GEICO hooks Bassmaster Classic title sponsorship
Category: press release
Nov 4th, 2014 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Nov 4th, 2014 at 12:00 AM
GEICO has signed a multi-year agreement to serve as the title sponsor of the Bassmaster Classic, the world championship of bass fishing.
The 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic kicks off Feb. 20-22 at South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell. Greenville, S.C., will be the hub of Classic activities with the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo held in the TD Convention Center and the daily weigh-ins at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
“GEICO’s relationship with the Bassmaster Classic has been truly successful in both supporting the growing bass fishing audience and driving awareness of our auto and boat product lines,” said Ted Ward, GEICO vice president of marketing. “The Bassmaster Classic is a great platform for us to engage with these passionate and loyal fans.”
As the title sponsor, GEICO will be prominent at the livewell seating area at the Classic weigh-in. B.A.S.S. will also provide lucky spectators with “GEICO For Your Boat” T-shirts at the front-stage area. GEICO-branded shirts will also be worn by the Classic marshals, the official observers for the competitors.
GEICO will present the Everyday Leader Award of $1,000 to the leader of the first and second days of competition. The company will also have a prominent booth at the popular Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo, the annual consumer show produced by B.A.S.S. The GEICO Gecko will make a return appearance at the Outdoors Expo to mingle with bass fishing fans.
“The Bassmaster Classic is our most anticipated event of the year with tens of thousands of fans expected to attend,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “Having GEICO return as our title sponsor solidifies the magnitude of this tournament and its reach within the industry.”
GEICO will be highlighted in Classic-related advertising, promotions and editorial coverage in Bassmaster Magazine and on Bassmaster.com. Bassmaster Magazine reaches more than 500,000 B.A.S.S. members, and the digital coverage on Bassmaster.com during last year’s Classic week drew more than 22.2 million page views.
On The Bassmasters TV show covering the Classic, GEICO will be given six in-show features airing on ESPN2. The shows will be re-aired on ESPN2, ESPN Classic and The Outdoor Channel.
Admission to the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic is free and is expected to attract huge crowds to the “Super Bowl of Bass Fishing.” Each of the past four years, an average of 100,000 fishing fans attended one or more venues to watch the world’s best bass anglers compete.