Bud Light Renews Official Beer Sponsorship of Ultimate Fighting Championship®
Renewed Agreement Expands Focus on Fans, Beginning with September 'Battle on the Bayou'
ST. LOUIS, April 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Bud Light and Ultimate Fighting Championship® announced today a multi-year renewal of Bud Light's official beer sponsorship of the UFC®, keeping the world's best-selling beer in the center of the Octagon®.
Bud Light's sponsorship renewal with Zuffa, LLC, owner of the UFC brand, will continue to immerse the beer into all areas of the world's premier mixed martial arts organization. The sponsorship will increase the number of featured Pay-Per-Views (PPV) Bud Light is a presenting sponsor of from two to four annually, and the brand will remain a featured sponsor of all additional PPV and television broadcasts. Additionally, Bud Light and UFC will work together to present one special promotional event per year, beginning in 2011 with a live event in New Orleans airing on Spike TV Saturday, Sept. 17.
Bud Light is extending the New Orleans event beyond the fight night with the "Battle on the Bayou" national sweepstakes*, a three-day, two-night UFC fan experience in the Big Easy – complete with weigh-ins downtown, an exclusive concert and meet-and-greets with UFC personalities. Beginning May 2, fans 21 and older can enter to a win a trip for two to the "Battle on the Bayou" online at www.Facebook.com/BudLight or through UFC-branded Snap Tags on Bud Light point-of-sale materials.
"Bud Light's first three years with the UFC have focused largely on growing awareness and viewership of the sport at bars, restaurants and all the other places Bud Light is sold across the country," said Mark Wright, vice president of media, sports & entertainment marketing, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. "Having brought the UFC to more people, we want to start bringing more people to the UFC by creating exclusive fan experiences only Bud Light and the UFC can deliver. 'Battle on the Bayou' is a first and unprecedented step in that direction."
"Bud Light's sponsorship deal with us a few years ago was a milestone for our organization and the sport," said Dana White, UFC President. "We couldn't be more excited about working with Bud Light and continuing our strong relationship."
As part of the renewal, Bud Light will continue to receive logo placement throughout all UFC events, including in the Octagon, round cards, press conferences, weigh-ins and locker rooms. The sponsorship also allows for integration with the UFC's digital assets – including UFC.com and UFC's Facebook and YouTube pages. Bud Light will also release a limited edition UFC aluminum bottle, the first Bud Light bottle to bear the UFC logo.