The BMW Group, one of the world’s premier automotive companies has agreed to a three-year partnership with the Sony Ericsson Open making them the tournament’s official car sponsor through 2013.
Financial terms were not disclosed but the deal comes on the heels of the March 2010 tournament where the Sony Ericsson Open saw unprecedented growth and exposure throughout the world.
“The Sony Ericsson Open is proud to add premium brands like BMW and MINI to our list of tournament partners. We are the most glamorous event on the ATP and WTA tours with an international following, and it was attractive to the BMW Group to reach these consumers,” said Sony Ericsson Open Tournament Director Adam Barrett. “BMW’s high quality standards and commitment to excellence make them a perfect fit for our event.”
A record 310,000 guests attended the tournament in 2010 including a media contingent of over 500 from 36 countries. In addition, the tournament received a record 63 hours of domestic television coverage and recorded over 3,400 hours of television coverage globally on other networks.
As part of the agreement, the Southern Region’s BMW NA and MINI USA based in Atlanta, GA will be the official car sponsors of the event, and will receive signage in-stadium and on the tournament grounds, as well as tournament hospitality including a stadium suite for the duration of the tournament.
During the two weeks of the tournament top players will be able to drive new BMWs around South Florida, including the all-new 5 Series Sedan, 5 Series Gran Turismo and the X5 Advanced Diesel and X6 SAV among many other featured models including the all-new MINI Countryman.
“As the BMW Group, we are proud to be part of one of the premier tennis events in the country. We have a long-standing relationship with the sport of tennis in the South,” said Mark Rogers, Regional Business Manager, MINI USA Southern Region.
“Our partnership with the Sony Ericsson Open reflects our belief in the alignment of our brands with the performance, excitement and grace of the sport of tennis,” commented Hennie Chung, Regional Marketing Manager, BMW NA Southern Region.
The 2011 Sony Ericsson Open will be played March 21-April 3 at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park.
Year-in and year-out the Sony Ericsson Open offers the best that Miami has to offer including an unbeatable atmosphere, high fashion, fine food, fabulous shopping, celebrity musical performances, and of course the best tennis in the world.
Every spring a “Grand Slam” quality player field descends on the Crandon Park Tennis Center to battle for one of the most prestigious titles in tennis including Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova and Kim Clijsters.
But the Sony Ericsson Open is more than just tennis, it is a complete entertainment experience and the place to be seen in Miami. Whether it is Kim Kardashian doing the coin toss prior to Roger Federer’s match, Shakira cheering on Rafael Nadal from the stands, or Dwyane Wade playing hoops with Andy Roddick on one of the practice courts, you never know who you may bump into on the tournament grounds.
Ticket packages for the 2011 Sony Ericsson Open are on sale now and start at just $82. Contact the Sony Ericsson Open ticket office at (305) 442-3367 or go to www.sonyericssonopen.com to secure your tickets today.
Topics: Atp, Bmw Group, Car Sponsors, Commitment To Excellence, Domestic Television, Featured Models, Gran Turismo, Mark Rogers, Mini Countryman, New Bmws, Perfect Fit, Premium Brands, Quality Standards, Regional Business Manager, Sony Ericsson Open, Television Coverage, Tennis Events, Tournament Director, Unprecedented Growth, Wta Tours