05/29/2007 Good teamwork between Continental and Timo Hildebrand - goalkeeper for the German national side and for VfB Stuttgart, the German Champions

Hanover, May 2007. For Timo Hildebrand (28) from VfB Stuttgart, the current number two in goal for the German national side, the two sporting highlights during his cooperation with Continental came within a single week at the end of what has been a very exciting 2006/2007 Bundesliga (Federal League) season.

After winning the German Championship, his team was narrowly defeated in the German Cup final last weekend - two achievements in which the popular Hildebrand played a huge part, making many saves over what for him personally has been an excellent season overall. Continental AG put its faith in Timo Hildebrand as the company’s first personal advertising partner in 2004, engaging him as a brand ambassador for its passenger and light truck tyres, and, amongst other things, featuring him in the internationally networked “Goalkeeper” TV commercial. Shortly after the 2006 FIFA World Cup, this advertising teamwork was extended until the end of 2008, in order specifically to stimulate sponsorship for UEFA Euro 2008^TM. It is anticipated that the TV commercial will be networked internationally until the autumn of 2008.

Here you can download the press release as a word-file (1,15 MB).

Hildebrand has continued to develop his sporting ability steadily and systematically while playing for Stuttgart, and last season he was reckoned to be one of the team's key players. He has been a member of the German first team squad since 2005, playing in five internationals so far, and appeared for the under-21 team 15 times.

Following his successful participation in the World Cup and his first title win, and after twelve years with Stuttgart, Hildebrand is setting himself a new challenge by joining a top European club in the coming season. “We are very pleased with these results, and we wish Timo every success with his new team. And of course we are keeping our fingers crossed in the hope that he will play an active part in the remaining qualifying matches and in UEFA EURO 2008”, says Michael Kohl, Continental AG's Head of Marketing for replacement passenger car and light truck tyres in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and sponsorship project manager for UEFA EURO 2008^TM.

Hildebrand joined VfB Stuttgart at the age of sixteen and subsequently played in all the German national youth teams. Continental chose him as its advertising partner not only because, as a goalkeeper of the future, he bears a special responsibility for the security of his team, just as Continental tyres do for the cars to which they are fitted, but also because his professional attitude, positive image and ongoing development make him a perfect match for Continental AG.