NEW YORK – The BIG EAST today announced new and returning partners who will support the conference in 2016 and beyond, led by the Jeep
® brand, which has signed on with the Conference and FOX Sports to be the presenting sponsor of the BIG EAST conference championships. The sponsorship goes into high gear during the BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden, March 9-12 on FS1 and FOX.
The agreement with the Jeep brand is one of the partnerships included in the recent five-year extension of the sponsorship sales representation agreement between the Conference and FOX Sports.
As the presenting sponsor, the Jeep brand will receive category exclusivity, use of Conference marks and Tournament logos in promotional materials, and rights to conduct other marketing initiatives and programs. Jeep’s commitment also includes a comprehensive media and marketing buy that will allow it to fully integrate its messaging across all platforms, including television, out of home advertising plus social and digital media.
“The BIG EAST is synonymous with academic excellence, a commitment to service and a spirited brand of urban basketball built upon tremendous fan support,” said BIG EAST Chief Marketing Officer Ann Wells Crandall. “We are proud to have crafted an alliance with Jeep, which celebrates our shared values and extends the BIG EAST’s reach nationwide.”
The Jeep brand’s presenting sponsorship of the BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden includes:
- Center Court branding
- Co-branding on tickets, programs, and other marketing materials promoting the tournament
- Co-branding in the Conference marketing campaign, which includes national, regional and local television; out of home advertising; grassroots marketing; and paid social and digital media
“We are incredibly excited to have Jeep, a longtime supporter of FOX Sports, partner with us and the BIG EAST,” said Neil Mulcahy, Executive Vice President, FOX Sports Sales. “FS1 has experienced strong growth this year, and increased interest in the BIG EAST, and the success the Conference has enjoyed, have been big factors.”
In addition to the Jeep brand, new BIG EAST sponsors for 2016 include PrimeSport as the official VIP hospitality and travel partner and Continental Tire as the official tire of the Conference. Days Inn will also be a promotional partner, joining returning partners Nike, Gatorade, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Geico Auto Insurance, Westwood One Radio and Sidearm Sports.
“Our sponsors promise exciting activation during BIG EAST Tournament week and allow us to optimize the Conference’s deep ties with New York City and long-term partnerships with FOX Sports and Madison Square Garden,” said Crandall.
About the Jeep Brand
Built on 75 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence.
The Jeep vehicle lineup consists of the Cherokee, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Patriot, Renegade, Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited. To meet consumer demand around the world, all Jeep models sold outside North America are available in both left and right-hand drive configurations and with gasoline and diesel powertrain options.
About the BIG EAST
The BIG EAST Conference is an association of ten nationally prominent colleges and universities that foster healthy athletic competition, community service and the pursuit of excellence in academic environments. The athletic programs of BIG EAST institutions provide national-caliber participation opportunities for more than 3,000 student-athletes on over 180 men’s and women’s teams in 22 sports. Established in 1979 and headquartered in New York City, the BIG EAST’s members are located in seven of the country’s top 35 largest media markets and include Butler University, Creighton University, DePaul University, Georgetown University, Marquette University, Providence College, St. John’s University, Seton Hall University, Villanova University and Xavier University. For more information, visit www.bigeast.com.
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