Delta Signs Sponsorship With Atlanta Braves Star Jeff Francoeur

Right fielder to appear in new marketing campaign set to debut April 29 at Turner Field

ATLANTA, April 28, 2006 – Atlanta Braves star Jeff Francoeur had a dramatic takeoff during his rookie season last year, so it is natural that Delta Air Lines, a team partner, today announced a multi-level sponsorship agreement with the Atlanta native. The multi-year agreement includes promotional appearances, involvement in community outreach programs and participation in the airline’s new marketing campaign.

"I wanted my first endorsement deal to be with a great hometown company like Delta Air Lines" said Francoeur. “As an Atlanta native, I am well aware of Delta’s service to customers worldwide, its great heritage and, specifically, its support of the Atlanta community.”

To unveil its relationship with Francoeur, Delta will launch the new marketing campaign at Turner Field on Saturday, April 29, during “Braves Delta Day.” Just before the first pitch of the game against the Braves’ rival New York Mets, Delta will debut a new commercial starring Francoeur on the Turner Field BravesVision scoreboard video screen.

In the spot, Francoeur receives a letter from a young fan in Copenhagen requesting an autograph. Always ready to go the extra mile for his fans, he takes to home plate with a bat and a bucket of balls. Francoeur then tosses a ball into the air and proceeds to smash it – not only over the fence, but over the entire Atlantic Ocean – where it falls into the awaiting glove of one very happy boy in Denmark.

The commercial, which will air during Braves broadcasts on TBS and Turner South beginning April 29, highlights Delta’s new international routes launching this year, including six new markets: Budapest, Hungary; Copenhagen, Denmark; Dusseldorf, Germany; Edinburgh, Scotland; Kiev, Ukraine; and Tel Aviv, Israel.

"Jeff Francoeur is a great example to all of us: a dedicated team leader who knows the importance of giving back – to the Atlanta community and its fans" said Tim Mapes, Delta’s Managing Director of Marketing. "We are proud to be associated with Jeff and we’re thrilled to have him on our team"

Additionally, the first 45,000 fans through the Turner Field gates on April 29 will receive a free Braves T-shirt, courtesy of Delta. Delta employees will be at the ballpark distributing the shirts, which feature Jeff Francoeur’s name and signature number 7 on the back.

On April 29, Delta will also launch www.delta.com/Braves – a Web site promoting the partnership between two Atlanta institutions: the Braves and Delta. A unique feature of the site is a booking tool integrated into the team’s schedule that facilitates travel to Braves road games. Want to get to New York to see the Braves take on the Yankees in June? Log on and book the flight that works for you.

The web site will also offer fans access to video clips of the new commercial, a special “Blooper” outtake from the filming with Jeff, the ability to retrieve digital pictures taken at the ballpark, contests to win Braves and Delta gifts and participation in fan polls about their favorite team.

Francoeur stormed onto the baseball scene as a rookie last season, batting .300 with 14 homers, 41 runs, 45 RBI and 13 outfield assists in just 70 games played. Jeff hit safely in 45 of the 69 games in which he had at least one at-bat and had 23 multi-hit games. Following the season, he was named to the Topps, Baseball America and Baseball Digest All-Rookie teams. Jeff participated for the United States in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.

About Delta
Delta Air Lines (Other OTC: DALRQ) is one of the world’s fastest growing international carriers with more than 50 new international routes added or announced in the last year. Delta offers flights to 452 destinations in 95 countries on Delta, Song, Delta Shuttle, the Delta Connection carriers and its worldwide partners. In summer 2006, Delta plans to offer customers more destinations and departures between the U.S., Europe, India and Israel than any global airline*, including service on 11 new transatlantic routes from its Atlanta and New York-JFK hubs. Delta also is a major carrier to Mexico, South and Central America and the Caribbean, with more than 35 routes announced, added or applied to serve since Jan. 1, 2005. Delta’s marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on more than 14,000 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.

*From the U.S., based on July 2006 OAG.

Contact Information

Anthony Black

Senior Manager - Media Relations

Delta Air Lines

Contact via E-mail