Konica Minolta Expands Sports Marketing Effort by Signing on as Title Sponsor of Gator Bowl Classic
Jacksonville, Fla. and Ramsey, NJ (PRWEB) October 1, 2007 -- Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta (www.kmbs.konicaminolta.us)), a leading provider of imaging and networking technologies has extended its affiliation with premier sporting events in becoming the new title sponsor of the annual Gator Bowl Classic. The agreement extends from the 2008 through the 2010 Gator Bowl Classic. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
A New Look
Unveiled September 29, 2007 during halftime at the River City Showdown featuring Florida State University and the University of Alabama, the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl logo (http://gbalogos.com/) offers a distinctive look and feel. Featuring a goalpost "T" in the word "Gator", the artwork shows the Konica Minolta corporate logo "within the uprights" with the entire logo underlined by a green alligator "spine" - reminiscent of an alligators silhouette on the surface of the water. The color scheme is primarily blue and gold - calling to mind key features of the Jacksonville, Florida (http://www.coj.net/default.htm) landscape - water and sun. The Konica Minolta Gator Bowl logo will be featured in all materials associated with the event.
Worldwide Exposure
The Gator Bowl was the first college bowl game ever to be televised coast-to-coast. With potential team representation from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) (http://www.theacc.com/), the Big 12 Conference (http://www.big12sports.com/sports/m-footbl/big12-m-footbl-body.html), the Big East Conference (http://www.bigeast.org/) and the University of Notre Dame (http://und.cstv.com/), the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl is the only bowl game involved with more than two conferences and has potential viewer "rooting interest" from throughout the United States and worldwide.
Taking place Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium - the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl will be televised on CBS beginning at 1:00 p.m. EST. The Konica Minolta company name and logo will be featured prominently in promotional pre-game, in-game and post-game activities including:
? Pre-game: In the weeks leading up to the game, the new Konica Minolta Gator Bowl logo and promotion of the game will take place on CBS telecasts that include NCAA basketball, nationally broadcast NFL games and the CBS Early Show.
? In-game: Throughout the 4 hour telecast, in addition to Konica Minolta commercials, Konica Minolta's name will appear "on-field" in numerous ways including in the new Konica Minolta Gator Bowl logo (http://gbalogos.com) placed at midfield, video board announcements, field level banners, goal post covers and chain gang vests. Additionally, Konica Minolta will receive numerous mentions throughout the game by the CBS broadcasting crew. Over the last four years, the Gator Bowl Classic has averaged more than 5 million viewers.
? Post-game: At the end of the game, the game's outstanding player will be awarded the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl Most Valuable Player Award.
? On-location: The new logo will be displayed throughout Gator Bowl Classic affiliated university stadiums, featured on street banners throughout Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Sports Complex which accommodates 76,000 fans. The Konica Minolta Gator Bowl logo will be featured in the Game Day program, Media Guide, Game Day Ticket and officially licensed merchandise.
Konica Minolta has had tremendous results in reaching key target audiences and building brand awareness through their sports marketing program, which includes sponsorship of CBS Sports' popular bizhub SwingVision feature during their PGA Tour coverage, and NCAA basketball and lacrosse. With the agreement with the Gator Bowl Association, Konica Minolta will achieve even greater brand recognition.
"As a leading international organization, it's important to be associated with the pedigree and history of events such as the Gator Bowl," said Kevin Kern, vice president of product planning and marketing, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. "Our sports marketing initiatives have proven to be very effective in building brand awareness and we're looking to take that to a higher level."
"Our goal in partnering with a new sponsor was to associate ourselves with a distinguished international company, while maintaining the characteristics that make the Gator Bowl unique," said Rick Catlett, president of the Gator Bowl Association. "They've brought an exciting new partnership to the association, while respecting the history and tradition of the event."
About Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. Inc. (www.kmbs.konicaminolta.us), a leader in advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, brings together unparalleled advances in security, print quality and network integration via its award-winning line of bizhubTM multifunction products (MFPs); bizhub PROTM production printing systems; magicolor® desktop color laser printers and all-in-ones; and pageproTM monochrome desktop laser printers and all-in-ones. Konica Minolta also offers advanced software solutions, wide-format printers, microform digital imaging systems, faxes, and scanning systems for specialized applications.
Headquartered in Ramsey, NJ, Konica Minolta delivers expert professional services and client support through an extensive network of direct sales offices, authorized dealers, resellers and distribution partners in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and South America.
About The Gator Bowl Classic
The Gator Bowl Classic, the 6th oldest Bowl in the country, was first played on January 1, 1946 pitting South Carolina against Wake Forest. For over 60 years, the Gator Bowl has showcased 4 Heisman Trophy winners and more than 180 first team All-Americans. A few of the great legends who are part of the Gator Bowl mystique include coaches and players like Dan Marino, Archie Manning (and son, Peyton), Paul "Bear" Bryant, "Papa" Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden.
The Gator Bowl Association is a 501(c) 3 not-for profit organization whose mission is to provide Northeast Florida with the very best in college athletics and related activities in order to maximize positive impact on the area's economy, national image and community pride. Its primary charitable activities are focused on education and youth in the North Florida area.
The 2008 Konica Minolta Gator Bowl marks the 63rd game for the Gator Bowl Classic. The matchup will showcase a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference to play against a team from the Big 12 Conference, the Big East Conference or Notre Dame.
To obtain the official Konica Minolta Gator Bowl logo, please visit www.gbalogos.com.
Konica Minolta Corporate Contact:
James Norberto
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.
+1 201.825.4000
jnorberto @ kmbs.konicaminolta.us
Gator Bowl Association Contact:
Cheri O'Neill
Gator Bowl Association
+1 904.798.1700
cheri @ gatorbowl.com
Konica Minolta is a trademark of Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. bizhub is a trademark of Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.
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