Big happenings at the Forrest Wood Cup tonight: Irwin Jacobs (right) and Walmart senior VP Michael Moore (left) announced that Walmart is back with FLW Outdoors "bigger and better than ever."
Walmart, the longtime title sponsor of FLW Outdoors and foundation block for the league's explosive growth over the previous decade, had not renewed its sponsorship for the 2010 season, which led to speculation about the short-term health of the league.
In making the announcement, Jacobs said onstage: "I'm so proud I can't begin to tell you: Walmart is back. Not only are they back, but they're back bigger and better than ever before, and the commitment they've made to this organization and their customers throughout America is as unique as anything that's ever happened in this sport. I'll say that fishing has a future like never before. The commitment with Walmart is bigger than anything we've ever done before."
Moore then noted: "When we look at this partnership, it's a long-term commitment. It's exciting for me to be here today. (We're going) to make sure FLW Outdoors comes to life when you walk into a Walmart store – not just in sporting goods, but across the store. This is a big deal. Irwin, it's great to be back. I'm glad we're here. This partnership is going to be a big deal for us, and I hope our customers really enjoy it."
Jacobs added: "The sponsors that are coming back to us is a commitment on behalf of Walmart. They're bringing their vendor groups back bigger and better than before. The anglers are going to have sponsors again. The boats are going to be wrapped again. It's going to be a great deal."
According to FLW Outdoors officials, Jacobs will make another major announcement at tomorrow's weigh-in.
Following is the full text of the FLW Outdoors press release announcing the news. It is reprinted verbatim.
Press Release
FLW Outdoors announced that it has agreed to a long-term sponsorship with Walmart to become the title sponsor of FLW Outdoors, beginning in 2011. Per FLW Outdoors’ policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
This new partnership will serve as a key component in combining several marketing and promotional opportunities including, but not limited to, Walmart in-store product marketing and promotions, retailtainment at fishing tournaments and at Walmart stores, and advertising and marketing through FLW Outdoors’ worldwide media owned outlets.
Irwin L. Jacobs, Chairman of FLW Outdoors, stated, “Walmart has been an integral part of professional and recreational fishing for many years. We recognize Walmart’s renewed, long-term commitment to FLW Outdoors as a substantial and important confirmation of Walmart’s support for their customers’ passion for the outdoors.”
Irwin L. Jacobs, Chairman of FLW Outdoors (right), is joined onstage at the Forrest Wood Cup by Walmart executives to jointly announce the breaking news that Walmart is once again returning as a title sponsor of FLW Outdoors.“Many Walmart customers have a deep commitment to the outdoors. To them, time spent fishing represents ‘living better,’” said Stephen Quinn, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Walmart. “Through this partnership, we see another way to connect with this important segment of our customer base while nurturing additional interest in fishing at all levels, whether professional or recreational.”
Local Walmart stores will be offering in-store family-friendly events, such as fishing simulators, and an expanded assortment of fishing gear for sale. Individual stores will also play supporting roles for FLW tournament events around the country.
Walmart will serve as title sponsor across multiple circuits of FLW Outdoors including the FLW Tour. As part of the sponsorship, Walmart will receive exposure and prominent presence across the multiple platforms of FLW Outdoors, including all bass and walleye events, FLW Outdoors’ multiple websites, FLW Fantasy Fishing, FLW Outdoors Magazine, “FLW Outdoors” television show, broadcast to over 500 million households in 24 countries, and additional marketing functions operated by FLW Outdoors.
Walmart began its sponsorship of FLW Outdoors in 1997 and that commitment served as the first of its kind for the world’s largest retailer and for the sport of bass fishing.
