Competitor Group Inc (CGI), the leading active lifestyle sports media and event company, and the Life & Protection Division of Transamerica (Transamerica) have confirmed a new sponsorship agreement that spans a number of CGI event properties.
Under the new deal, Transamerica has become the official life and protection insurance partner for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, Women’s Running Series and the TriRock Triathlon Series presented by REI.
The three-year deal with CGI represents Transamerica’s commitment to the active lifestyle market. The sponsorship kicked off on 18 January in Phoenix, Arizona, at the 10th annual P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & Half Marathon.
“We are delighted to see Transamerica join our growing team of partners,” said Scott Dickey, CEO of Competitor Group. “Transamerica’s San Francisco roots make it the ideal title sponsor of our first-ever Transamerica Rock ‘n’ Roll San Francisco Half Marathon in the city this spring. We look forward to providing an integrated platform to reach the growing numbers of affluent participants who are living an active lifestyle.”
In partnership with Project Sport LLC, the inaugural Transamerica Rock ‘n’ Roll San Francisco Half Marathon is set for Sunday 7 April 2013. The partnership deal between Competitor Group and Transamerica sees a rebranding of the US Half Marathon 2 ‘The Other Half’, which has run across the Golden Gate Bridge each spring since 2010. (Registration for the event is sold out.)
“Transamerica is very excited to be associated with an industry-leading company like Competitor Group and their world-class event series and media brands,” said Ed Walker, Chief Strategy Officer for the Life & Protection Division of Transamerica. “We have a strong commitment to providing the endurance community with innovative financial services geared specifically to their active lifestyles.”
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series revolutionized the running industry in 1998 with the launch of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego, which combined entertainment and running in an unprecedented way. Organized by Competitor Group, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series is the ‘World’s Largest Running Series’ with more than 500,000 runners taking part in destination events around the world.
Transamerica will have a significant presence at each of the 26 Rock ‘n’ Roll events in North America, along with the five event Women’s Running Series, and eight triathlon events including the marquee Nation’s Triathlon in Washington DC. (The Nation’s Tri was acquired by Competitor Group in February 2012.)
In true Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon fashion, the sold-out San Francisco event will feature entertainment positioned along the course, interspersed with themed water and cheer stations. Headlining the post-race experience will be a finish line festival with live music in celebration of each runner’s accomplishment.
The San Francisco event weekend will kick off with a two-day Health & Fitness Expo at the Moscone Convention Center on Friday 5 April and Saturday 6 April. The free expo will be open to the public and will feature the latest health and nutrition information with a variety of products for sample and sale, as well as a series of interactive fitness clinics.
www.competitorgroup.com
www.RunRocknRoll.com
www.transamerica.com
