Nov 05, 2009 at 06:52 PM
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IZOD Officially Named IndyCar Title

As was widely reported earlier this week, the Indy Racing League (IRL) today officially unveiled IZOD as the title sponsor of the IZOD IndyCar Series.


Although the cost of the sponsorship was not revealed, reports earlier this week said the deal is worth approximately $10 million annually.

The multi-year agreement marks the first title sponsor IRL has had since 2001.

"The combination of young, dynamic drivers representing over 14 countries, events in key domestic and global markets and its strong American racing heritage make the IndyCar Series a perfect fit for the sport-spirited IZOD brand lifestyle," said Allen Sirkin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Phillips-Van Heusen.

According to an announcement released earlier today, the partnership includes the following key elements:

  • Multi-year, multi-million dollar activation plans and brand-building efforts around the IZOD IndyCar Series intended to broaden the promotion of the sport both off the track and beyond its traditional audience. These include:
  • Increased and enhanced nationalmedia initiatives with IRL`s two television partners - ESPN on ABC and VERSUS
  • Access to drivers and 100 years` worth of motorsports assets and graphics from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, including current and vintage cars, for both on- and off-track events, both in and out of race markets.
  • Multi-year, multi-million dollar commitment to participate in the IZOD IndyCar Series Team Enhancement/Allocation Matrix (TEAM) fund. Introduced in 2008, TEAM provides a guaranteed financial foundation for all teams committed to running the entire IZOD IndyCar Series schedule
  • Shared Web initiatives and online promotions
  • Rights to use one of the most dynamic marketing events in all of sports - two parade laps in the IZOD IndyCar Series two-seater at the start of the Indianapolis 500 and other selected races -providing a one-of-a-kind experience to an IZOD-selected VIP or fan sweepstakes winner


    Throughout the 2009 IndyCar Series season, and to coincide with the series race schedule, in-store events took place at select Macy`s stores around the country to further support the launch of the IZOD/INDY sportswear line. The events displayed vintage driver suits, archival photography and one-of-a-kind cars on loan from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum and were highlighted by both legendary and current driver appearances.

    In one such event, at the Macy`s Herald Square flagship store in New York, the entire field of 33 starting drivers of the 2009 Indianapolis 500 posed for a photograph on a closed Broadway in front of display windows showcasing winning cars from nearly every decade of Indy racing.

    Promotional activities for the IZOD/INDY sportswear collection included a text messaging and Web-based national sweepstakes hosted at macys.com/izod. The grand prize was an all-inclusive package for four to the 2009 Indianapolis 500.

    In addition to the title sponsorship, IZOD will keep its designation as an official sponsor of the IRL.