BOSTON, March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America today announced that it has extended and enhanced the company's sponsorship of the Boston Red Sox through 2015. In addition to maintaining the company's designation as the "Official Bank of the Boston Red Sox," the new, eight-year agreement entitles the bank to use the team's marks in all of the bank's affinity credit card advertising and marketing.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050720/CLW086LOGO-b )
"For nearly two decades, Bank of America has been a strong and active partner of the Red Sox," said Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino. "We are very proud to build upon that partnership with this significant extension and new designation, which offers new and exciting ways for us to team up and celebrate Red Sox baseball with customers and fans throughout the region."
Under the agreement that continues through 2015, Bank of America will receive exclusive rights in the affinity card category, in addition to the rights it currently holds in the banking category. It will include the license of intellectual property rights, tickets and in-stadium hospitality, and extensive onsite advertising and tabling opportunities to promote the Red Sox Extra Bases™ rewards program. The rewards program lets card-users earn points redeemable for tickets, autographed memorabilia and merchandise, as well as once-in-a-lifetime Red Sox experiences, including a VIP tour of Fenway Park, a dugout visit prior to a Red Sox game, dinner for two with former Red Sox players and much more.
"Our long and celebrated partnership with the Boston Red Sox just keeps getting stronger," said Bob Gallery, president, Bank of America Massachusetts. "Our customers have a real affinity for Red Sox baseball, and our expanded sponsorship will provide us with greater opportunities to develop programs that deliver them added value and match their passion for the team."
To coincide with the start of the 2007 Boston Red Sox season, Bank of America has installed an enhanced logo for the centerfield sign in time for the team's home opener against Seattle on April 10. The 440 square foot sign will feature the Bank of America's red, white and blue color scheme, raising the bank's visibility as a Fenway Park fixture.
Bank of America's association with the Boston Red Sox dates back to 1989, when it first sponsored the storied franchise. In 2002, a new ownership team purchased the ball club and Bank of America served as sole lead arranger of the acquisition financing. That same year, Bank of America provided a 10-year credit facility, which went directly towards the multi-phase renovation and expansion of Fenway Park, America's most beloved ballpark and one of Boston's most popular destinations.
Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk-management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving more than 55 million consumer and small business relationships with more than 5,700 retail banking offices, through more than 17,000 ATMs and award-winning online banking with more than 21 million active users. Bank of America is the No. 1 overall Small Business Administration (SBA) lender in the United States and the No. 1 SBA lender to minority-owned small businesses. The company serves clients in 175 countries and has relationships with 98 percent of the U.S. Fortune 500 companies and 80 percent of the Global Fortune 500. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
http://www.bankofamerica.com/
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http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050720/CLW086LOGO-bAP Archive:
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SOURCE: Bank of America
CONTACT: Joe Goode of Bank of America, +1-617-434-7314,
joseph.l.goode@bankofamerica.com; or John Blake of Boston Red Sox,
+1-617-226-6676
Web site: http://www.bankofamerica.com/
