Mercedes becomes global Masters sponsor

Mercedes-Benz has upgraded its corporate involvement at the Masters by becoming one of three global sponsors, allowing the German-based automaker to air television ads during the limited commercial space in domestic telecasts.

Augusta National chairman Billy Payne said Tuesday that Mercedes-Benz will join AT&T and IBM as the tournament's three main sponsors.

Mercedes replaces ExxonMobil, which had been a global sponsor since 2005.

The Masters kept its total sponsorship to five companies - three global sponsors and two international partners. Mercedes had been a partner since 2008 until elevating its sponsorship status. Payne said UPS has signed on as the other partner, joining Rolex.

''The Masters is the most prestigious golf tournament in the world. It is a great honor for Mercedes-Benz to now be associated with the Masters Tournament as one of the three global sponsors,'' said Joachim Schmidt, the company's executive vice president of sales and marketing.
Terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

Unlike other tournaments, sponsors of the Masters do not use logos anywhere on the golf course. Some of the client entertainment takes place in permanent chalets tucked well behind the trees left of the 10th fairway.

The Masters went two years without corporate sponsors during the initial dispute in 2003 over all-male membership. The tournament was commercial-free for two years, with the club picking up the tab for the broadcast fees.

Sponsorship returned in 2005 with AT&T, IBM and ExxonMobil as the main three. The Masters only has four minutes of commercials for every hour.

Last fall, Augusta National accepted its first two female members, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South Carolina financier Darla Moore. Both were at the Masters this month in their green jackets.

''The relationships we form are important to our commitment of continuous improvement, and we sincerely appreciate the longtime assistance and enthusiasm of ExxonMobil for their support,'' Payne said. ''We now look forward to growing our associations with Mercedes-Benz and UPS, two globally recognized brands that also share a passion for the Masters and the tournament's sustained success.''
ExxonMobil did not say why its sponsorship of the Masters ended.

''ExxonMobil has concluded its advertising sponsorship of the Masters tournament after nine successful years,'' spokesman Alan Jeffers said in an email. ''ExxonMobil continually evaluates and modifies our sponsorship and advertising requirements based on business needs.''

Mercedes-Benz has been active in sports sponsorship since the 1980s. It shifted its marketing strategy in recent years, ending its title sponsorship of the season opener in Kapalua and signing deals to become the official car of the PGA Championship and to become an international partner with the Masters.

Adam Scott became the first Australian to win the Masters this year. He already had a sponsorship deal with Mercedes.

Courtesy of: Yahoo! News 

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"Winning the Vincentric Best Fleet Value in America award for the second time in a row for our 3/4 Ton Passenger Van, 3/4 Ton Full Size Cargo Van, and 1 Ton Full Size Cargo Van is confirmation that owning a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter will provide the most compelling real-world cost of ownership to our valued customers," said Claus Tritt, General Manager of Commercial Vans for Mercedes-Benz USA.  "Our growing dealer network, known for providing world-class levels of customer service, also play a significant role in treating our commercial customers fairly and respecting their busy professional schedules during all hours of the day or night."
"Our awards look to provide guidance to all types of fleet buyers, and the fact that we have winners from a variety of manufacturers illustrates the growing competition in the fleet market," stated David Wurster, President of Vincentric.  "By segmenting the awards and analyzing different mileage/lifecycle timeframe scenarios, vehicle buyers have guidance for determining the fleet vehicle that best meets the needs of their organization."

Courtesy of: Mercedes-Benz Newsroom

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The eleven-city tour kicks off in a concept pop-up experience at Santa Monica Place in Los Angeles. This 10-day event takes place from April 19 to April 28 and will include surprise music performances by world-renowned recording artists, complimentary brunches prepared by celebrity chefs Chris Jacobsen and Lee Anne Wong from Bravo's Top Chef, trunk shows by local designers Winnie & Kat and Vokare, and more.  

The smart funtestdrive then rolls on to the following cities then rolls on to the following cities: Portland (May 2-3), San Francisco (May 11-12), San Diego (May 18-19), Dallas (May 25-26), Atlanta (June 1-2), Miami (June 8-9), Washington D.C. (June 15-16), Hoboken (June 22-23), Brooklyn (June 29-30) and Chicago (July 6-7).

Courtesy of: Mercedes-Benz

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