Hertz New Zealand has signed a two-year agreement to become the naming rights sponsor of the prestigious New Zealand International Sevens Tournament, effective from 2012.
The inaugural Hertz Sevens event, which is already sold out, will be held at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium on the weekend of 3-4 February 2012. It is part of the annual HSBC Sevens World Series, which has become so popular that rugby sevens has now been accepted as an official Olympic sport, and will debut at the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“We love our rugby in New Zealand, and the New Zealand International Sevens is a major annual event on the national sports calendar, featuring teams from 16 countries, attracting 35,000 fans to games and generating a massive television viewing audience in New Zealand and internationally,” said Mark Righton, Hertz New Zealand Country Manager.
“We’re delighted to have secured naming rights for the New Zealand International Sevens Tournament in 2012 and 2013, not only because of the event’s popularity in New Zealand but because rugby sevens worldwide is about to be elevated to the status of an Olympic sport,” Mr Righton said. “For Hertz this sponsorship opportunity is ideal, not just to increase awareness of our brand but to introduce New Zealanders to Horatio, our new global mascot and brand ambassador.”
To help build awareness of both the Hertz Sevens and Horatio, Hertz New Zealand has established a Horatio Facebook site at www.facebook.com/horatioNewZealand , and is offering rugby fans the opportunity to win four tickets to the 2012 Wellington event.
“These tickets are in such hot demand that the public allocation was sold within minutes of being offered,” Mr Righton said. “To be eligible to win these four, much sought-after tickets, fans simply need to visit the Facebook page and “like” Horatio.”
Hertz Sevens General Manager, Steve Walters was delighted with the partnership and looks forward to the two-year arrangement. “Hertz is a global brand and rugby sevens is too. Our tournament is one of nine stages of the HSBC Sevens World Series which continues to grow both in competitiveness and popularity.”
“We are excited to have Hertz on board with us and we look forward to working together to continue the success of rugby sevens both in New Zealand and internationally.”
Hertz is the largest worldwide airport general use car rental brand, operating from approximately 8,500 locations in 146 countries, including 40 locations in New Zealand. For more information about Hertz, visit www.hertz.co.nz in New Zealand.
