Sebago sponsors World Match Tour

by Sean McNeill on 8 Mar 2006 Footwear manufacturer Sebago, a division of Wolverine World Wide (Rockford, Mich.), has renewed its agreement with the World Match Racing Tour to be the Official Footwear Supplier of the global professional sailing series.

Sebago joined the World Tour one year ago. Its renewed partnership with the World Tour runs through Dec. 31, 2006.

As part of the agreement Sebago will receive prominent exposure on World Match Racing Tour television programs and at on-site display areas. Sebago also will have use of the World Tour logo when marketing, advertising and promoting Sebago footwear.

'Sebago renewed its sponsorship of the World Tour because of the significant global exposure we received last year,' said Rod Stafford, General Manager for Sebago. 'We believe that we achieved our goal of reinforcing our brand awareness, and look forward to increasing our exposure with new markets this year.'

Sebago footwear is sold in more than 85 countries and is prominent in many of the countries the Tour visits – Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland. Sebago also may display Tour promotional materials at boat shows around the world where Sebago is represented.

'The World Tour is very happy that Sebago will continue as an official sponsor,' said World Tour President Scott MacLeod. 'The World Tour is at the beginning of an important growth phase, and Sebago’s distinction as a premium footwear company will help move it all forward.'

Founded in New England in 1946, Sebago has relied on salt water, sea air and rugged adventure to evolve into a global footwear brand recognized for credible performance and authentic nautical style.

Sebago has three categories of shoes; Classics, representing quintessential American style, Casual Marine, a relaxed alternative to the Classics line, and Performance Marine, for anyone requiring nautical performance.

Sebago has long been a sponsor of sailing and match-racing. In 1984 it was the first U.S. company to sponsor an entry in the OSTAR, from England to the U.S. It was a sponsor of the former Liberty Cup Regatta in New York Harbor in 1986 and ’87. It has since sponsored U.S. America’s Cup syndicates in 1992 and ’95. Sebago has also sponsored the U.S. Sailing Team in the past.

Sebago is one of four sponsors of the World Tour. Global auto manufacturer BMW AG (Munich, Germany) is a Partner and the Official Car of the World Tour. BMW will award a BMW X3 3.0i (valued at $45,000) to the World Tour champion.

Other sponsors include Musto (Essex, England), the clothing supplier to the Tour, and Travel Places (West Sussex, England), the Official Travel Partner.

For more information on the World Match Racing Tour, its competitors and events, please visit the official World Tour Web site, www.WorldMatchRacingTour.com