Catchfence

Marks Organization’s First International Sporting Affiliation;
Supports Destination’s Global Marketing Campaign Activity

Orlando, Fla. (April 27, 2011) -- Executives for Visit Orlando, the organization that markets Orlando as the top U.S. vacation destination to consumers around the world, today announced the organization’s first-ever sporting sponsorship, Formula car racing. Driver James Jakes’ # 18 car for the IZOD IndyCar Series race in Sao Paulo, Brazil on May 1 will go after the checkered flag featuring the destination’s tagline, “Orlando Makes Me Smile” in English and Portuguese while sporting orange and sky blue accents, the destination’s signature colors. The sponsorship is part of Visit Orlando’s global marketing campaign, “Orlando Makes Me Smile,” which recently launched in Brazil with advertising and public relations activity.

Jakes, hailing from Leeds, West Yorkshire in England and currently residing in Orlando, Fla., is making his fourth IndyCar Series appearance at the May 1 Sao Paulo Indy 300, having just launched his Indy racing career with Dale Coyne Racing earlier this year. His first IndyCar race was on March 27 in St. Petersburg, Fla., where he finished an impressive 15th.

The 23-year-old Brit started his racing career in 2002 in T-Cars finishing second in the championship the following year. In 2004 and 2005 James ran Formula Renault and would be nominated for the prestigious McLaren Autosport BRDC Award and winning BRDC Rising Star status. Jakes then raced in the Formula 3 Euro Series, made his GP2 debut in the 2008-2009 Asia Series and then raced in the 2010 GP3 Series, finishing eighth in the standings despite missing four races due to injury.

“James is an outstanding athlete and, as an Orlando resident, we’re honored to have him as an Orlando ambassador on this worldwide sporting stage with millions of global fans and viewers,” said Gary Sain, president and CEO of Visit Orlando. “It’s also fitting that he is a native of the UK, one of Orlando’s long-standing top international visitor markets, racing in Brazil, one of Orlando’s fastest growing visitor markets. We’re thrilled to support James, as he launches his Indy racing career and to showcase Orlando within this prestigious international sporting event.”

“I’m very excited about driving the Visit Orlando Car this weekend at the Sao Paolo Indy 300. I haven’t driven at the circuit before, but as it’s a fairly recent addition to the calendar this should put us in a position to be very competitive, said Jakes.” “I have been traveling in and out of Orlando for many years now and I really enjoy spending time there. Go Magic.”

Ninety thousand spectators are anticipated for the Sunday May 1 race that will be televised in more than 150 countries. The race can be viewed as follows:

• in the United States on cable channel VERSUS at Noon
• in the United Kingdom on SkySports 4 at 5p.m.
• in Brazil on Band TV at 1p.m.

About Visit Orlando
Visit Orlando is the official sales and marketing organization for the Orlando/Orange County area responsible for generating brand awareness, increasing travel to the area and booking conventions and meetings. For more information, visit VisitOrlando.com/cvb.

- Visit Orlando, Press Release