Allstate - You're in good hands

07/22/2004 NORTHBROOK, Ill. -

The Official Home and Auto Insurance Sponsor for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team— Allstate today announced a new advertising campaign that will run during the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. The campaign includes two new television commercials promoting the spirit of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team each with a humorous twist that give audiences pause to consider their insurance needs and Allstate. In addition, Allstate is running print and radio advertising and has recently launched “Gold Medal Giveaway”, an on-line consumer promotion to give away five new Cadillacs and other prizes.

“The U.S. Olympic Team offers Americans a tremendous opportunity to connect with the hard work and dedication that go into being an Olympian,” said Lisa Cochrane, vice president, integrated marketing communications, Allstate. “At Allstate we strive to be recognized for those same values. We want this campaign to help us ‘win’ the Olympic ad game---so we’ve stressed the awesome honor and power of Team USA and added a creative twist about when the unexpected happens— the Good Hands® of Allstate will be there.”

The two television commercials titled “Weightlifter” and “Shotput” were developed by Leo Burnett USA, and directed by filmmaker Mehdi Norowzian. The “Weightlifter” commercial, featuring weightlifting gold medal hopeful Shane Hamman, will debut Saturday, July 24 on the USA Network during the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame induction ceremony, presented by Allstate. Both the “Weightlifter” and “Shotput” commercials will run throughout the Olympic Games from August 13-29 on the NBC family networks, including in the opening and closing ceremonies.

The U.S. Olympic commercials continue Allstate’s current “Our Stand” advertising campaign featuring Dennis Haysbert of Fox’s award-winning show 24. “Weightlifter” and “Shotput” have a distinct look and feel that feature U.S. Olympians along with a laughable storyline that makes a connection between the ideals of the Olympic Games and Allstate’s commitment to consumers’ insurance needs. The “Weightlifter” commercial has been created in 30, 45 and 60-second formats and “Shotput” will run as a 30-second commercial.

The print component of Allstate’s U.S. Olympic campaign features two advertisements that rely on future U.S. Olympic hopefuls to bring the insurance message home. The print ads are running in a variety of publications in July and August including Time and Sports Illustrated. The new television and print advertising join Allstate’s already-in-progress consumer promotion to give away five brand new Cadillacs and other prizes. The consumer promotion, a first of its kind for Allstate, launched on July 1 and is supported through television, print, radio and online advertising. Consumers can register to win at www.allstateGoUSA.com between now and August 31, 2004.

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®" slogan, Allstate provides insurance products to more than 16 million households and has approximately 12,900 exclusive agencies and financial specialists in the U.S. and Canada. Customers can access Allstate products and services through Allstate agents, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. Encompass^SM and Deerbrook® Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. Allstate Financial Group includes the businesses that provide life insurance, annuity, retirement, banking and investment products through distribution channels that include Allstate agents, independent agents, worksite, financial institutions and broker-dealers.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
George Nolan, Media Relations, (847) 402-5600