Moran Industries, Inc. Takes "Bullish" Approach To Marketing

Leading Automotive Aftermarket Franchise Uses Rodeo Bulls to "Drive" Business

Moran Industries, Inc., one of the nation’s leading franchisors of automotive aftermarket centers, recently partnered with the Guidry Rodeo Co., Inc., of Madisonville, Texas, to sponsor two bulls named Multistate Transmission and Mr. Transmission on the national professional rodeo circuit in an effort to increase brand awareness of the company’s two transmission concepts.

Because Moran Industries does not advertise in print or broadcast media on a national basis, the company’s focus is on local and regional marketing efforts. The sponsorship is designed to support those efforts through more than 30 events this year alone in markets where Moran Industries has service centers. Each rodeo draws between 3,500 and 70,000 spectators at venues nationwide, and many of the events are nationally televised, offering additional exposure.

“This unconventional sponsorship is part of a targeted marketing effort that reinforces brand awareness with customers in regions where we already have a presence, including Dallas, Houston and Denver,” said Jeffrey Johnson, director of marketing for Moran Industries, Inc. “Our more than 200 Multistate Transmission and Mr. Transmission centers nationwide will benefit from these efforts.”

Since the sponsorship began in March 2005, both Mr. Transmission and Multistate Transmission have proven feisty competitors in recent PRCA rodeos and PBR events, dethroning numerous top-ranked bull riders.

“Mr. Transmission and Multistate Transmission are both top notch bulls that are full of energy and simply will not tolerate riders on their backs,” explained Vernon Guidry, president of the Guidry Rodeo Co., Inc. “Based on the bulls’ successes, it looks like they will be two of only 100 bulls selected to exit the chutes at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas later this year.”

About Moran Industries, Inc.

Based in Midlothian, IL, Moran Industries provides specialty products and services in virtually every aspect of the automotive after market through five franchise brands and a total of 239 locations: including Transmission USA service locations (Mr. Transmission, Multistate Transmission, Dr. Nick Transmission); Alta Mere Complete Auto Imaging centers; and Milex Tune Up and Brake Centers.