AirTran Airways Partners with Major League Slugger Ryan Braun

ORLANDO, Fla., March 27, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ ----- Milwaukee Brewers All-Star Helping Airline Knock High Fares Out of the Park -
AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI: 4.57, -0.11, -2.35%), scored Milwaukee Brewers superstar Ryan Braun, winner of the 2007 National League Rookie of the Year Award, for its Milwaukee sports advertising campaign. Braun will appear in advertisements and make personal appearances on behalf of the airline.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090327/NY89073 )
The endorsement deal with Braun arrives only a couple months after AirTran Airways signed a partnership with the Milwaukee Brewers, which includes naming rights to Miller Park's AirTran Airways Landing Zone, an all-inclusive seating area at the Brewers' home stadium. In the coming weeks, the airline will unveil several billboards in Milwaukee featuring Braun.
"Ryan is considered one of the best young players in baseball today, and we are thrilled to add him to our roster of sports endorsers," said Tad Hutcheson, vice president of marketing and sales for AirTran Airways. "He is a fan favorite in Milwaukee, a market where AirTran Airways recently expanded service by more than 55 percent. Now that AirTran Airways is able to offer travelers even more nonstop flight options, we look forward to partnering with Braun and hitting high fares out of the park for all Milwaukee residents."
Braun is an All-Star left fielder who broke into Major League Baseball with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2007. During his award-winning rookie season, he led the National League in slugging percentage. In addition, he received the following awards: the Sporting News National League Rookie of the Year, the Baseball America Rookie of the Year, the Baseball Prospectus Internet Baseball NL Rookie of the Year, and the Players Choice National League Most Outstanding Rookie. Over the past decade, the only other NL hitter to win all five awards was Albert Pujols, who accomplished the feat in 2001. Braun continued his success in 2008, when his home run hit in the final game of the season sent the Brewers to the playoffs for the first time in 26 years.
Braun joins an esteemed group of athletes on AirTran Airways' roster of endorsers, which includes IndyCar racing star Danica Patrick, professional football players Donald Driver and Matt Ryan, and more.
CAA Sports, a division of Creative Artists Agency, a sports and entertainment agency, orchestrated the deal on behalf of Braun.
AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI: 4.57, -0.11, -2.35%), a Fortune 1000 company, is ranked number one in the 2008 Airline Quality Rating study. The airline offers coast-to-coast flights, North America's newest all-Boeing fleet, friendly service and Business Class and complimentary XM Satellite Radio on every flight. To book a flight, visit http://www.airtran.com
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