Nextel Names NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Communications and Marketing Directors

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 2003--Nextel Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:NXTL), a leading provider of wireless communications services on the largest all-digital wireless network in the country, today appointed communications and marketing directors for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, a 10-year title sponsorship announced in June.

Jill Gregory joins Nextel as director of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series marketing. She will be responsible for all NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series marketing activities, building a team, promoting the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series brand and developing and maintaining relationships with NASCAR, teams, drivers, promoters and fans. Prior to joining Nextel, Gregory was vice president and general manager for GMR Marketing, where she managed all sports, event and hospitality activities for Visa USA and other clients. Her sports property management experience includes NFL, NASCAR, Visa Triple Crown, Broadway, Disney and other entertainment events. Gregory also has extensive motor sports management experience from her years managing all sponsorship marketing programs for Texaco Inc. She has a bachelor's degree from the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Calif.

“Jill's experience in managing motor sport programs and other sports sponsorships and her expertise in developing integrated marketing campaigns will help shape Nextel's approach to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series”

"Jill's experience in managing motor sport programs and other sports sponsorships and her expertise in developing integrated marketing campaigns will help shape Nextel's approach to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series," said Michael Robichaud, senior director of sports and entertainment marketing for Nextel. "We are looking forward to the prospects of the inaugural season."

Mike Mooney joins Nextel as director of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series corporate communications. He will be responsible for creating a team and managing media relations, community relations and special events for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Mooney has 10 years of experience in motor sport public relations and has worked on accounts with CITGO, NASCAR, NHRA, PGA Tour, ATP Tour and CART. Prior to joining Nextel, Mooney was principal for Cox Marketing Group where he was responsible for strategy, execution and measurement for clients' sports public relations programs. He has a bachelor's degree from Elon University, Elon, N.C.

"We're confident that Mike's extensive communications background, including his work on NASCAR's 50th anniversary, will help him build a strong team to communicate with NASCAR media and fans as well as make the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series the premier sporting event in the country," said Elizabeth Brooks, vice president of corporate communications for Nextel. "We look forward to supporting the premier sporting event in the country as it becomes the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series."

Both Gregory and Mooney will be based in Charlotte, N.C.

About Nextel

Nextel Communications, a Fortune 300 company based in Reston, Va., is a leading provider of fully integrated wireless communications services and has built the largest guaranteed all-digital wireless network in the country covering thousands of communities across the United States. Nextel and Nextel Partners, Inc., currently serve 293 of the top 300 U.S. markets. Through recent market launches, Nextel and Nextel Partners service is available today in areas of the U.S. where approximately 248 million people live or work.