LAS VEGAS (July 20, 2006) - In yet another demonstration of the sport of professional angling's rapid growth, FLW Outdoors announced today that BP, one of the world's largest oil and gas companies, will come on board as its newest platinum sponsor. BP serves approximately 13 million customers every day and, through its new partnership with FLW Outdoors, will tap into the $108 billion fishing industry and grow its relationship with the nation's 55 million anglers and their families.
In 2007 and beyond, BP will sponsor all 12 of the FLW Outdoors tournament trails, including title sponsorship of a division in the revamped 2007 Wal-Mart FLW Series. The new FLW Series will consist of two divisions - the Wal-Mart FLW Series BP Eastern Division and the Wal-Mart FLW Series National Guard Western Division - each consisting of four $1 million qualifying events. Each of the eight $1 million qualifiers will present the world's best bass anglers with a chance to win up to a $125,000 first-place award.
Irwin L. Jacobs, chairman of FLW Outdoors, said, "Based on the success of Castrol's sponsorship program, we're very proud to announce that their parent company, BP, has agreed to a significant, historical, multiyear partnership of their own.
"We are grateful that a company as reputable as BP has tapped into both the growing sport of fishing and FLW Outdoors. Over the years, the angling community has shown tremendous loyalty to our sponsors' products, and I'm personally confident that we'll assist BP's marketing success. The new BP Eastern Division, in particular, will present an effective marketing platform in reaching the top bass fishermen in the world," Jacobs added.
John Melo, president of BP U.S. Fuels Operations, said: "This new sponsorship is a natural fit for BP, since the 55 million anglers and their families represent one of the largest and most loyal consumer groups in America. This powerful group makes more gas purchases than any other outdoor consumer group in America. In fact, over 30 percent of fishing enthusiasts have traveled between 1,000 and 2,000 miles within the last four weeks."
As a platinum sponsor, BP will be featured in a variety of media formats, including the Emmy-nominated "FLW Outdoors" TV program on FSN. BP will also benefit from prominent advertisements in FLW Outdoors Magazine and at FLWOutdoors.com. For example, BP will serve as a presenting sponsor of FLWOutdoors.com's popular FLW Live application, where fishing fans can view live weigh-ins from anywhere in the world. Other BP marketing opportunities will include sponsor-specific product displays and participation in the Family Fun Zone, signage at tournaments, angler-award programs, and other promotional and public-relations materials. FLW Outdoors and BP will also engage in several cross-promotional activities throughout BP's retail stations in the United States.
In addition, BP will be the presenting sponsor of the new $1 million Wal-Mart FLW Striper Series. They also hold presenting sponsor rights of both the $300,000 Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series Championship and the $500,000 Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour Championship.
BP will also field a team of professional anglers, who will compete in FLW Outdoors-administered events across all five tournament species, including bass, walleye, kingfish, redfish and striped bass. Team BP will be made up of some of America's most successful and gifted competitors in their respective circuits and will compete in BP-customized boats.
Wal-Mart and many of America's most respected companies support FLW Outdoors and its tournament trails. 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 more information about FLW Outdoors tournaments, visit FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000. About BP
BP markets more than 15 billion gallons of gasoline every year to U.S. consumers through 13,000 retail outlets and supplies more than four billion gallons of fuel annually to fleets, industrial users, auto and truck manufacturers, railroads and utilities. BP is the single, global brand formed by the combination of the former British Petroleum, Amoco Corporation, Atlantic Richfield (ARCO) and Burmah Castrol. BP is a global producer, manufacturer and marketer of oil, gas, chemicals and renewable energy sources. For more information, please visit www.BP.com.
Advertising