OREANDA-NEWS. November 28, 2012. During the 2012-13 Oklahoma City Thunder season, Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK) encourages Thunder fans to cheer for both the home team and the hometown through an advertising campaign spotlighting Oklahoma City nonprofit organizations, reported the press-centre of Chesapeake.

Chesapeake’s “Cheering For Champions” campaign will highlight six nonprofit organizations through TV, radio, billboard and in-arena advertisements that encourage Thunder fans to learn more, volunteer and donate. The six participating nonprofits are: the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma, Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oklahoma and Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma.

“The Cheering For Champions campaign combines two key characteristics of Chesapeake – giving back to the community and cheering on the Thunder,” said Martha Burger, Chesapeake Senior Vice President of Human and Corporate Resources. “Through this campaign, we hope to take the incredible attention the Thunder brings to our city and use it to raise awareness for Oklahoma City charities. Our city rallies around the Thunder, and we want our nonprofit community to experience this same support.”

The Cheering For Champions campaign will focus on one nonprofit each month during the regular season. Ads will describe the work of the organizations and feature key nonprofit staff and recipients of the organizations’ services. Fans will be encouraged to visit a website for more information and to get involved. Mobile donations – texting to donate – will also be part of the campaign.

The campaign launched in the arena with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma as the first organization spotlighted.

“When Chesapeake offered us the opportunity to tell our story I was thrilled,” said Rodney Bivens, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma Executive Director. “Our resources are limited, and we would never be able to afford an advertising campaign around the Thunder season. As an organization that always needs volunteers and donations, being in front of tens of thousands of Thunder fans will be invaluable to raising awareness and feeding more hungry Oklahomans. Chesapeake has always been a strong supporter of our efforts to eradicate hunger in Oklahoma, but I know that this particular gift will have lasting effect on our organization.”

Chesapeake worked with the Thunder to optimize this opportunity for the nonprofits. In addition to the customary sponsorship benefits, ranging from TV and radio ads to concourse signage and program messages, the Thunder will also highlight the nonprofit organizations during game announcements.

“When we learned about this campaign we thought it was a great idea, and a great fit for the Thunder,” said Dan Mahoney, Thunder Vice President of Communications and Community Relations. “Community is key to the team and we are proud to be affiliated with any campaign that raises awareness of Oklahoma City’s nonprofit community. I hope these organizations know that as they are cheering for the Thunder this season, our team will be cheering them on too.”

For more information, visit www.CheeringForChampions.com.