MINNEAPOLIS – FLW Outdoors announced Tuesday that Banana Boat has renewed its sponsorship as the official sun-care brand of FLW Outdoors’ popular bass- and walleye-fishing tournament trails. Banana Boat, a leader in the sun-care industry, will be a prominent fixture on all six FLW Outdoors tournament circuits.
Banana Boat has been a part of the FLW Outdoors sponsorship team since 2003. Since that time, the premier sponsor has seen FLW Outdoors’ tournament trails grow in both field sizes and purse sizes to capture the attention of the more than 52 million anglers in America today. Anyone who is heading outdoors to enjoy time on the water should always be prepared with protection from the sun, which is what Banana Boat offers.
“Banana Boat’s products offer vital protection from the sun’s harmful rays and prevent the development of dangerous skin melanoma to allow enjoyment outdoors, all day long,” said, Mike Senn, marketing director for Banana Boat. “We have gained the perfect opportunity through our sponsorship of FLW Outdoors to directly inform the vast number of anglers, their families and supporters of a safe way to enjoy a full 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 sport whose participants are particularly vulnerable to sun damage and sunburn due to the strong reflective properties of the water.”
As part of its FLW Outdoors sponsorship, Banana Boat promotes sun care awareness through its professional angling team. Team Banana Boat includes professional angler Kevin Vida of Clare, Mich., who can be seen on the Wal-Mart FLW Tour and EverStart Series tournament circuits in a NASCAR-style Ranger boat bearing the Banana Boat logo. A matching 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 on the Outdoor Life Network, which is broadcast to 65 million subscribers. Banana Boat also benefits from prominent advertisements and news features in FLW Outdoors Magazine and at FLWOutdoors.com. Further publicity opportunities at FLW Outdoors include sponsor-specific product displays in the Family Fun Zone, signage at tournaments, angler-award programs, and other promotional and public-relations materials.
“The safety of anglers, pro and recreational alike, is important to FLW Outdoors. With anglers on the water from sunrise to sunset it was essential for FLW Outdoors to partner with Banana Boat to help educate anglers, their families and friends about the dangers associated with exposure to the sun,” said Bill Petrowiak, vice president of marketing and communications for FLW Outdoors. “Banana Boat has done an excellent job over the last year getting the sun care message out. We are very proud to be associated with a company of Banana Boat’s reputation and look forward to expanding our educational efforts.”
FLW Outdoors is the world’s leading marketer of competitive fishing. It administers the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, the world’s most lucrative bass-tournament series; the EverStart Series, the pathway to the Wal-Mart FLW Tour; and the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League for weekend anglers. FLW Outdoors also operates the Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail; the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Tour, the world’s most lucrative walleye-tournament series; and the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye League for weekend anglers.
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. For more information about Banana Boat and its products, please visit BananaBoat.com.
Wal-Mart and many of America’s most respected companies support FLW Outdoors and its tournament trails. Wal-Mart has been the title sponsor of FLW Outdoors since 1997. For a complete list of FLW Outdoors sponsors and for more information about the premier products and services they offer, please visit FLWOutdoors.com’s sponsor page.
For more information about FLW Outdoors tournaments, browse this Web site or call (270) 252-1000.