-6618, (C) +1-312-446-4463, (F) +1-312-904-9820,
marianne.caponi@bankofamerica.com; or Joseph Goode of Bank of America,
+1-617-434-7314, (C) +1-781-799-6048, joseph.l.goode@bankofamerica.com
Web Site:
http://www.chicagomarathon.com/
