Phil Mickelson's Family Kicks Off Nationwide Search to Find Their Favorite Golfer's Co-Stars in New Crowne Plaza(R) TV Ad Campaign

Phil Mickelson's Family Kicks Off Nationwide Search to Find Their Favorite Golfer's Co-Stars in New Crowne Plaza(R) TV Ad Campaign

PGA TOUR Champion's Parents, Spouse and In-laws to Join National Golf Commentator, David Feherty, and Host Casting Calls in New York, San Diego and Los Angeles

NEW YORK, Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Phil Mickelson's family and on-air friends are looking for a few good fans -- and television co-stars -- to star alongside the PGA TOUR professional himself in a unique national TV ad campaign for Crowne Plaza(R) Hotels & Resorts. National golf commentator and journalist David Feherty, Phil Mickelson's parents Phil, Sr. and Mary Mickelson, wife Amy Mickelson, and her parents Gary and Renee McBride today began a nationwide search by conducting casting calls to find avid golf fans to meet and star with Phil Mickelson in the hotel's upcoming TV ad campaign slated to air in April through September 2008.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080123/NYW070 )

Open casting calls were held at the Crowne Plaza Times Square in New York City today, and future casting calls will be held at the Crowne Plaza San Diego on January 25 and at the Crowne Plaza Beverly Hills on January 29. All fans have the chance to participate and take part in the ultimate meeting with Phil Mickelson by submitting a story or video at ameetingwithphil.com until February 3, 2008.

In a series of six, 30-second TV spots, Mickelson will interact with real golf fans who share a love for the game -- and the PGA TOUR professional himself -- in an unscripted conversation. Meetings topics featured on the microsite and in the TV campaign will include:

-- Fans who have advice for Phil's game
-- People whose left hand has also taken them to greatness
-- Spectators who have been hit by one of Phil's golf balls
-- People who happen to look like Phil
-- Kids who might just be the next Phil Mickelson
-- Admirers who consider themselves Phil's biggest fans

"We're looking for fans who have a special reason to meet with Phil, like being his biggest fan, a look-alike, or even someone whose left hand has also taken them to greatness," said Amy Mickelson, wife of Phil Mickelson. "Phil's parents and I will be the judge of people who happen to look like Phil as nobody knows him better than we do. However, I'm pretty sure David Feherty will have a lot to say about those who have been hit by one of Phil's golf balls."

This year's TV ad campaign with Mickelson will support the brand's sponsorship of the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial as well as highlight Priority Club(R) Rewards and the Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage(TM) program.

"Thanks to the Mickelson family and David Feherty, we will be able to bring a PGA TOUR champion together with his most avid fans in a humorous and unscripted meeting setting," said Gina LaBarre vice president, brand management, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts. "We believe the campaign will truly underscore that Crowne Plaza is "The Place to Meet," and resonate with our consumers who love golf."

Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts participates in Priority Club Rewards. With more than 37 million members, Priority Club(R) Rewards is the first, largest and fastest-growing guest loyalty program in the hotel industry. Winner of the 19th Annual Freddie Awards hotel loyalty "Program of the Year" and named "Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World" three years running by Global Traveler magazine, Priority Club Rewards offers more sought-after benefits and the greatest ease of use of any hotel loyalty program.

Enrollment in Priority Club Rewards is free. Guests can enroll by logging on at priorityclub.com, by calling 1-888-211-9874 or by inquiring at the front desk of any of IHG's 3,800 hotels worldwide.

Crowne Plaza was recently recognized by Lodging Hospitality magazine as one of the industry's top growing brands. As part of the IHG global portfolio, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts has nearly 300 hotels in 51 countries, and are located in major urban centers, gateway cities and resort destinations. For reservations at Crowne Plaza properties, www.crowneplaza.com or call 1-800-2CROWNE.

NOTES TO EDITORS: InterContinental Hotels Group PLC of the United
Kingdom [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)] is the world's largest hotel group by
number of rooms. IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various
subsidiaries, over 3,800 hotels and more than 571,000 guest rooms in nearly
100 countries and territories around the world. IHG owns a portfolio of well
recognized and respected hotel brands including InterContinental(R) Hotels &
Resorts, Crowne Plaza(R) Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn(R) Hotels and Resorts,
Holiday Inn Express(R), Staybridge Suites(R), Candlewood Suites(R) and Hotel
Indigo(R), and also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty program,
Priority Club(R) Rewards with over 37 million members worldwide.
The company pioneered the travel industry's first collaborative response
to environmental issues as founder of the International Hotels and Environment
Initiative (IHEI). The IHEI formed the foundations of the Tourism Partnership
launched by the International Business Leaders Forum in 2004, of which IHG is
still a member today. The environment and local communities remain at the
heart of IHG's global corporate responsibility focus.
IHG offers information and online reservations for all its hotel brands at
www.ihg.com and information for the Priority Club Rewards program at
www.priorityclub.com.

For the latest news from IHG, visit our online Press Office at
www.ihg.com/media

(IHG)

Photo: NewsCom:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080123/NYW070
AP Archive:

http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN7
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts

CONTACT: Natasha Gullett of Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts,
+1-770-604-5597, natasha.gullett@ihg.com, or Katie Welch, +1-212-445-8352,
kpwelch@webershandwick.com

Web site:

http://www.crowneplaza.com/
http://ameetingwithphil.com/

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