DHL, Andretti Autosport Sign Multi-Year Sponsorship Agreement

INDIANAPOLIS & PLANTATION, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DHL, the world’s leading logistics company, announced today it signed a multi-year sponsorship agreement with Andretti Autosport, a winning IZOD IndyCar Series team owned by Michael Andretti. As the Official Shipping and Logistics sponsor of Andretti Autosport, DHL will serve as a co-primary sponsor of the new car driven by Ryan Hunter-Reay and as an associate sponsor for the car driven by the team’s newest member, Mike Conway.

“We are very excited to welcome DHL into our sponsor family at Andretti Autosport”

“Andretti Autosport has a history of success grounded in the same attributes required to be the First Choice among logistics providers for our customers – speed, reliability, and a “team” spirit focused on putting the “fans” – our customers – at the center of everything we do,” said Wolfgang Giehl, senior vice president for Corporate Brand Marketing for DHL. “We’re pleased to sponsor this winning motorsports team which provides an excellent opportunity to promote the DHL brand and align with Andretti Autosport in U.S. and global markets.”

Hunter-Reay will be starting his second season with Andretti Autosport as he gets behind the wheel of the team’s new DHL entry. Coming off a breakthrough year that saw him win the Grand Prix of Long Beach, Hunter-Reay finished a career-best seventh in the IZOD IndyCar Series standings. Conway, who launched his IZOD IndyCar Series career in 2009 after building a strong resume in Europe, was signed to the team’s roster on February 1.

The new DHL IndyCar will be unveiled at the DHL regional headquarters in Plantation, FL., on Tuesday, March 8, at 10:15 a.m. with Hunter-Reay and DHL staffers in attendance. The bright yellow, red and white racer will make its debut at the season opener – the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 27.

“We are very excited to welcome DHL into our sponsor family at Andretti Autosport,” said John Lopes, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Andretti Autosport. “This is a partnership that was born out of our great, long-standing relationship with DHL’s North American supply chain division, Exel. As a global industry leader, DHL is a brand that we are proud to add to our portfolio. We look forward to developing this relationship and helping DHL strengthen its brand presence and international specialty positioning.”

Additional elements of the sponsorship include VIP hospitality platforms for DHL and its customers in major U.S., Canadian & Latin American markets, image and advertising rights as well as opportunities to provide shipping and logistics services in support of Andretti Autosport’s global operations.

DHL – The Logistics company for the world

DHL is the global market leader in the logistics industry and “The Logistics company for the world”. DHL commits its expertise in international express, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation, contract logistics and international mail services to its customers. A global network composed of more than 220 countries and territories and about 300,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality and local knowledge to satisfy their supply chain requirements. DHL accepts its social responsibility by supporting climate protection, disaster management and education.

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL. The Group generated revenue of more than 46 billion euros in 2009.

About Andretti Autosport

Based in Indianapolis and led by racing legend Michael Andretti, Andretti Autosport fields multiple entries in the IZOD IndyCar Series. Andretti Autosport competes in Firestone Indy Lights, the Star Mazda Championship and the USF2000 National Championship. The company boasts three IZOD IndyCar Series championships (2004, 2005 and 2007), two Firestone Indy Lights titles (2008 and 2009), one USF2000 championship (2010) and has won the Indianapolis 500 twice (2005 and 2007). For more information, please visit www.AndrettiAutosport.com.