02/01/2004 Timo Hildebrand new brand ambassador for Continental

Hanover/Stuttgart/Gelsenkirchen, 1st February 2004. Continental AG in Hanover, Germany today presented Timo Hildebrand as its new brand figure. This is the first time in his career so far that the VfB Stuttgart goalkeeper has taken on a personal sponsoring contract. " As Germany's leading tyre manufacturer, we want Timo Hildebrand to give a more sporting and emotional edge to our premium tyre brand Continental.

Moreover, his involvement enables us to approach the target group of football enthusiasts more directly with our products" is how Continental brand manager Ralf Hoffmann explains the reasons for the co-operation. "It also fits in well with our commitment as Official Partner of the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006TM ". Timo Hildebrand is currently one of Germany's top Federal League goalkeepers and will be closely involved in the overall package of communication measures lined up for the tyre brand, appearing as brand ambassador at selected customer events.

Here you can download the press release as a doc-file (464 KB).

After the initial positive experiences gathered during the sponsorship of the Football Champions League from 1995 to 1999, Continental decided to take on the commitment as an Official Partner of the FIFA World Cup GermanyTM, in order to establish itself as a sponsor for the world's most popular sport. "Deciding on Timo Hildebrand was not at all difficult. Both in his position as goalkeeper and together with his team, VfB Stuttgart, he has enjoyed an outstanding run of successes over the last eighteen months or more. He also has many characteristics which fit in well with us" Hoffmann continues. Just twenty-four years old, Hildebrand has an appealing nature and is the ideal embodiment of safety, precision, single-mindedness and perseverance. "That fits in perfectly with us and our products" summarises Ralf Hoffmann.

Now listed on Germany's DAX stock market, Continental has for many years positioned itself as a technology leader with the slogan 'Do it with German Engineering'. 

The Continental Group is a leading supplier of tyres, braking systems, suspension components and technical elastomers. In 2002 the company employed some 64,500 staff worldwide and achieved a turnover of 11.4 billion euros.

The car tyres business unit is an Official Partner of the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006TM.For further information visit the websites www.conti-online.com and www.contifanworld.com.