Beamer Plays Ball with nTelos

Beamer Plays Ball with nTelos

Hokies Head Coach to Lead Wireless Provider's TV Line-Up

WAYNESBORO, Va., Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Virginia Tech Head Football Coach Frank Beamer will star in a series of television spots for nTelos wireless. The commercials will air throughout the season as part of a recently signed agreement naming nTelos the exclusive wireless provider of Virginia Tech football.

The Virginia-based fighter brand beat out big name players to score the sponsorship, which kicks off during the Hokies' season opener and ESPN's College Game Day on September 1.

According to nTelos Director of Public Relations Mike Minnis, the ads are a chance to share glimpses of Coach Beamer's off-the-field personality with Hokie fans.

"Virginia Tech supporters are familiar with Coach Beamer's football expertise and trademark 'Beamer Ball' plays," Minnis said. "The spots let fans see Coach Beamer's more light-hearted side and are an exciting opportunity to promote the partnership between nTelos and Virginia Tech."

Scheduled to run sequentially during televised Virginia Tech games, the three 30-second spots offer a comedic riff on the wireless provider's new brand message No One Else Compares.

Shot in a setting resembling Coach Beamer's office, the spots follow a wireless phone call from Coach Beamer to his wife, during which he begins "finding money" everywhere he looks - from a projector to his trophies - in an allusion to the fact that nTelos offers the best value in wireless. The last spot also includes a guest appearance by the Hokie Bird mascot, who cameos as a janitor in the final scene.

"Virginia Tech football has enjoyed a long-time relationship with nTelos, and we are delighted that they have now stepped into the role of exclusive wireless provider," said Coach Beamer. "We hope the commercials are the first in a long line of opportunities generated by working with such a strong Virginia-based brand."

"We are pleased to partner with nTelos for our upcoming football season - and we are looking forward to the co-promotional opportunities the sponsorship includes," agreed Virginia Tech Athletic Director Jim Weaver, who added that support from the football sponsorship will be used to support student athletes across all 21 Virginia Tech athletics programs.

"nTelos is a very strong supporter of Virginia Tech and has worked with the school for several years," stated nTelos wireless President Carl Rosberg. "Becoming exclusive wireless provider for the football program is a major opportunity for us and we are proud to provide Coach Beamer and his staff with the best available wireless service. As a Top 20 team, we know they're only going to work with a brand they can rely on."

nTelos will run additional television, radio and print advertising as part of the sponsorship, and the full-of-surprises brand also has some top-secret plays up its sleeve for Hokies fans at upcoming home games, according to Mike Minnis.

The nTelos Pass for Cash promotion, scheduled to take place during the November 10th game against Florida State, will serve as the highlight of these home field tactics, and will give two lucky fans a chance to pass the pigskin for a shot at winning fantasy vacations and nTelos bucks. nTelos will match each contestant's winnings with donations to charitable organizations chosen by Coach Beamer, Minnis said.

To view one of the nTelos spots starring Frank Beamer, visit www.nteloswireless.com/vt/.

About nTelos

An integrated wireless communications provider headquartered in Waynesboro, Virginia, nTelos provides products and services to customers in Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and North Carolina, including wireless phone service, high-speed DSL (high-speed Internet access) and local and long-distance telephone services. Detailed information about nTelos is available at www.ntelos.com

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: nTelos Wireless

CONTACT: Emma Williams of The Johnson Group, +1-423-424-3060,
+1-423-593-1552, emmaw@johngroup.com, for nTElos Wireless

Web site:

http://www.nteloswireless.com/vt

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