MINNEAPOLIS – Banana Boat, a leader in the sun-care industry, will remain an FLW Outdoors sponsor for the 2004 season, the company announced Monday. Banana Boat, the official sun-care brand of FLW Outdoors, is a visible sponsor on all six of FLW Outdoors’ lucrative tournament trails.
Banana Boat signed on as one of FLW Outdoors’ premier sponsors for the 2003 season to capture the attention of America’s 55 million anglers. FLW Outdoors has continued to grow professional angling both in field sizes and purse sizes, garnering the attention of loyal fans that turn to sponsor products while shopping.
“Protection from the sun is critical in preventing the development of dangerous skin melanoma and allowing for the full enjoyment of a day outdoors,” said Parker Gilbert, vice president of marketing for Banana Boat. “FLW Outdoors offers us a great opportunity to reach the huge angling community and their families to talk about the responsible way to enjoy a day in the sun. Fishing is a perfect platform to discuss the merits of sun protection since it is not only a fun family outdoor experience, but also a particularly vulnerable sport to sun damage and sunburn due to the strong reflective properties of the water.”
Banana Boat is one of a growing number of FLW Outdoors’ sponsors that use their sponsorship to promote a professional angling team. Team Banana Boat includes professional angler Kevin Vida of Clare, Mich., who can be seen on the tournament circuits in a NASCAR-style Ranger boat bearing the Banana Boat logo. A matching Chevy Trailblazer tow vehicle is also used by FLW Outdoors at each FLW Tour stop.
Through its sponsorship, Banana Boat participates in the Family Fun Zone at all Wal-Mart FLW Tour events, offering free product samples. Banana Boat is also publicized in the wide spectrum of media maintained by FLW Outdoors, including the “FLW Outdoors” television program in which Banana Boat sponsors UV index updates; “FLW Outdoors presented by Wal-Mart” radio programming; FLW Outdoors Magazine advertisements; prominence on FLWOutdoors.com; signage at tournaments; and inclusion in tour promotional and public relations materials.
“Adequate protection from the sun is essential for people spending time outdoors, so sunscreen and fishing go hand in hand,” said Christine Creed, vice president of marketing for FLW Outdoors. “FLW Outdoors is proud to team with a brand as widely recognized and reputable as Banana Boat to inform anglers and their families about the importance of sun protection.”
Banana Boat, a Playtex Products Inc. company, offers a wide variety of products – from sunscreens and tanning lotions to burn-relief gel. Banana Boat is the nation’s second-largest brand name in the sun-care industry. Playtex Products is headquartered in Westport, Conn.