USOC Extends Sponsorship Deal with Anheuser-Busch
ST. LOUIS (March 11, 2004) – Anheuser-Busch, Inc. today announced the company has signed a multiyear agreement with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) extending its Budweiser and Bud Light beer brands as the ‘official beer sponsors’ of the U.S. Olympic Team through 2008.
The sponsorship will give Budweiser, Bud Light and Michelob ULTRA use of the U.S. Olympic five-ring logo in all marketing and advertising activities to support Team USA’s efforts at the XX Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy, in 2006; the XXIX Olympic Games in Beijing, China, in 2008; and the 2005 and 2007 Pan-American Games. The company’s previous agreement as the ‘official beer sponsor’ runs through the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
In addition, Anheuser-Busch will be the exclusive malt-beverage advertiser on all Olympic Games telecasts on NBC and its family of networks through 2008.
‘Anheuser-Busch has been a proud supporter of the USOC since 1984, and we’re thrilled to continue supporting America’s best athletes in their pursuit of winning a gold medal,’ said Tony Ponturo, vice president of global media and sports marketing, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. ‘Throughout history, the Olympic Games have captured some of the most remarkable and memorable moments in sports, and Budweiser and Bud Light are honored to be a part of these events as an official sponsor.’
‘The tremendous partnership our athletes have enjoyed with Anheuser-Busch has been instrumental in our efforts to field the best athletes in the world, while inspiring Americans in their everyday lives,’ said Jim Scherr, chief executive, United States Olympic Committee. ‘We are very fortunate and grateful to have a committed partner like Anheuser-Busch, a company that embodies the Olympic spirit of quality, excellence and determination.’
Budweiser has been an Olympic supporter since 1984 when the brand was the ‘official beer sponsor’ of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Also, Budweiser and Bud Light were the ‘official beer sponsors’ of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in
Salt Lake City.
In addition to the USOC sponsorship, Anheuser-Busch has signed a separate agreement making Budweiser the ‘official beer sponsor’ of the XX Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. This deal marks Anheuser-Busch’s first sponsorship of Olympic Games held outside the United States. The sponsorship will give Budweiser official use of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games marks in Italy and a significant number of other countries.
In addition to the Olympic Games, Anheuser-Busch is the ‘official beer sponsor’ of the National Basketball Association (NBA); Major League Baseball; 27 of the 32 National Football League (NFL) teams; the National Hockey League (NHL); NASCAR and NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.; Major League Soccer and each of its 12 teams; and the PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour and Champions Tour. Budweiser also sponsors a variety of international sports properties including the FIFA World Cupä, the BMW WilliamsF1 Team, the English Premier League and Manchester United.
Anheuser-Busch, Inc. is the world’s largest brewer with 12 domestic breweries and distribution around the world. The company’s portfolio of more than 30 brands includes Budweiser, the world’s best-selling beer; Bud Light, the world’s No. 1 light beer; Michelob; Michelob Light; Michelob ULTRA; Busch; and a variety of specialty beers, imports and non-alcohol brews.
For more details contact:
Cheryl Herbert
USOC Public Relations
t: +1 719 866 4500
e: media@usoc.org