MINNEAPOLIS (Nov. 10, 2004) — FLW Outdoors, the world’s leading marketer of competitive fishing, announced Wednesday that 7 UP renewed its highly successful sponsorship as the official soft drink of the Wal-Mart FLW Tour and FLW Outdoors’ other premier freshwater tournament trails.
7 UP joined the FLW Outdoors sponsorship team in 2003 and hasn’t looked back since. For the last two seasons, 7 UP has marketed itself to the nation’s fishing enthusiasts – more than 52 million – who are known for their loyalty to FLW Outdoors sponsor products. 7 UP is one of many top-shelf brands giving its support to the family-oriented sport of fishing, helping to catapult professional fishing into the American mainstream.
“We are proud to support FLW Outdoors for the third year in a row,” said Frances Knipp, brand manager for 7 UP. “We look forward to working with FLW Outdoors in the years ahead to continue to grow the sport and reach the millions of Americans who enjoy fishing.”
The 7 UP brand will be visible on the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, EverStart Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail, Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Tour and Wal-Mart RCL Walleye League.
During the 2004 season, 7 UP rolled out FLW Outdoors soft-drink machines at select Wal-Mart stores across the country, a practice that will continue during the 2005 season. As an FLW Outdoors sponsor, 7 UP will be featured in a variety of media formats – most notably the “FLW Outdoors” television program on Fox Sports Net, which is available in 82 million homes through its network of 20 regional sports channels. Sponsors also benefit from prominent advertisements and news features in FLW Outdoors Magazine and at FLWOutdoors.com. Further publicity opportunities at FLW Outdoors include sponsor-specific product displays in the Family Fun Zone, signage at tournaments, angler-award programs, and other promotional and public-relations materials.
7 UP sponsors a professional angler team, and the 2004 team members included Robert Pearson of Oak Hill, Va., Mark Goines of Shady Point, Okla., and Shad Schenck of Waynetown, Ind. Team 7 UP can be seen on tournament waters in specially designed NASCAR-style Ranger boats.
“7 UP has been a great partner over the last two seasons and has become a staple for visitors who want to cool down at the Family Fun Zone during FLW Tour event weigh-ins,” said Bill Petrowiak, vice president of marketing and communications for FLW Outdoors. “FLW Outdoors places a great emphasis on family, making 7 UP a perfect fit on our sponsorship team.”
FLW Outdoors is the industry’s premier provider of sport-fishing tournaments, including the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, the world’s most lucrative bass-fishing circuit; the EverStart Series, known as the gateway to the FLW Tour; the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League for weekend anglers; the Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail; the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Tour, the world’s most lucrative walleye-fishing circuit; the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye League for weekend anglers; the Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour, the world’s most lucrative kingfish series; and the Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series.
7 UP (www.7UP.com) is a leading brand in the beverage portfolio of Plano, Texas-based Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages (CSAB), a subsidiary of Cadbury Schweppes plc (NYSE: CSG). CSAB is one of the largest producers of soft drinks and premium beverages in the Americas. In addition to 7 UP, CSAB’s brand portfolio includes Dr Pepper, Snapple, Mott’s Apple Juice, RC Cola, A&W Root Beer, Sunkist Soda, Canada Dry, Hawaiian Punch, Schweppes, Diet Rite, Slush Puppie frozen drinks, Clamato, Mr & Mrs Ts Mixers, Holland House Mixers, Rose’s, Mistic, Yoo-hoo, Orangina, Stewart’s, Nantucket Nectars and other well-known consumer brands.
Wal-Mart and many of America’s most respected companies support FLW Outdoors and its tournament trails. Wal-Mart has been the title sponsor of FLW Outdoors since 1997. For a complete list of FLW Outdoors sponsors and for more information about the premier products and services they offer, please visit FLWOutdoors.com’s sponsor page.
For additional information on Cadbury Schweppes and its products, visit www.cadburyschweppes.com. For more information about FLW Outdoors, browse the organization’s Web site or call (270) 252-1000.
Advertising