Harlem Globetrotters Renew Key Partners

Harlem Globetrotters today announced partnership renewals with Howard Johnson International, America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, and Spalding, in time for the Globetrotters 85th anniversary season in 2011.

These three partners join long-time partner Campbell Soup Company–which signed a three-year renewal with the Globetrotters in 2008 (check out the Campbell Soup Co. activation with Globie, the team's mascot, in the clip below).

The Howard Johnson brand will serve as the “Official Hotel of the Harlem Globetrotters” for an additional year. The two have also joined together on the hotel chain’s “Double Dribble” complimentary ticket promotion, which will be promoted in a TV ad campaign that will begin airing on the recently launched HUB Network this month.

America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses inked a second consecutive one-year agreement as the Globetrotters’ official eyewear retailer. The two companies will spearhead a seven-figure co-branded ad campaign for a third straight year, focusing on America’s Best’s popular Transitions Lenses.

Spalding has signed a two-year extension of their current agreement that keeps the No. 1 basketball supplier in the world as the official basketball provider of the Harlem Globetrotters through 2013. Spalding produces the Globetrotters’ widely known red, white and blue official game ball and is the exclusive supplier of the team’s novelty basketballs sold at live events and online.

“We are thrilled to continue our extremely rewarding relationships with these well-respected global organizations,” said Peter LaPointe, the Globetrotters’ senior vice president, partnership & marketing. “This is truly an exciting time for the Harlem Globetrotters organization as we enter our 85th consecutive tour year.”