Farmers Insurance Commits to 2011 Tournament

Written by: Staff on 18th May 2011

Farmers Insurance Commits to 2011 Tournament

epa02730509 Britain's Andy Murray returns to Germany's Florian Mayer during their match for the Italian Open tennis tournament at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, 13 May 2010. EPA/CLAUDIO ONORATI |

The 2011 Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz, will be held July 25-31 at the Los Angeles Tennis Center on the campus of UCLA.

Farmers Insurance and the Farmers Classic share more than just a name. Both have deep roots in Southern California, with the company celebrating its 83rd birthday this year while the tournament is in its 85th year, making it the longest running professional sporting event in LA.

The company and tournament also share firm commitments to the community through various charitable efforts. In 2010, the Farmers Classic raised more than $500,000 through the tournament and other special events for several charities, including the tournament beneficiary, the Southern California Tennis Association.

Farmers Insurance is proud to “Serve Communities” in Los Angeles and across the United States. Farmers’ is committed to improving the communities where our customers, agents and employees live and work. Farmers provides vital funding to 100 programs in Los Angeles area and 1,000 programs nationwide adding up to more than $8 million dollars annually. Giving back is part of Farmers business philosophy, and has been for 83 years.

“For us giving back is not just a corporate motto, it’s a way of life for all of us at Farmers,” said Chuck Browning, Vice President of Community Branding for Farmers Insurance. “To borrow a tennis term, combining charity and world class tennis brings ‘top spin’ to some worthy causes.”

The tennis tournament is just one of Farmers’ sports sponsorships. Earlier this year, Farmers announced a landmark naming rights deal for “Farmers Field,” a proposed NFL stadium in downtown LA. The company also sponsors the PGA’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, has its logo on the uniform of the WNBA Los Angeles Sparks, will sponsor Mark Martin for five NASCAR Sprint Cup races this year, and partners with 17 state high school athletic associations nationwide.

“Farmers has become a very important player in the sport sponsorship business,” said David Simon, President of the Los Angeles Sports Council. “They are engaging in the marketplace at a time when many other businesses are shying away from it. That commitment is very apparent in their home base of Los Angeles, and it shows their interest in keeping LA a vibrant sports city.”

This will also be the second year for Mercedes-Benz to serve as presenting sponsor of the tournament. The 2011 tournament marks the 10th year that Mercedes-Benz has been a major sponsor of the event.

“Mercedes-Benz is thrilled to once again be presenting sponsor of the Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz,” said Jill Martinette, Mercedes-Benz USA Regional Marketing Manager, Western Region. “With some of the leading tennis players in the world competing on UCLA’s unique and invigorating campus, it’s proven to be an ideal place to showcase our innovative luxury automobile line. After nearly a decade of support, we’re looking forward to another great week at UCLA this summer.”

“This successful and charitable fundraising event would not be possible without tremendous support from Farmers Insurance, Mercedes-Benz and all our sponsors and partners,” said tournament director Bob Kramer. “We’re very proud of our history of giving back to the community through our event. It definitely makes a difference when you share that priority with your closest partners.”

The singles final of the 2010 Farmers Classic presented by Mercedes-Benz featured two Top 20 players as Santa Monica’s Sam Querrey won his second straight title by defeating three-time Grand Slam finalist Andy Murray. In doubles, Camarillo natives Bob and Mike Bryan won their record sixth Los Angeles title and record-breaking 60th championship on Tour.

Season tickets and mini-plan tickets for the 85th annual Farmers Classic presented by Mercedes-Benz are on sale now. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.FarmersClassic.com/Tickets or call (310) 824 -1010 ext. 251.