FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2009

OPTIMA Batteries Increases Association with BASS as Official Sponsor

OPTIMA Batteries, The Ultimate Power Source, and BASS, the worldwide authority on bass fishing, announced Thursday that Milwaukee, Wisc.,-based OPTIMA has increased their investment with BASS, becoming an official sponsor of the organization and its prestigious tournament structure.

The agreement includes sponsorship of the Bassmaster Classic, Bassmaster Elite Series, the BASS Federation Nation presented by Yamaha Outboards and Skeeter Boats, the Bassmaster Opens and the Women’s Bassmaster Tour presented by Academy Sports & Outdoors.

Additionally, OPTIMA will sponsor BASS’ youth initiatives: the Junior Bassmaster World Championship and the Bassmaster CastingKids program.

"OPTIMA Batteries is proud to continue our association with BASS, the worldwide leader in bass fishing," said Josie Cline, Marine Brand Manager for OPTIMA Batteries. "As an Ultimate Power Source for BASS and an avid supporter of the sport of bass fishing, OPTIMA Batteries encourages enthusiasts everywhere to stay out on the water longer and together we will continue to power the sport into the future."

As part of the agreement, OPTIMA will receive significant exposure across all of ESPN Outdoors’ multimedia properties including Bassmaster Magazine, Bassmaster.com and ESPN2 Outdoors programming.

OPTIMA has strong roots in the bass fishing industry. It served as a sponsor of BASS in 2008 and continues to be the primary sponsor of Bassmaster Elite Series pro Edwin Evers of Talala, Okla. Evers continues to perform well on the Elite Series, scoring a sixth-place finish in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.

“OPTIMA has a fantastic reputation in the industry and we are excited to have them increase their association with BASS,” said Tom Ricks, vice president and general manager of BASS. “Companies like OPTIMA are necessary to grow the sport of bass fishing.”

For more information on OPTIMA Batteries, visit www.optimabatteries.com

For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit www.Bassmaster.com. Visit www.espnmediazone.com for ESPN's latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video and audio clips and more.

About OPTIMA Batteries

OPTIMA Batteries are manufactured by Johnson Controls, Inc. Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI - News) is the global leader that brings ingenuity to the places where people live, work and travel. By integrating technologies, products and services, we create smart environments that redefine the relationships between people and their surroundings. Our team of 140,000 employees creates a more comfortable, safe and sustainable world through our products and services for more than 200 million vehicles, 12 million homes and one million commercial buildings. Our commitment to sustainability drives our environmental stewardship, good corporate citizenship in our workplaces and communities, and the products and services we provide to customers. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com.

About BASS

For 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multi-media platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive web properties in www.Bassmaster.com and www.ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage to passionate audiences.

The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Women’s Bassmaster Tour and the Bassmaster Classic, the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS sanctions more than 20,000 events annually.

BASS also offers a wide array of services to its more than 525,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

Media Contact: Doug Grassian at 407-566-2216 or doug.grassian@espn.com