STATE FARM GOES HOLLYWOOD WITH SPONSORSHIP OF MAJOR FILM PROMOTION

Bloomington-Ill.-based State Farm Insurance has announced that it is the first property and casualty insurer to be a sponsor of a major film promotion. State CARS, the latest movie from Disney-Pixar, the Academy Award-winning creators of The Incredibles and Finding Nemo.

According to the insurer, CARS is a fast-paced comedy adventure set in the world of cars. Lightning McQueen, a hotshot rookie racecar driven to succeed, finds himself unexpectedly detoured to the sleepy Route 66 town of Radiator Springs where he discovers that life is about the journey, not the finish line. CARS will be in theaters June 9, 2006.

State Farm’s CARS promotion is underway with this week’s launch of the “State Farm Countdown to CARS” Giveaway, which runs through June 19. Twenty-five lucky grand prize winners will each be awarded a 2007 Red Ford Mustang 2dr coupe deluxe car.

Complete rules and the entry form can be accessed through statefarm.com.

In the coming weeks, State Farm will also present Disney-Pixar’s “CARS Road Trip ’06.” The tour will bring live versions of the film’s animated stars to several cities across the United States and make a special stop at the World Premiere of Disney-Pixar’s CARS on May 26 in Charlotte, N.C., at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

State Farm is also creating a limited-edition CARS North American road atlas, available through participating State Farm agents starting in May. Go to statefarm.com for official rules and to enter the “State Farm Countdown to CARS” Giveaway.

State Farm identifies itself as the largest insurer of cars than any other insurer in North America and is the leading U.S. home insurer. State Farm’s 17,000 agents and 69,000 employees serve nearly 73 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada.