Belle Tire Named Presenting Sponsor of Concerts at DTE Energy Music Theatre and Meadow Brook Music Festival

Belle Tire Named Presenting Sponsor of Concerts at DTE Energy Music Theatre and Meadow Brook Music Festival

A Marriage of State's Biggest Independent Tire Retailer and Top Amphitheatres

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Belle Tire will be the presenting sponsor of the concert series at DTE Energy Music Theatre and Meadow Brook Music Festival, it was announced today by Palace Sports and Entertainment (PS&E), continuing a long-time association between the organizations. It is the first-ever sponsorship involving the concert series of both of the outdoor venues.

Michigan's largest independent tire retailer will be associated with two hot properties as DTE Energy Music Theatre remained the most attended amphitheatre in the world for the 15th consecutive year and was listed as the fourth highest drawing concert venue in the world of any type in 2005, according to the year-end lists of Pollstar magazine, a leading entertainment trade publication. In addition, Meadow Brook Music Festival posted its highest season attendance in the 12 years under operation and management of PS&E in 2005 and ranked in the Top 40 of the world's highest-attended amphitheatres.

"We are thrilled to be expanding the over 20 year relationship that Belle Tire has had with Palace Sports and Entertainment, and look forward to an exciting summer with two of America's leading outdoor venues," said Don Barnes, President of Belle Tire.

The agreement involves a number of marketing elements, including Belle Tire's inclusion in media, signage and promotional consideration. As presenting sponsor, Belle Tire will be able to offer in-store promotions and special giveaways for the events in their series.

The length of the agreement is five years. Financial terms were not disclosed.

"Belle Tire has been a loyal marketing partner with the Pistons for many years," said Tom Wilson, President and CEO of PS&E. "Presenting the concert series at DTE Energy Music Theatre and Meadow Brook Music Festival will allow them to create an association with the best in outdoor entertainment, to broaden their demographics to include concert-goers and increase the length of their promotional coverage with us to include the entire summer."

DTE Energy Music Theatre and Meadow Brook Music Festival will benefit from the agreement with increased awareness of its shows with displays and promotions at all of Belle Tire's locations.

About Belle Tire

Belle Tire is Michigan's largest independent tire retailer and the eighth largest independent tire retailer in the country. Belle Tire is family owned and operated with more than 75 locations in Michigan and northern Ohio.

About PS&E

PS&E ownership includes The Palace and DTE Energy Music Theatre. The organization also manages Meadow Brook Music Festival on the campus of Oakland University and books and markets Freedom Hill. Combined, PS&E's Michigan venues average 300 events and 3.5 million guests annually.

The Palace has been voted Arena of the Year eight times by Performance magazine and twice by Pollstar magazine and is listed annually among North America's top-grossing arenas. Voted "Best Outdoor Concert Venue" in Pollstar's 2000 Readers Poll, DTE Energy Music Theatre has been listed as the nation's most attended amphitheater by Amusement Business/Billboard each of the 15 years of PS&E ownership.

PS&E also owns the leasehold rights to the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, a 1999 and 2004 recipient of the Prime Site Award by Facilities & Event Management magazine and one of North America's top-grossing arenas annually.

Source: Palace Sports and Entertainment

CONTACT: Jeff Corey of Palace Sports and Entertainment, +1-248-377-8204,
or jcorey@palacenet.com

Web site: http://www.palacenet.com/

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