Franklin Sports, the Official Batting Glove of Major League Baseball, announced a multi-year agreement with the Boston Red Sox and Red Sox Foundation as a key component of the company’s most recent marketing initiatives.
The deal comes as Franklin Sports launches its #FranklinFamily campaign, which positions its impressive roster of over 200 Major League Baseball athletes as the brand’s ‘Franklin Family Members.’ The Red Sox have five members on their roster in Xander Bogaerts, Hanley Ramirez, Dustin Pedroia, Mitch Moreland and Brock Holt. The deal points range across multiple platforms including television, in-stadium assets, co-branded marketing promotions, social media collaborations, equipment donations and annual sweepstakes with both the Red Sox fanbase and Red Sox Kid Nation members.
“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with the Boston Red Sox and Red Sox Foundation as the 2018 season begins,” said Adam Franklin, vice president of Franklin Sports. “For over 30 years, we have been the Official Batting Glove of Major League Baseball, and this partnership represents our first activation at the individual club level. This new media exposure is an exciting opportunity that we are confident will expand the reach of our #FranklinFamily campaign and help build on our relationship with the community.”
Assets also include a retail component, as Franklin Sports will drive traffic to local retail stores by leveraging Red Sox Franklin Family members to support marketing efforts in New England. This collaboration will supplement the campaign by encouraging ball players of all ages to “Join The Fam” in wearing Franklin batting gloves and posting on social media under the hashtag #FranklinFamily. Advertising will run for the entire 2018 season on NESN broadcasts, further leveraging the partnership with the Red Sox.
“Franklin has long been a supporter of the Red Sox Foundation’s philanthropic efforts, and we are pleased to now extend that partnership to the Red Sox,” said Red Sox Executive Vice President Troup Parkinson. “We couldn’t think of a more natural partner–a local company with ties to MLB and a commitment to the New England community. We are proud to now be part of the ‘FranklinFamily’ at Fenway Park.”
The relationship now positions Franklin Sports as the Official Batting Glove of the Red Sox and Red Sox Foundation’s RBI Program. Franklin Sports will also provide the RBI Program with baseball and softball equipment in the company’s ongoing efforts to grow participation and develop fans of the game.
“On behalf of the entire Red Sox Foundation, we are thrilled to build upon our longstanding partnership with Franklin Sports,” said Red Sox Foundation Executive Director Rebekah Salwasser. “Their commitment to our community programs, and to youth baseball and softball in particular, is exemplary of a true philanthropic leader. Our RBI program has continued to flourish with their support of equipment for over 700 youth players–which is incredible. We are very excited for the next three years of partnership with Franklin!”
Franklin Sports was started by Irving Franklin in 1946, and is currently run by president Larry Franklin and vice president Adam Franklin. Over the years, Franklin Sports has maintained strong relationships with professional athletes and leagues such as Major League Baseball, National Hockey League, National Football League and Major League Soccer.
