The Association of Surfing Professionals are pleased to announce Foster’s Brewing International have come onboard as the official beer sponsor of the men’s World Championship Tour (WCT).
The three-year deal will see Fosters host expression sessions at every event as of now, with footage incorporated into each WCT program produced and distributed by Trans World International (TWI).
Foster’s long-standing relationship with professional surfing around the world has now reached a new plateau by their category sponsorship. The Foster’s Expression Sessions will be an exciting addition to each men’s
WCT, with judging criteria varying at locations depending on the nature of waves. Anything from progressive aerial surfing to classic tube riding will be rewarded.
ASP President/CEO Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew emphasized Foster’s recent success as naming rights sponsors of the US domestic tour, and asserted their increased involvement on an international level would continue to benefit all parties concerned.
‘ASP are delighted to see Foster’s further expand their association with the sport,’ said Bartholomew. ‘They’ve done a great job promoting the North merican circuit and it’s great to be associated with such a well known
international brand. The Foster’s expression sessions will be a fun element of the tour.’
Foster’s Brewing International Managing Director, Richard Scully said: ‘The partnership between Foster’s and the ASP is a natural fit. The WCT is the pinnacle of professional surfing, and Foster’s is one of the world’s most popular premium beers. The Australian beach lifestyle and coastal
heritage, and ‘no worries, fun in the sun’ attitude is the heart of our brand identity around the world.
‘Foster’s has been part of surfing worldwide for a number of years, involved in events in Australia and Europe, as well as being title sponsor of the North American tour. We are really excited at the prospect of raising
our involvement to a new level as the Beer of the Men’s World Championship Tour.
We also hope that the Foster’s Expression Session component of each world event will add to the excitement and spectacle of the world tour.’
World Number 4 Taj Burrow (Aus), one of the best exponents of futuristic surfing highlighted in expression sessions, welcomed the additional opportunity to perform.
‘I’m psyched on any expression sessions being held,’ exclaimed Burrow. ‘They’re pretty much my favorite part of the events and usually the most exciting for the crowds. There are so many great surfers on tour and these let us all get loose and do some crazy manoeuvres. It’s cool Foster’s are involved.’
Martin Jolly, Managing Director, IMG and TWI, commercial partners and global television producers and distributors to the ASP’s WCT: ‘We’re delighted that Foster’s has selected surfing as the sport to further enhance their global branding and positioning along with Formula One Motorsport. For Foster’s to choose surfing reaffirms IMG’s belief in the future growth of this sport on a global scale and the commercial value of the association. IMG has a 10-year arrangement with the ASP and our plan is to secure a
number of strategic commercial partners to join Foster’s in developing the worldwide tour and taking it to a new level. It is particularly pleasing that the first deal for the global tour has been finalized out of Australia given that Foster’s and surfing are intrinsically linked to Australian
culture.’
For more deatils contact:
Jesse Faen Joanne Eyre, ASP Int’l Media Manager
(t) +61 39633 2420
(m) +61 40718 9289
(e) jesse@aspworldtour.com