BellSouth Adds Promotional Sizzle to Classic Chastain Concert Sponsorship

BellSouth Adds Promotional Sizzle to Classic Chastain Concert Sponsorship

Launches Interactive Marketing Campaign to Connect with Consumers

ATLANTA, May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- BellSouth (NYSE:BLS) is turning up the volume on its Classic Chastain Concert Series sponsorship with a summer-long, interactive promotion designed to connect with concert-goers in new and exciting ways. The campaign includes a "Classic Central" micro-Web site ( http://www.bellsouthchastain.com/ ) which will serve as the central location for all components of the program including: concert dates and information, links to BellSouth products and services, and a registration area for a number of prizes to be given away to visitors of the site.

Patrons of Chastain who visit the Web site will be able to register for prizes that include FastAccess(R) Service VIP Parking at select Classic Chastain concerts, several Cingular Wireless(R) Motorola RAZR V3 phones, Atlanta Braves tickets and more. Professional photographers will roam the Chastain Amphitheater on the nights of BellSouth-sponsored shows, taking commemorative digital photos of those in attendance. Concert-goers will be able to download their photos for free by visiting the http://www.bellsouthchastain.com/ Web site and entering a special code given to them on branded pre-paid cards.

"The Classic Chastain Concert Series gives us a unique opportunity to interact with consumers," said William Pate, vice president of advertising and public relations for BellSouth. "Building upon our sponsorship with these new and innovative marketing components will help us inform concert-goers about BellSouth's portfolio of communications and entertainment services. In addition, our support of Classic Chastain is another example of BellSouth's leadership position as a patron of Atlanta's major league orchestra, the arts in Atlanta, and in events that benefit our community and our customers."

BellSouth is supporting its Classic Chastain interactive marketing promotion with a direct mail campaign to 38,000 "Friends of Chastain," media relations outreach, and by staffing the Chastain Amphitheater with "branded" volunteers and ushers. BellSouth will also have a booth set up on-site at select concerts with product experts to talk about its products and services.

"In today's competitive environment, we must ensure we get a substantial return on our sponsorship investment," continued Pate. "We believe the interactive promotion now in place will help us see an even greater benefit from our association with Classic Chastain."

"The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is proud to have BellSouth as one of its major sponsors of the 2005 Classic Chastain Concert Series," said Paul Hogle, vice president of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. "BellSouth has been a tremendous partner for the past five years. This continued support of Classic Chastain is a testament to BellSouth's ongoing interest and commitment to supporting those institutions and projects that year after year contribute to Atlanta's quality of life."

About BellSouth Corporation

BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 100 communications company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. BellSouth has joint control and 40 percent ownership of Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wireless voice and data provider with more than 50 million customers.

Backed by award winning customer service, BellSouth offers the most comprehensive and innovative package of voice and data services available in the market. Through BellSouth Answers(R), residential and small business customers can bundle their local and long distance service with dial-up and high-speed DSL Internet access, satellite television and Cingular(R) Wireless service. For businesses, BellSouth provides secure, reliable local and long distance voice and data networking solutions. BellSouth also offers online and directory advertising through BellSouth(R) RealPages.com(R) and The Real Yellow Pages(R).

BellSouth believes that diversity and fostering an inclusive environment are critical in maintaining a competitive advantage in today's global marketplace. More information about BellSouth can be found at http://www.bellsouth.com/ .

About the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

As the largest orchestra in the Southeastern United States, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is also one of the youngest American orchestras to achieve international prominence. Now in its 60th season, the ASO performs a year- round slate of more than 250 concerts annually, including a 72-concert classical season and related series at Atlanta Symphony Hall, the annual summer pops series at Chastain Park Amphitheater, and a full schedule of educational, neighborhood and Free Parks concerts throughout the City of Atlanta and around Georgia. Through its extensive community partnerships, the ASO serves a variety of audiences both in Atlanta and throughout the state of Georgia.

Source: BellSouth Corporation

CONTACT: Zealous Wiley of BellSouth Corporation, +1-404-829-8721, or
zealous.wiley@bellsouth.com

Web site: http://www.bellsouth.com/
http://www.bellsouthchastain.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/095650.html

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