MINNEAPOLIS – FLW Outdoors announced Thursday that Electrolux Inc., the parent company of Poulan and Weed Eater, will remain a sponsor through 2005 with its contract renewal. Through the sponsorship, the Poulan and Weed Eater brand names will continue to maintain a high profile along FLW Outdoors’ six tournament-fishing trails: the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, the EverStart Series, the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye League, the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Tour and the Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail.
Poulan and Weed Eater – specializing in chainsaws, mowers and various yard-trimming products – began a partnership with professional fishing in 2000 when they joined FLW Outdoors’ sponsorship team. The brand names have recognized the advantages of marketing to a loyal group of more than 52 million Americans who fish.
Poulan and Weed Eater will enhance their sponsorship in 2005 by promoting a professional angling team. Team Poulan-Weed Eater will have one professional angler who can be seen on the water at tournaments in a NASCAR-style Ranger boat bearing the company logos. A matching tow vehicle is also used at each FLW Tour stop.
“Professional tournament fishing continues to grow, and we are proud to remain a part of it,” said Lennie Rhoades, vice president of sales and marketing for Electrolux Home Products. “Our customers are outdoor people who use their chainsaws and mow their lawns, so FLW Outdoors is a great partner for us. We look forward to the continuing relationship with FLW Outdoors, the anglers and the fans.”
As an FLW Outdoors sponsor, Poulan and Weed Eater will be featured in a variety of media formats – most notably the “FLW Outdoors” television program on the Outdoor Life Network, which is broadcast to 65 million subscribers. Sponsors also benefit 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.
Bill Petrowiak, vice president of marketing and communications for FLW Outdoors, said: “FLW Outdoors offers Poulan and Weed Eater a great market of outdoor enthusiasts who seek outdoor activities like those offered by Electrolux brands. We look forward to a continued relationship with Electrolux in promoting professional angling to the masses.”
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 and the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye League.
Electrolux is the world’s largest manufacturer of lawn and garden power equipment and indoor appliances. With 18,000 employees and 14 manufacturing facilities, Electrolux Home Products of North America serves consumers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Its lawn mowers, yard tractors, string trimmers, edgers, chainsaws, refrigerators, cookers, dishwashers, washing machines and freezers lead the way with innovative features and styling.
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 Poulan and Weed Eater, visit Poulan.com or call (800) 554-6723. For more information about FLW Outdoors, browse this Web site or call (270) 252-1000.