WAYNE, N.J. (June 3, 2013) — In conjunction with the U.S. Soccer Federation's Centennial celebration, the Castrol GTX High Mileage lubricant brand has named Kasey Keller its new brand ambassador.
BP Lubricants USA Inc., which markets the Castrol brand, called Mr. Keller an "American soccer legend," and said he will be featured across the Castrol GTX High Mileage "Best Miles Ahead" campaign and also will make appearances across Castrol-sponsored events through 2014.
Castrol GTX High Mileage is the official motor oil of the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team and Major League Soccer.
"Kasey is the ideal player for Castrol to partner with as he exemplifies the GTX High Mileage brand and idea of 'best miles ahead'," said Tracy Drelich, Castrol's associate promotions/sponsorship manager. "Castrol is proud to celebrate Kasey's long-standing, successful career and all of his accomplishments beyond the goal."
BP said Mr. Keller "has had an impressive goalkeeping career across the globe." He previously played for Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) and the United States Men's National Soccer Team. He is a four-time FIFA World Cup player and the first American goalkeeper to become a regular in the German Bundesliga, the English Premier League and the Spanish La Liga. He currently is a commentator for ESPN and the Sounders' color commentator in local broadcasts.
"As a former player and current soccer analyst, I am honored to be partnering with Castrol to support their ongoing dedication to soccer," Mr. Keller said in a BP press release. "With the Castrol Index, the brand has created an innovative way to engage the soccer community. It's been exciting to watch the evolution of how player performances are reviewed since my time on the field."
The Castrol Index tracks every move on the soccer field and assesses whether it has a negative or positive impact on a team's ability to score or concede a goal. A key factor for all areas of performance on the Castrol Index is which zone on the pitch the action takes place. According to BP, the index "operates on the philosophy that not all passes are created equal; a player's quality is more than just the goals and shots he generates and individual actions have their own merits."
Castrol also is an official sponsor of the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 and 2014 FIFA World Cup. The company said it plans to support both the U.S. and Mexican Men's National Teams as they continue their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns.
As interest in soccer—specifically in the U.S.—continues to grow in anticipation of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, BP said "this sponsorship of the U.S. and Mexican National Teams creates a dynamic and unique activation opportunity for the Castrol brand."
In addition to Castrol GTX High Mileage, BP Lubricants markets Castrol GTX, the Castrol EDGE line of full-synthetic super premium motor oils, and Castrol Power RS, a full synthetic motorcycle oil, as well as a range of commercial transport lubricants.