Kirks, Looney Join IMS As Brickyard 400, Red Bull Indianapolis GP Brand Managers
February 25, 2011 | By Paul Kelly
Mike Kirks and LeeAnne Looney recently joined the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as brand managers for the Brickyard 400 and Red Bull Indianapolis GP, respectively.
Kirks and Looney will be responsible for promotional and marketing planning, logistics and execution for the annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and MotoGP events at IMS.
“I’m excited to welcome Mike and LeeAnne to our talented, professional staff,” said Mark Dill, IMS vice president of marketing and public relations. “The hiring of Mike and LeeAnne shows a continued investment into our events and will ensure the leadership and resources are in place to make them extraordinary.”
Kirks comes to IMS after working in sales and marketing for the last decade for a variety of companies, including ICON Aircraft, Events Direct, Just Marketing International, GMR Marketing and the St. Louis Cardinals.
During his tenure with JMI, Kirks managed a motorsports marketing program for Diageo, including its Crown Royal brand. He also has NASCAR experience at GMR, when he worked with major clients that included Nokia, LEGO, PepsiCo, Wrigley’s, Miller Brewing and Alltel.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to be a part of such an iconic facility like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” Kirks said. “I look forward to the road ahead to advance and evolve the Brickyard 400 brand.”
Kirks received a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Maryville University in St. Louis.
Looney comes to IMS after a four-year tenure at Indianapolis law firm Ice Miller. Her responsibilities there included managing business development for the overall company and assisting with management of NFL clients through the firm’s former Sports Services division.
“I am thrilled to be a part of the IMS team and look forward to strengthening the brand of the Red Bull Indianapolis GP,” Looney said. “I am confident we can amplify our demographic while continuing to increase customer service and satisfaction among our existing, loyal customers.”
Looney received a bachelor’s degree in sport administration from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., and a master’s degree in recreational sport management from the University of Iowa.
***
2011 IMS tickets: Tickets are on sale for all three races in 2011 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 29, the Brickyard 400 on Sunday, July 31 and the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sunday, Aug. 28 – at www.imstix.com.
For more information, call the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or visit the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street. Ticket office and phone hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday.
Children 12 and under will receive free general admission to any IMS event in 2011 when accompanied by an adult general admission ticket holder.