JUN-13-2007

Valspar Hosts the Valspar Paint Performance Challenge

U.S. Davis Cup Captain Patrick McEnroe to Kick-Off the Skills Challenge in NYC on June 11th

Wheeling, IL - June 11, 2007 - The Valspar Corporation, a global leader in the paint and coatings industry, today announced it has become a major sponsor of The US Open and the US Open Series. This marks the first comprehensive sports partnership for Valspar, as well as a new business category for the sport of tennis. The new arrangement coincides with the launch of Valspar's new consumer paint brand, and will include a full summer-long fan competition, "The Valspar Paint Performance Challenge," which culminates with an opportunity to compete with the pros at Arthur Ashe Kids' Day, the annual youth tennis and entertainment festival that kicks-off the US Open.

The centerpiece of Valspar's new partnership is the "Valspar Paint Performance Challenge," a tennis skills challenge for fans that launches with U.S. Davis Cup Captain Patrick McEnroe on June 11th in New York City. Between the hour of 10 a.m. and 11a.m. on June 11th, 51st Street (between 6th and 7th Avenue) will close and McEnroe will demonstrate the Challenge for admiring fans by testing his own hitting accuracy and showcasing how the challenge is done. Valspar's Paint Performance Challenge is part of a USTA event being held at Radio City Music Hall to promote the launch of ticket sales for the 2007 US Open.

The kick-off for fans to participate in the Valspar Paint Performance Challenge begins on July 21st during the Countrywide Classic in Los Angeles, CA, which is the first of eight US Open Series events where fans can sign up to compete. During each Challenge, contestants will test their hitting accuracy through a series of on-court targets and will have 60 seconds to hit as many targets as possible - 30 seconds for forehand shots and 30 seconds for backhand. The winners from each market will then be flown to New York to compete in a national playoff at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The Challenge culminates with the overall winner having the opportunity to compete with the tennis pros during the Arthur Ashe Kids' Day Stadium Show, which will be broadcast on CBS on August 26th.

"Valspar is looking forward to connecting directly with tennis fans through our Paint Performance Challenge and other partnership activities with the USTA leading up to the US Open," said Gary Hendrickson, Senior Vice President, Valspar. "Tennis was a natural fit for us since it is a sport that blends performance and beauty and we've been doing that with our products for over 200 years at Valspar. It's also unique because it allows us to reach a broader audience since men and women watch and play tennis together."

Fans can sign up to participate in the Valspar Paint Performance Challenge at www.valspartennis.com or onsite at any of the eight US Open Series Events - click here for complete list.