MINNEAPOLIS (Sept. 25, 2003) - FLW Outdoors announced Thursday that Castrol will remain the official motor oil of FLW Outdoors' bass and walleye tournament circuits through the 2006 season.
FLW Outdoors' has brought competitive fishing to the forefront of the sports-marketing industry with its premier fishing tournaments and broad range of corporate sponsors. Castrol will continue to sponsor all of FLW Outdoors' tournament trails as it has since joining the sponsorship team in 2002. Through its sponsorship, Castrol has visibility in FLW Outdoors media including the "FLW Outdoors" television program, which is broadcast on the Outdoor Life Network to 65 million subscribers. Castrol's brand names are also publicized in FLW Outdoors Magazine, on FLWOutdoors.com, through signage at tournaments, and via inclusion in tour promotional and public relations materials.
"Our partnership with FLW Outdoors has been very successful and has given us numerous opportunities to reach the 55 million people who fish each year," said Tracy Curtis, customer marketing manager for Castrol. "This year's introduction of our new line of boating lubricants is perfect for all anglers and Wal-Mart customers who insist on Castrol quality when changing their oil."
Castrol sponsors a team of anglers including 2003 FLW Tour Champion David Dudley of Manteo, N.C; Bobby Curtis of Siloam Springs, Ark; and Darrel Robertson of Jay, Okla. Robertson and Dudley are past winners of the lucrative Ranger M1 tournament, having taken home top prizes of $600,000 and $700,000 cash, respectively. Dudley also earned a record $500,000 for his championship win on the James River in Richmond, Va., earlier this month.
Spectators will have the chance to see Team Castrol compete at Wal-Mart FLW Tour events in a NASCAR-like Ranger boat sporting the Castrol-brand logo. Towing the boat will be the brand's matching Chevy Trailblazer.
Castrol has enhanced its sponsorship program by teaming up with other FLW Outdoors sponsors, including BFGoodrich Tires, EverStart Batteries, 7 UP, Snickers and Fujifilm, to host free Wal-Mart FLW Outdoors Fishing and Automotive Clinics. The clinics, which feature professional anglers offering attendees angling and automotive tips, are held in Wal-Mart stores the Sunday preceding FLW Tour events and EverStart Series Northern, Central and Eastern events in each tournament's host city.
"Castrol's commitment to its sponsorship of FLW Outdoors has really allowed Castrol to realize the benefits of being associated with FLW Outdoors," said Christine Creed, vice president of marketing for FLW Outdoors. "Our continuing relationship with quality names like Castrol will help us achieve our ongoing goal to propel professional fishing to the next level."
The success story behind Castrol has its origins in 19th-century England. Castrol, founded in the United Kingdom in 1899, has operated a North American division since 1954. The current American headquarters are located in Wayne, N.J. Castrol is owned by BP PLC. For more information about Castrol, visit Castrol.com.