CHICAGO (April 5, 2005) - Select Cubs fans from around Chicago will view Wrigley Field from a new perspective when Charter One Bank recognizes a winner of its “Not Your Typical Fan” promotion at each of the 81 home games scheduled for the 2005 season.
Fans will be selected by Cubs representatives based on their enthusiasm, energy, and creative display. Each winning fan will be shown appreciation during a pre-game, on-field presentation, consisting of an electronic display and public announcement of the selection. In addition, “Not Your Typical Fan” winners will receive a prize pack that includes a $25 Charter One gift card, a CTA one-ride farecard, a license plate holder, a baseball hat and a long-sleeve T-shirt.
All 81 selected winners will be entered into a drawing for a grand prize. A post-season reception will be held to honor all of the winners, and the lucky grand prize winner will be awarded a baseball related prize; specifics of which will be revealed at a later date.
Charter One's “Not Your Typical Fan” promotion and its 2005 Cubs sponsorship is part of the bank's continued involvement in local events intended to help familiarize area residents with the new Charter One Bank and its tagline - “Not Your Typical Bank.”
“Chicago has been incredibly warm and receptive since our arrival here,” said Paul Greig, President & CEO of Charter One Bank, Illinois. “Chicagoans are huge sports fans and we thought this would be a fun way to get involved and show our support for the city that loves its sports teams.”
On Valentine's Day, Charter One surprised Chicago commuters with their “One Sweet Ride” promotion by giving away 200,000 one-ride CTA farecards. In addition, Charter One had the honor of pouring green dye into the Chicago River to celebrate St. Patrick's Day after bidding on the privilege during the Great Chicago Fire Sale on ebay. Proceeds from the sale funded various Chicago cultural programs.
Some additional components of the Charter One/Cubs 2005 season sponsorship include:
· Charter One will be the exclusive provider of Chicago Cubs Checking Accounts, Checks and Debit Cards
· Rotational signage behind home plate at Wrigley displaying the Charter One logo
· Exclusive “Cap Day” Sponsor – Sat., July 16
· Season-long scrolling Charter One message
· Two Ceremonial “First Pitches” during home games
About Charter One Bank, N.A.
Charter One Bank, N.A., is a $51 billion bank operating in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, New York and Vermont. It has more than 700 branches and 1,060 ATMs. Charter One is a subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $137 billion commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence, R.I. Citizens has more than 1,600 branches, approximately 2,800 ATMs and approximately 26,000 employees in a 13-state retail branch network and non- branch offices in more than 30 states. Citizens is the eighth largest commercial banking company in the United States ranked by deposits. Citizens is owned by RBS (The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc).