Birmingham (Ala.) Coca-Cola Bottling announced a new sponsorship agreement with BASS tour pro Tim Horton. The agreement covers the 2006 Bassmaster Elite Series season. JDC Marketing helped facilitate the deal.
Horton, a former BASS Angler of the Year (2000), said of the new agreement: "I'm looking forward to working with Coca-Cola and some of their new brands such as Vault and Full Throttle. It's very exciting for me to be able to work with the Birmingham Bottling Group as well as JDC Marketing."
He added: "We have some exciting programs planned that will give me the opportunity to go out and meet Coca-Cola's customers and consumers and promote the sport of fishing as well as some of their new products."
Birmingham Coca-Cola marketing director Mike Suco said: "We're extremely excited about partnering with Tim Horton and JDC on this venture. We believe our brands such as Vault and Full Throttle are a perfect fit for the professional tour. Tim is a quality person and top-notch angler and we're honored that he has chosen to partner with us."
> The sponsorship is said to be "associate level" so Horton will not run a Coke wrap this year.
> Byron Velvick is another Coke pro, but his deal, which included a wrap, was with Coca-Cola North America. Velvick will no longer run a Coca-Cola wrap, but is still involved with the company.
> Watch for some type or presence from Coca-Cola at this week's Bassmaster Classic, where the company will promote its new Vault hybrid energy drink.
