WINGATE INNS INTERNATIONAL, INC. DOUBLES MARKETING BUDGET AND DIVERSIFIES OVERALL MARKETING APPROACH (4/01)

Wingate Inns International, Inc. announced that it doubled its 2001 marketing budget in an effort to diversify its global marketing and advertising initiatives, which include four new television commercials that will target both business and leisure travelers.

"This is the year of diversification for Wingate Inn International as our increased marketing budget is being utilized for advertising and promotions in a variety of mediums," says Lisa Theodore, vice president of marketing for Wingate Inns International. "Leading the way are new television commercials and a new round of television advertising."

Wingate Inns International used its first-ever on-location television commercial shoot to create three 15-second spots (two business oriented and one leisure oriented) and one 30-second generic spot that targets both business and leisure travelers. All four commercials communicate product consistency while reinforcing the brand's all-inclusive pricing model with a strong emphasis on free high-speed Internet access. The national TV commercials will appear on the MSNBC and FOX News networks, which reach a combined 110 million people.

With an overall strategy of continuing to build brand awareness, Wingate Inns International will also advertise in a full staple of both consumer and trade publications, including USA Today, ON Magazine (a relaunch of Time Digital), OAG North American Business Travel Planner, OAG Resource Guide, Hotel Travel Index, Official Hotel Guide, OAG North American ocket Flight Guide, and other yet-to-be determined publications.

"We truly wanted to diversify all of our marketing efforts, particularly our overall print advertising," explains Theodore. "This selection of publications will put the Wingate Inn name in front of a wide variety of not only business and leisure travelers, but also the travel agents and planners who book vacations and business trips for these people."

Electronic marketing is another way in which Wingate Inns International is enhancing and diversifying its marketing initiatives. In addition to its new, five-page, individual Wingate Inn hotel websites, consumers will see banner ads, buttons or listings on more than 60 third-party websites this year, including CNBC.com, Worldpages.com, Move.com and hotelsatperdiem.com (a government traveler website).

The Wingate Inn brand also entered into an electronic marketing alliance with go2^® Systems Inc. in an effort to further advance the brand's strategy of building brand awareness. The alliance with go2 will allow the brand to offer hotel information and reservation capabilities through wireless devices such as Personal Digital Assistants and Web-enabled cell phones.

"As you can see, the brand is branching out to a variety of mediums to let consumers and travel agents know who we are and that we're here to stay," concludes Theodore. "Whether it's electronic marketing alliances, varied print advertising or our exciting new television commercials, our enhanced vehicles and diversified approach should increase the brand's exposure and continue building brand awareness."

Wingate Inns International is an all-new construction hotel chain that opened its first franchised hotel in July 1996. Its focused service, upper mid-market franchised hotels feature sophisticated, consumer-based technology and comfortable, oversized rooms that were created in response to business travelers' needs. All Wingate Inn hotels are independently owned and operated under Franchise agreements with Wingate Inns International.