DALLAS, Sept. 24 TX-Interstate-Battery
DALLAS, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Interstate Battery System of America,
Inc. (Interstate Batteries), the billion dollar battery company with a
distribution point in every county in the U.S., recently selected Dallas-based
independent Firehouse as its advertising agency of record following a
month-long review process.
Firehouse will work with Interstate Batteries to implement branding
initiatives internally and externally for the company. The execution will
cross multiple media platforms, including advertising, retail, interactive,
customer relationship management, new media and public relations.
"We were drawn to Firehouse because of the enthusiasm they showed for our
brand. After we experienced the collaborative culture that permeates the whole
agency, we were hooked," said Scott Miller, vice president of advertising and
public relations for Interstate Batteries. "Add to that the big-brand
experience that the agency leadership and creative team brings to the table,
and we were sold."
Carlos Sepulveda, president and CEO of Interstate Batteries, added, "Our
executive team participated in Firehouse's Brand Ignition(TM) program earlier
in 2008, and we were impressed by their approach and ability to help us
succinctly define our brand purpose. It was a great experience for our brand
and that led to us considering them for the AOR assignment."
For fiscal year 2008 (which ended in April), privately held Interstate
Batteries posted revenue of $1.5 billion, which represented double-digit
revenue growth over 2007 results. Predictions for fiscal year 2009 show
continued growth for revenue, as well as labor force. The company's staffing
grew by 11% year-over-year for fiscal year 2008, and Interstate plans to add
approximately 50 more team members over the next year across four segments of
their business.
Specific to the recent growth within those business segments, the
company's oldest and largest division -- the automotive replacement battery
group -- saw a 5% lift in sales for fiscal year 2008 over last year. The
fastest growing segment, however, is its Interstate All Battery Center
division, known for its "Every Battery for Every Need(R)" mantra and backed up
by its "Have it, Build it, Find it(R)" promise. The group has registered
record franchisee signings this year and has seen growth of more than 100%
over the past two years.
"Despite the fact that consumers use an average of 30 batteries each year,
batteries still aren't something you think about until you need them," said
Mark Hall, president and founder of Firehouse. "We look forward to using our
insights and creativity to ensure that the Interstate Batteries brand is
generating and leading conversations about consumers' needs for batteries."
The Interstate Batteries win comes on the heels of the recent addition of
Rug Doctor marketing and PR efforts to Firehouse's growing client portfolio.
Firehouse works with a number of national and international brands, including
Maggiano's Little Italy, Romano's Macaroni Grill, Dr. Pepper, Nokia and
ThyssenKrupp Elevator.
About Interstate Batteries
Founded in 1952 and based in Dallas, Texas, Interstate Batteries is
comprised of a privately held group of companies who sell, market and
distribute all types of batteries and related products. Its member companies
operate retail All Battery Center stores, provide franchising opportunities
and support, and distribute products through a state-of-the-art distribution
center in Des Moines, Iowa.
Interstate Batteries also provides products and services for motive and
critical power needs through PowerCare Service and Solutions, Inc. Interstate
Batteries is "#1 in Batteries," best known for its system of nearly 300
distributors who service more than 200,000 locations selling automotive,
marine/RV, commercial and other types of SLI products throughout the United
States, Canada and select international locations.
Since Interstate's beginnings, recycling batteries has been a key part of
the services the company offers. Last year alone, Interstate returned more
than a billion pounds of lead-acid batteries to government-regulated smelters
across the United States for recycling. Interstate Batteries also offers
batteries and information online at http://www.interstatebatteries.com.
About Firehouse
Firehouse exists to challenge convention and drive disproportionate
business success for our clients. To deliver on that promise, we have amassed
a world-class collection of talent with the integrated capabilities necessary
to build brands through all forms of communication. We take a no-nonsense
approach, which leads us to be extremely collaborative, both internally and
externally, and we view ourselves as idea enthusiasts. But our ultimate goal
is to make our clients' brands the topic of conversation. Take a tour of
Firehouse and see what we're all about at http://www.fhdallas.com.
SOURCE Interstate Battery System of America, Inc.
