FLW Outdoors announced that it has agreed to a long-term sponsorship with Walmart to become the title sponsor of FLW Outdoors, beginning in 2011. Per FLW Outdoors’ policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
This new partnership will serve as a key component in combining several marketing and promotional opportunities including, but not limited to, Walmart in-store product marketing and promotions, retailtainment at fishing tournaments and at Walmart stores, and advertising and marketing through FLW Outdoors’ worldwide media owned outlets.
Irwin L. Jacobs, Chairman of FLW Outdoors, stated, “Walmart has been an integral part of professional and recreational fishing for many years. We recognize Walmart’s renewed, long-term commitment to FLW Outdoors as a substantial and important confirmation of Walmart’s support for their customers’ passion for the outdoors.”
“Many Walmart customers have a deep commitment to the outdoors. To them, time spent fishing represents ‘living better,'” said Stephen Quinn, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Walmart. “Through this partnership, we see another way to connect with this important segment of our customer base while nurturing additional interest in fishing at all levels, whether professional or recreational.”
Local Walmart stores will be offering in-store family-friendly events, such as fishing simulators, and an expanded assortment of fishing gear for sale. Individual stores will also play supporting roles for FLW tournament events around the country.
Walmart will serve as title sponsor across multiple circuits of FLW Outdoors including the FLW Tour. As part of the sponsorship, Walmart will receive exposure and prominent presence across the multiple platforms of FLW Outdoors, including all bass and walleye events, FLW Outdoors’ multiple websites, FLW Fantasy Fishing, FLW Outdoors Magazine, “FLW Outdoors” television show, broadcast to over 500 million households in 24 countries, and additional marketing functions operated by FLW Outdoors.
Walmart began its sponsorship of FLW Outdoors in 1997 and that commitment served as the first of its kind for the world’s largest retailer and for the sport of bass fishing.
About FLW Outdoors
FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world offering anglers worldwide the opportunity to compete for millions over the course of 189 tournaments in 2010. FLW Outdoors has also taken fishing mainstream with FLW Fantasy Fishing awarding the largest prizes in the history of fantasy sports. FLW Outdoors memberships are available featuring numerous benefits including Player’s Advantage. For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, call (270) 252-1000.
About Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at more than 8,400 retail units under 55 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2010 sales of $405 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million associates worldwide. A leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity, Walmart ranked first among retailers in Fortune magazine’s 2010 Most Admired Companies survey.By: Jeff McCoy, PR dir / FLW Outdoors
