Vodafone has renewed its naming rights sponsorship deal with the Vodafone Warriors until 2018, taking the partnership, which started in 1999, to 20 years and making it the longest of its kind in New Zealand.
“Every year our partnership with the Vodafone Warriors has become stronger and more enduring,” said Vodafone New Zealand chief executive Russell Stanners.
And given that Stanners says that the Vodafone Warriors enjoyed “a cumulative New Zealand broadcast audience of more than 3.3 million people in 2013,” it comes as little surprise that the mobile service provider was keen to extend the deal.
Vodafone’s renewal extends throughout the club, including the Vodafone Junior Warriors (under 20s) and the new Vodafone Warriors reserve grade side replacing the Auckland Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup.
“Vodafone’s loyalty in their support of the Vodafone Warriors has been nothing short of world-class,” said Vodafone Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah.
“A 20-season partnership is almost unheard of in the era of professional sport and demonstrates Vodafone’s complete commitment to the Vodafone Warriors, the players and most of all, our fans.”
But Vodafone isn’t the only sponsor that has decided to continue supporting the team.
It has also been announced that the New Zealand Herald has extended its sponsorship deal with the club until the end of the 2016 NRL season.
In a joint announcement, APN NZ chief executive Martin Simons and Vodafone Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said they were excited about continuing a partnership, which began in 2006.
“Renewing our sponsorship is the natural progression for our long and proud relationship with the club,” said Simons. “[And] going forward we are focused on providing our readers with even better access to content and experiences with the team.”
To this end, new Vodafone Warriors international recruit Sam Tomkins has been signed on as a Brand Ambassador for the Herald, adding a new dimension to the relationship.
Tomkins will front the New Zealand Herald’s new marketing campaign showcasing “The Herald gets you closer.”
He will be working with the Herald’s editorial team on exclusive content initiatives in the upcoming months, providing readers with a unique insight into his life as a professional sports person, a newcomer to New Zealand, and as a Vodafone Warrior.
