NASCAR and Starbridge Media Group, Inc. Release Premier Issue of NASCAR Comics Branded Publications |
CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association for
Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and Starbridge Media Group, Inc., announced
today the release of the premier issue of the NASCAR Comics brand
initiative under the banner of the NASCAR Library Collection.
Working in conjunction with NASCAR, McLean, VA-based Starbridge Media
Group has published the first of a series of NASCAR comic books with unique
concepts, original characters and varied storylines. The books, which are
branded NASCAR Comics, appeal to NASCAR's large and diverse fan base as
well as traditional independent comic book consumers. The first issue,
titled "NASCAR Heroes," is available nationwide via Books-a-Million stores,
independent comic shops, track-side merchandisers, other fine retailers,
and online at http://www.StarbridgeMedia.com.
Through an online balloting contest at http://www.RacingOne.com during
February and March, fans had the opportunity to vote for the design and
look of the comic book's three main characters. In the first-ever release
of "NASCAR Heroes," fans can see the resulting appearances of rookie Jimmy
Dash, sinister Jack Diesel, hard-charging Astor Shockington, and a host of
other characters.
"We continue to be excited about creating original publishing content
and promotions for NASCAR's expansive fan base," said Mark Dyer, NASCAR's
vice president of licensing and consumer products. "Having Starbridge Media
Group as our publishing partner for the NASCAR Comics initiative enhances
NASCAR's opportunity to serve this space and meet increased demand from our
fans for new material. Starbridge's background in both sports media and
animation production makes them a compelling partner for this new line of
publications."
The first issue of "NASCAR Heroes" sets the stage for the story of
lowly Team Flatstock and its bumbling crew as it seeks to challenge the
hard- charging team of the legendary Jack Diesel. The second and third
issues in the series are scheduled for July and September releases,
respectively.
"We are excited to release the premier issue of the NASCAR Comics brand
in conjunction with the NASCAR Library Collection," said Ken Hutman,
president of Starbridge Media Group. "We look forward to publishing
compelling and dynamic comic books that will appeal to the core values of
NASCAR and its fans for many years."
About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR),
which began in 1948, is the sanctioning body for one of America's premier
sports. NASCAR is the No. 1 spectator sport - holding 17 of the top 20
attended sporting events in the U.S., the No. 2 rated regular-season sport
on television with broadcasts in over 150 countries, and has 75 million
fans. These fans are the most brand loyal in all of sports, and as a result
more Fortune 500 companies participate in NASCAR than any other sport.
NASCAR consists of three major national series (the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup
Series, NASCAR Busch Series, and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series), four
regional series, and one local grassroots series, as well as two
international series. NASCAR sanctions 1,300 races at 100 tracks in more
than 30 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico. Based in Daytona Beach (FL), NASCAR
has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Charlotte (NC), Concord (NC), Conover
(NC), Bentonville (AR), Mexico City, and Toronto.
About The NASCAR Library Collection
Established in 2004, the NASCAR Library Collection was created to
provide a common home for a wide range of officially licensed NASCAR books.
It gives NASCAR fans the opportunity to distinguish licensed versus
non-licensed books, serving as a mark of distinction for authenticity and
quality. Representing a range of books as diverse and varied as the NASCAR
fan base itself, the NASCAR Library Collection captures the NASCAR
lifestyle from all angles. Whether it's a book about action on the
racetrack or one as specialized as a cookbook, the NASCAR Library
Collection gives NASCAR fans a chance to celebrate the NASCAR lifestyle at
every turn. The NASCAR Library Collection includes books in a number of
categories including: drivers and personalities, cookbooks, history,
children, fiction and romance, and statistics, facts and reference.
About Starbridge Media Group, Inc.
Starbridge Media Group, Inc., is an Emmy Award-winning, Washington,
D.C.- area based producer, publisher, rights owner, licensee and sports
marketing consultancy that is focused on the convergence of entertainment
and sports, and in bridging star sports brands with new and traditional
forms of media. Founded by Jamie Crittenberger and Ken Hutman in 2003,
Starbridge provides teams, athletes, and rights owners with opportunities
to drive incremental revenues, extend brand awareness and build fan loyalty
via the creation of unique programming platforms and the maximization of
core property assets. For more information on the company, or to purchase a
copy of "NASCAR Heroes," visit http://www.starbridgemedia.com.
SOURCE Starbridge Media Group, Inc.
back to topRelated links:
CONTACT:
Scott Warfield of NASCAR (Charlotte),
+1-704-348-9650, swarfield@nascar.com; or Jamie Crittenberger,
CEO of Starbridge Media Group, +1-703-760-1480,
jcrittenberger@starbridgemedia.com
