December 2007: Continental and the UEFA European Football Championship

It's all a question of technique

Hanover (pps) The opponents and match locations of the German team are still unknown for the UEFA European Football Championship 2008TM. The drawing, to be held in Lucerne, Switzerland, is not until December 2. But as official sponsor, Continental has already been working at full steam for months in preparation of the tournament.

Together with national goal keeper Timo Hildebrand, who attracts balls as magically as roads do Continental tires, the Hanoverians developed an enigmatic advertising slogan, which concisely sums up the similarities between football and the tire manufacturer: “It's all a question of technique.” Continental attaches high priority in particular to a tire's good braking performance.

Since a lot of fans from Germany will be driving to Austria and Switzerland, in its advertising messages Continental is emphasizing the permanent and consistent efforts to improve traffic safety. Project manager Michael Kohl comments: "By sponsoring the UEFA EURO 2008, we want to further boost our name recognition not only in the host countries Austria and Switzerland, where we are already the market leaders in the passenger and light truck tires replacement sector. There is also a great deal of interest in the world's second most important tournament in the neighboring countries, in the growth regions of central and eastern Europe as well as in Asia and South America."

His core project team, comprising 15 staff members from the headquarters and key European markets, has constantly been in close contact with all sales and corporate business units worldwide since August 2006 to provide assistance to those responsible. "Many of our staff are really enthusiastic about football. We can thus very gainfully exploit this, the most enjoyable of all pastimes, to enter into dialog with our business partners and to experience football together. That brings everyone together,” Kohl added.

Continental AG also thought up some good correlations for the slogans in newspapers and magazines. "For north curves, south curves, and safe curves" or "the ultimate German stopper" brings at least a smile to the face of every football fan.

In addition, the company is making its presence known in the host country Switzerland: At the St. Jakob Stadium in Basle, where the opening match between Switzerland against a still unnamed opponent will be played on June 7, there is a 4-tonne count-down clock that shows the number of days until the start of the major event. But you don’t have to go to Basle to find out: The clock is counting down the days in Internet as well at www.ContiSoccerWorld.de. At this Internet address, there is all sorts of information about the UEFA European Football Championship, interviews, and the chance to win admission tickets.

Direct inquiries to:

Alexander Lührs

Head of PR, Passenger/Light Truck Tires

Continental AG

Büttnerstraße 25 , 30165 Hanover, Germany

Phone: +49 (0) 511 938 2615

Fax: +49 (0) 511 938 2455

E-mail: alexander.luehrs@conti.de

Internet: www.conti-online.com

Image database at www.mediacenter.continental-corporation.com