| | | | | | NOT JUST A DRIVER | Labonte forms marketing agency: Breaking Limits | |
| | By Michael Smith / Sporting News Wire Service NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte, a former Winston Cup champion, announced Wednesday the formation of a full-service marketing agency, Breaking Limits.
Labonte, who drives the No. 43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge for Petty Enterprises, has hired a staff and expects to begin operations immediately, offering a range of services that include sales, marketing and public and media relations.
He's not the first driver to use his motorsports connections to forge a business in the sport. Tony Stewart founded True Speed Communication, a public relations and marketing firm that services Joe Gibbs Racing.
"You get to a point where you wonder what you're going to do when you're not driving," said Labonte, 43, who added that he was not on the verge of retirement as a driver. "Being in the sport, I've always been around sponsors, marketing agencies, PR, and that becomes your life. I just don't see myself doing something out of racing."
Labonte said his agency is starting from scratch in its search for clients and that he is fully funding the startup costs. His office will be based in Huntersville, N.C. A staff that includes Mark Hughes as chief financial officer, Julie Bousha as director of marketing and Jeff Dennison as director of public and media relations is in place.
Labonte, who will serve as president, said he hopes to drive five to 10 more years, but he'll be as involved with the agency as his schedule permits.
"I've learned a lot from all of the people I've been around in this sport," he said. "I've seen what a lasting relationship with a company is about, and hopefully that will come across in this new business."
| | Posted November 15, 2007 , 6:01 pm EST
Last Updated November 15, 2007 , 6:16 pm EST | | | | | | | | | | |
