Yum! Brands sponsors Macro Andretti
May 24, 2006
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Just weeks after its historic presenting sponsorship of the 132nd Kentucky Derby, Yum! Brands is now backing the Indy 500 car driven by third-generation IndyCar driver Marco Andretti.
In partnership with the New York Stock Exchange, Yum! is supporting the Dallara-Honda driven by Andretti, who qualified ninth for the Indy 500 at an average speed of 224.918 mph. Marco Andretti is following in the tire tracks of his father Michael and grandfather Mario, two legendary figures in the history of the Indy 500.
Yum! Brands became a sponsor on Andretti's Indy 500 entry for the same reason the company decided to become the first-ever presenting sponsor of the Kentucky Derby — the Indy 500 is a premier sporting event watched by millions around the globe.
According to Nielson Ratings, the majority of Indy 500 viewers are in the 25-54 age range with higher than average household incomes, which matches the profile of potential individual investors Yum! Brands is trying to attract.
"From horses to horsepower, we're using two of the world's most famous sporting events to attract potential individual investors to Yum! Brands," said Jonathan Blum, the company's chief public affairs officer.