Petty Enterprises names marketing chief

Bartelli named Chief Marketing Officer of Petty Enterprises & Richard Petty Driving Experience
Veteran motorsports marketer latest addition to executive team

Mooresville, N.C. (July 16, 2008) -- Petty Enterprises announced today that Michael Bartelli has been named Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer of the legendary race team and the Richard Petty Driving Experience.

"We are excited to have a marketing executive of Mike's acumen and reputation join us," said David Zucker, Chief Executive Officer of Petty Enterprises. "His proven ability to help brands realize value from motorsports marketing will be an invaluable asset to the Petty organization and our partners. He is a strategic thinker who built a leading motorsports agency from the ground up and his experience across a multitude of consumer product categories will serve us well as we grow our businesses."

Bartelli will further strengthen the race team marketing group led by Brian Moffitt and the Richard Petty Driving Experience efforts led by President Brian Flynn. Bartelli joins Petty Enterprises from Millsport's Charlotte-based motorsports division where he spent eight years, and was most recently, its President. He is credited with taking the agency from its early stages in motorsports to a recognized leader in the industry.

Prior to Millsport, Bartelli served as Vice President, Business Development for Action Performance Companies, the world's largest manufacturer of licensed motorsports merchandise at the time. He began his industry career in Daytona Beach, FL where he served as Director, Marketing Partnerships for International Speedway Corporation (ISC), the world's leading promoter of motorsports events.

Named to Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal "Forty Under 40" list of the industry's top young achievers in 2005, Bartelli also serves on the Charlotte board of directors for the National Sports Marketing Network, the national trade organization for the sports business industry.

In his new role, Bartelli will be responsible for directing and overseeing all sales, marketing and licensing activities of the Petty Enterprise companies. He will report directly to Zucker.

"I've been around motorsports awhile, have great respect for what the Petty's stand for and couldn't let a chance to be part of history pass me by," Bartelli said. "The recent investment by Boston Ventures, David joining as CEO, the re-signing of Bobby Labonte and the integration of race team and driving experience operations are clear signs of things to come from this organization. I'm really looking forward to helping build the future of one of the most recognized brands in all of sports."

-credit: pe