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Pontiac Aztek Selects A-List Adventurer 

19 June 2000

Louisville, KY - June 19, 2000

Cleo K. Joiner III has been selected out of more than 13,000 entrants to be an "A-List Adventurer" and take the ultimate road trip this summer. Consumers all across the country are invited to join her - virtually, that is. Cleo is one of 20 "A-List" consumers and four celebrity drivers hitting the streets this summer in the bold, aggressively-styled 2001 Pontiac Aztek - just before the all-new Sport Recreation Vehicle (SRV) hits showroom floors.

The 20 "A-List" winners joined by the personalities from the entertainment and sports worlds will experience how the creative functionality of the vehicle blends with their own unique lifestyles.

Cleo submitted his winning essay to Aztek's web site (www.pontiac.com/aztek) in an innovative online contest explaining why he is bold enough to drive the Aztek. Chosen because his own adventurous personality is a perfect match for Aztek's unique personality and styling, Cleo will test drive the Aztek for 45 days and document his experiences with journal-like entries and digital photos on the Aztek website.

Other honors Cleo received included attendance at an exclusive A-List "Beach Bash" in Malibu, CA held in his and the other "A-Listers" honor. The party featured an exclusive performance by LA based band "Sumack" and an array of food from the legendary chef Wolfgang Puck."

A resident of Louisville, KY, Cleo is a pharmaceutical territory distribution representative and enjoys traveling, music, reading, fine arts, bicycle riding and amusement parks in his spare time.

In his winning essay, Cleo said, "The Aztek is very bold and begs for adventure. I am the perfect person to drive it because I'm constantly in the public's eye. As an African-American minister and musician, I have influence over others. I will provide multiple exposures within the local church community, at several national conventions in which i hold offices and my visibility extends to my being a professional sales person, that trains, motivates, and leads people every day of the year."

"We're extremely excited about putting our A-List Adventurers behind the wheel of Aztek," said don Butler, Aztek Brand Manager. "The phenomenal response we received from consumers all over the country vying to be the first to drive the Aztek tells us we're on the right track. And since many of Aztek's most innovative features were a result of consumer interaction via the Internet, it only seems appropriate that the first driving opportunities for this all-new vehicle were provided via the Web."

Celebrity drivers include actress AJ Langer ("It's Like You Know", "My So Called "Life"); actor Billy Wirth ("Relax...It's Just Sex, "Boys on the Side", "Lost Boys"); Mark Burnett, Executive Producer, "Survivor!"; and Dave Hutchinson (US Pro Wakeboard Tour) Each will drive an Aztek for 1 year and document their own adventurous lifestyles online for several weeks, as well.

A-List Adventurer Cleo Joiner, left, parties with Aztek Brand Manager Don Butler at an exclusive "Beach Bash" held in honor of the 20 "A-Listers." The party, held in Malibu, CA on May 20, 2000, officially kicked off the 45-day Aztek virtual road trip.
PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Tweed

After making its world debut at the Greater Los Angeles auto Show in January, the 2001 Aztek will begin arriving in showrooms on the West Coast in June, followed by a national rollout.