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ATLANTA (Mar. 11, 1999) � U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:
USFS), franchisor of Microtel Inn & Suites, Hawthorn Suites and Best
Inns & Suites, debuts its 1999 national television commercial campaigns
for all three brands on CNN beginning March 15. The commercials will
run through mid-September 1999.
Mike Leven, president and CEO of USFS, is the host of the series called �US Traveler. Five 30-second commercials � two each for Hawthorn and Microtel, and one for Best � are filmed in a talk-show format, featuring Leven as a travel expert discussing the special benefits of each brand.
The commercials are airing on CNN�s �Business Day� between 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. EST and again at 6:55 a.m. EST as part of the brands� exclusive sponsorship of �Business Travel Advisory.� They are also airing between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. PST on CNN Headline News. The Best commercials are airing on CNNfn. CNN reaches approximately 70 million households each day with its popular �Business Day� and �Business Travel Advisory� formats. The commercials were created by the Atlanta-based agency, 360, Inc. There are currently 525 Microtel, 259 Hawthorn and 245 Best properties open or in development. Microtel�s New Poster Campaign In addition, three different posters are greeting guests in the lobbies of all open Microtel properties. The first depicts Leven cutting a red ribbon to emphasize Microtel�s all new-construction. He says, �Microtel. Brand-new everything.� The next features Leven in a bathtub full of hotel shampoos and lotions, and points out, �At Microtel, you don�t pay for what you don�t need.� The third shows Leven on one of Microtel�s American Chiropractic Association approved mattresses, saying, �Easy on your back and your budget.� The posters were also created by 360, Inc. Atlanta-based U.S. Franchise Systems was formed in 1995 by Mike Leven, a 38-year veteran of the lodging industry, and Neal Aronson, former principle of a leading New York investment firm. USFS� three hotel brands include Microtel Inn & Suites, the all-newly constructed, interior corridor, budget hotels; Hawthorn Suites, an upper-end extended-stay all suite brand; and Best Inns & Suites, the mid-level/economy brand. USFS also offers hotel management services to its franchisees. |
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