15 April 2004
Gerrard Limited, one of the UK’s leading private client wealth managers, has appointed Revolution Sports Marketing to manage and co-ordinate its horseracing sponsorships as part of its national sponsorship and marketing programme.
Initial Gerrard race sponsorships include a National Hunt raceday at Fontwell Park on 26 May 2004 and two Flat racedays at Pontefract Racecourse on 28 June 2004 and at Chester Racecourse on 19 August 2004.
Each sponsorship has been developed with creative marketing and new business opportunities designed to help capitalise on the strong fit between racing’s target audience and Gerrard’s client base.
Charles Ferry, Head of Gerrard’s Sports, Media & Entertainment Division, said: “We are delighted to be working with Revolution Sports Marketing having previously worked with its Managing Director, Merrick Haydon. The agency brings a wealth of experience in event management and in the ability to help maximise our brand and corporate profile.”
Revolution Sports Marketing Ltd: +44 (0)1903 883747
merrick@revolutionsports.co.uk
14 April, 2004
An innovative new football-themed raceday called Football Furlong will take place at Haydock Park Racecourse on Sunday 11 July 2004, sponsored by leading bookmaker Paddy Power plc.
Paddy Power Football Furlong is a new concept featuring six races with jockeys racing in the shirt colours of Premiership football clubs. The results of each race will be compiled into a league points system culminating over the six races with the winning ‘club’ receiving the perpetual Paddy Power Football Furlong Trophy. The event will raise funds for the NSPCC’s Full Stop Campaign.
At the recent launch on 30 March 2004 at Chelsea FC, it was announced that Paddy Power plc, will be the title sponsor of the event for the next three years. The relationship between racing and football has a long established history with past and present players including Michael Owen, Alan Shearer, Lee Clark, Steve McManaman, Robbie Fowler and Kevin Keegan all owning racehorses.
Merrick Haydon, the creator and driving force behind the concept of Football Furlong, said: “Paddy Power Football Furlong is an event that taps into the huge dual interest and synergy that exists between horseracing and football. It has been developed over the past two years with the help of Sir Alex Ferguson to combine both sports and produce a fun day’s racing during the Premiership off-season.”
He continued, “I am especially pleased to have Paddy Power’s support – we deliberately targeted Paddy Power for their renowned consumer focus, and firmly believe the event will be an even greater success with their involvement.”
John O’Reilly, Chief Executive of Paddy Power plc said, “Paddy Power Football Furlong is a great new initiative in racing and we are delighted to be supporting such an event whose innovative approach allows us to demonstrate our unique, dynamic and punter-friendly approach to betting.”
Paddy Power Football Furlong has joined forces with the NSPCC in a three-year partnership that hopes to raise over £50,000 for the Full Stop Campaign. Already well established in the football and racing worlds, the NSPCC will be undertaking a range of fundraising activities including auctioning off the special shirt colours worn by the jockeys on the day.
As well as a great day’s racing, Paddy Power Football Furlong will feature a range of ‘off course’ attractions that will keep the whole family entertained. These will include the opportunity to have your picture taken with the FA Cup, autograph sessions with players, mini football matches and much more. In addition, within the Football Furlong Village, the National Football Museum and the National Horseracing Museum will be exhibiting memorabilia from the football and racing worlds. Liverpool’s leading radio station and official media partner to Paddy Power Football Furlong, Radio City 96.7 FM, will also be broadcasting live from the event.
Revolution Sports Marketing Group: 07770 647 662
