Competitor Group, Inc., (CGI) and Brooks Sports, Inc. announced a multi-year, multi-category sponsorship renewal. Brooks will continue as the official footwear and apparel partner of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series.
“We are proud to extend our successful partnership with Brooks, who owns the No. 1 market share position in specialty running,” said Scott Dickey, President of CGI. “We see this renewal as a great sign of the confidence that Brooks has not only in the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series, but in the entire Competitor Group platform and the continued growth we see in running. We look forward to working together with Brooks to extend the reach of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series and help increase exposure of the Brooks brand.”
In addition to their exclusive rights as the official footwear and apparel sponsor of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series, Brooks' sister brand, Moving Comfort, remains as the official sports bra for the series. Also a leader at specialty running, Moving Comfort owns the No. 1 position in the sports bra category.
The partnership between two of the running industry's most well-respected and recognized names has been successful, and featured the launch of the Brooks' Run Happy Cavalcade of Curiosities, a running-inspired carnival experience touring the country since 2010.
“Partnering with Rock 'n' Roll over the last two years has given us a great opportunity to share the Brooks brand and our 'Run Happy' philosophy with thousands of avid runners,” said Dave Larson, Brooks Vice President of Marketing. “We are excited to extend our contract with Competitor and look forward to enhancing the race weekend experience for more runners as the series continues to expand and grow.”
Over 450,000 professional and amateur athletes from all over the world will participate in a Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series event in 2012, which has expanded to twenty-four markets in North America. The renewed agreement underlines the running brand's position and will help Brooks reach new audiences and expand awareness of their performance running footwear and apparel, including PureProject, the brand's new lightweight footwear collection. Brooks will participate in a number of marketing activities, including a growing presence in social media.
The series of marathons and half marathons are known for placing entertainment stages along every mile of the course, lining the route with hundreds of local cheerleaders and then topping the experience off with a finish line concert celebration for all participants. The musically-themed races have spearheaded an active lifestyle movement that provides a unique entertainment outlet for people from all walks of life.
The events have become a fundraising powerhouse for charities who have developed endurance-training programs, such as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Susan G. Komen for the Cure® who have combined to raise in excess of $266 million (net) through the series since 1998.
For more information, please visit Competitor.com.
