Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC Renews Marketing Partnership With The PGA TOURBridgestone Brand Continues as Official Tire of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour
AKRON, Ohio (August 9, 2009) The PGA TOUR and Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC (BATO), have entered into a five-year official marketing partnership, whereby the Bridgestone brand continues its exclusive designation as the Official Tire of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour.
The Bridgestone brand will leverage the official marketing partnership via an integrated marketing campaign that includes advertising with PGA TOUR telecasts, PGATOUR.com and other PGA TOUR-licensed media such as Golf Digest and Golf World.
“We are extremely pleased that the Bridgestone brand is further extending its official marketing relationship with the PGA TOUR through Bridgestone Tires,” said Tom Wade, Chief Marketing Officer for the PGA TOUR. “On the heels of the announcement that Bridgestone will continue as title sponsor of the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational through 2014, this Official Marketing Partner extension only strengthens the already well-established partnership between Bridgestone and the PGA TOUR."
BATO will also continue taking its “Bridgestone Performance Park Expo” on the road at select PGA TOUR events to help fans improve their drive on the road and on the fairway. The expo features the Bridgestone Golf Ball Fitting Challenge, which can guide fans to a golf ball that maximizes their performance from tee to green through optimizing ball speed, launch angle, and spin rates using the sophisticated Science Eye system.
While fans are waiting their turn to find out which ball is best for their golf game, they can learn which Bridgestone tire is best for their own vehicle through a fun, interactive mini-golf course giving fans a chance to navigate different terrains. Informational displays at each hole feature the Blizzak, Dueler, Potenza and Turanza tires, and flat-panel TVs will alternate showing golf tips from Bridgestone-sponsored PGA TOUR players and “It’s Bridgestone or Nothing” commercials. Brand ambassadors will be on-site to distribute literature and answer fans’ questions.
“We are thrilled to continue our relationship with the PGA TOUR,” said John Baratta, President, Consumer Tire Sales, U.S. and Canada. “The PGA TOUR and its fan base are a perfect fit for the Bridgestone brand, and we look forward to continuing to let golf fans know that for drivers who want the most out of their cars, ‘It’s Bridgestone or Nothing’ .”
About Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) is a business unit of Bridgestone Americas, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. Reporting into the BATO business unit are the company's Latin American tire operations, the U.S. and Canadian consumer tire businesses and the U.S. and Canadian commercial tire businesses. BATO develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires. The business unit is focused on retail, wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires to its customers in the Americas. In addition, through its Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions unit, retreading customers have access to industry-leading research and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales expertise, providing them with a total tire solution.
About the PGA TOUR:
The PGA TOUR is a tax-exempt membership organization of professional golfers. Its primary purpose is to expand the PGA TOUR domestically and internationally so as to substantially increase player financial benefits while maintaining our commitment to growth in charity and integrity to the game.
In 2009, the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour together are competing in 100 events offering more than $350 million in prize money. Tournaments will be held in 10 countries outside the U.S. and in 35 states.
In addition to providing competitive opportunities for its membership, TOUR events also generate significant funds for local charities. In fact, the three Tours have surpassed the $1 billion mark in overall charitable contributions. The PGA TOUR's web site address is www.pgatour.com and the company is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.