Racer Bobby Hamilton Teams With AutoVantage: NASCAR Legend, Auto Club Aim For Checkered Flag In Marketing

NORWALK, Conn., May. 17, 2005 -- A racing champion has teamed with a direct marketing champion to rev awareness and accelerate exposure of a national automotive membership club.

Reigning NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion, and legendary NASCAR Winston Cup driver Bobby Hamilton has partnered with the Cendant Marketing Group -- which includes Trilegiant Corporation and Progeny Marketing Innovations -- as celebrity spokesperson for the group's AutoVantage discount automobile membership club.

Under the agreement, AutoVantage has launched a series of monthly columns, called "In The Drivers Seat With Bobby Hamilton," to promote awareness of its comprehensive automobile benefits. The columns will offer driving tips, automotive maintenance tips, new and used car buying tips and advice on keeping your car in championship condition.

"I'm excited about joining the race with this innovative automotive membership club," Hamilton said. "Together, we will shift into high gear and strive toward the highest driving standards in America. We are steering into a brand new era in customer service. Jump into my 'In The Drivers Seat' column in the coming months for the latest in auto advice."

In 2004, Hamilton won four Craftsman Truck Series races in the No. 4 Dodge, notching a series-high 12 top-five finishes and 16 top-10 finishes to claim the series championship trophy. He is currently vying for the 2005 championship in his No. 04 BHR Dodge.

Hamilton began his NASCAR Winston Cup career in 1991 by claiming the Rookie of the Year title, and then cruised to four Winston Cup victories, 20 top-five and 67 top-10 finishes over a 12-year stint. He joined the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series full-time in 2003.

Hamilton, 47, is a native of Nashville, Tenn., and operates his own "shop" in nearby Mt. Juliet, Tenn., where he employs more than 40 racing professionals. Hamilton is presently owner of three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series entries, all boasting the Dodge brand.

"We are thrilled to be soaring to new levels through our relationship with Bobby Hamilton, an icon in the racing industry," said Brad Eggleston, vice president of AutoVantage. "This brings together two very strong brand names in the automotive world ... Bobby Hamilton and AutoVantage."

AutoVantage saves on everything from maintenance discounts to 24/7 emergency roadside assistance to travel -- and even offers a unique auto repair hotline service that delivers repair advice from independent, ASE certified mechanics.

AutoVantage offers car-care savings from 5 to 20 percent off sales and regular rates at some 19,000 service locations, including participating AAMCO, Jiffy Lube, Meineke and American Car Care Center locations. Trip routing for maps and door-to-door driving directions across the U.S. are also included, as well as advice on buying new and used cars.

About AutoVantage

Membership in AutoVantage (http://www.autovantage.com/ or 1-800-876-7787) begins with a month-long trial that costs $1 and can be canceled anytime during the trial period. Unless you call toll free (1-800-876-7787) to cancel during your $1 trial period, your privileges will automatically continue for an additional 11 months at the $99.99 annual membership fee, and will renew upon expiration at the then-current year's fee and be automatically billed to the credit card you provide without your having to do anything further. Your satisfaction is important. You can call toll free to cancel at any time for a refund of the unused portion of your then-current year's fee, no matter how much money you've saved. Trilegiant Corporation, (http://www.trilegiant.com/) a leader in the membership services and loyalty businesses, offers AutoVantage. With Progeny Marketing Innovations, Trilegiant is now part of the Cendant Marketing Group.

About Cendant Marketing Group

The Cendant Marketing Group is a global leader in the membership, insurance and loyalty marketing businesses, delivering products and services that touch the lives of millions worldwide. The group is part of the Cendant Marketing Services Division, which includes Trilegiant, Progeny Marketing Innovations, Trilegiant Loyalty Solutions and Cendant International Marketing Services (Cims), and designs, develops and implements strategies and programs serving more than 100 million consumers around the world.