Sperry Top-Sider has signed on as title sponsor for Sailing World’s NOOD regatta series starting in 2007. The NOODs are the largest and most popular sailboat racing series in North America.
The 2007 Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regattas will sail into nine cities in 2007, including Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, New York, San Diego, St. Petersburg, Florida, Annapolis, Maryland, and Toronto. St. Petersburg will kick off the ’07 campaign February 16-18.
In addition to the title position, the two-year deal calls for Sperry Top-Sider footwear and apparel to be sold at all nine stops via the yet-to-be-named official retail partner. Official merchandise will also be supplied by Sperry Top-Sider and sold at each event. The new Sperry Top-Sider NOOD 2007 event logo will appear on all promotional materials, participating boats and event programs. In addition, Sperry Top-Sider will have a significant advertising presence with Sailing World magazine, as well as sister publication Cruising World.
“The Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regattas title sponsorship is an exciting way to directly connect our brand with the people who are at the heart of competitive sailing today,” said Sperry Top-Sider president Craig Reingold. “It comes at a time when the company is greatly expanding our performance footwear line, providing sailors with innovative technology that allows them to perform their best on the water.”
“This alliance with Sperry Top-Sider will only bring more brand awareness and opportunities for the NOODs,” said George Brengle, executive director of the NOOD Regattas and director of darketing for Sailing World. “They are a major partner that our other sponsors will embrace as we head into 2007.”
Paul Sperry, an avid outdoorsman and sailor, founded the company in 1935. Sperry Top-Sider has always been the authentic, original icon of performance on the water. Regardless of changing trends, Sperry Top-Sider has stayed true to its core marine performance features: Wave-Siping ™ outsoles for anchor-like traction, rust-proof eyelets that won’t corrode on the water, and support systems that keep your feet secure on and off the water.
“As the company who invented the boat shoe, Sperry Top-Sider has been part of the sailing community for more than 70 years,” added Reingold. “Bringing our passion for water to the Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regattas is a natural progression for our long-time commitment to the sport.”
Sperry Top-Sider remains the vanguard of high-performance amphibious footwear and apparel. Available around the globe in fine independent, marine, outdoor and department stores, Sperry Top-Sider is the official footwear of US SAILING and is also worn by members of the U.S. Naval Academy and the Navy SEALs. Based in historic Lexington, Massachusetts, Sperry Top-Sider supports a wide range of water-related activities through its many sponsorships, including Acura Key West 2007, the Adopt-A-Billfish Foundation, the National Safe Boating Council, Rolex Miami Olympic Class Regatta, and now, Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regattas. Sperry Top-Sider is a division of the Stride Rite Corporation (NYSE:SRR). For more information, please visit www.sperrytopsider.com.
