Australia's most popular cycling event, the Tour Down Under, will have a new naming rights sponsor next year, as Australian Major Events heralds a new era for the event.
Jacob's Creek - the current naming rights sponsor - has ended its naming rights sponsorship with the race in 2006 and Australian Major Events is starting early to find the right "fit" for Tour Down Under sponsorship. However, Jacob's Creek will retain an involvement with the event as the official wine supplier.
South Australian Tourism Commission's Chief Executive, Bill Spurr, said the Tour Down Under was one of the state's most important and popular events. "The Tour Down Under has put South Australia on the map around the world, particularly in Europe, and the event can only continue to grow," he said, adding that the event offered a worldwide audience for potential sponsors, and with the plans for the Tour Down Under to work towards being part of the Pro Tour competition the opportunities in the next few years would be even greater.
Stephen Couche, Managing Director at Orlando Wines agreed. "We have enjoyed a tremendous eight years with the Tour Down Under and it has been a hard business decision to make as a result of a change of focus within our organisation - it is time to move on from this major role whilst still maintaining a presence," he said. "This is a wonderful event for potential sponsors particularly given its international audiences."
To date, the 2006 event has generated more than $19M in editorial media coverage, with 15 hours of broadcast media nationally and 60 hours expected internationally.
"The Tour Down Under has an international audience of millions, as well as attendance figures at the event of 435,000 at the 2006 event," Spurr continued. "Sponsorship involvement in the Tour Down Under will offer huge opportunities in the next few years, with crowd number and audience figures anticipated to climb."
Spurr said the timing was right to look forward and capitalise on the event's popularity and Australian Major Events was looking forward to the next era with a new sponsor.
For interest in sponsorship contact:
Simon Romaniuk
Sponsorship Development Manager, Australian Major Events
Tel: 08 8463 4713
Mob: 0415 890 999
Email: romanuik.simon@saugov.sa.gov.au
