Best Buy UK, part of the world’s leading technology store, has signed a new deal to become the ‘Official Technology Retail Partner of the NFL’ in the UK. Best Buy will be supporting a series of events leading up to the game between the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, to be played at Wembley on October 23rd, and will also receive rights across the entire NFL season, culminating in Super Bowl XLVI in February 2012.
To celebrate the partnership, players from BUAFL teams visited local Best Buy stores to show their support ahead of the NFL International Series Game at Wembley. The students warmed up with the assistance of a Best Buy Blueshirt before demonstrating their skills to employees and customers alike and helping out with the store’s deliveries.
BAFA Director for Student Football Development Andy Fuller was appreciative of the efforts made by both teams and Best Buy. 'I am delighted that our teams have been able to help promote this partnership in the build up to the International Series Game.'
'Engaging in this type of activity highlights the professional way in which our students can work with major brands to support promotional activity. I would like to thank both Best Buy and the NFL for working with our teams and naturally, I'd like to pay tribute to those students who have proven themselves great ambassadors for their universities.'
Best Buy’s new partnership with NFL UK follows the airing of the company’s first ever Super Bowl commercial on US TV in February 2011. The deal will see Best Buy offering tickets for the 2011 International Series to its customers through an in-store promotion running in all 11 Best Buy stores throughout October. Customers will be able to win a pair of tickets for the match with all purchases over £30 until October 16th.
The promotion will culminate with a Best Buy sports and technology-themed scavenger hunt on 23rd October. Hosted on SCVNGR (http://www.scvngr.com), Fans and customers will be challenged to complete tasks – such as taking photos, answering questions, checking into locations – using their iPhone or Android smartphone. The first player to complete all the tasks will be selected to become Best Buy’s Ultimate NFL Fan and receive a VIP International Series experience at Wembley.
In the week building up to the Chicago Bears v Tampa Bay Buccaneers game, Best Buy, as Official Technology Retail Partner of the NFL, will be working with NFL UK to deliver a week of entertainment for fans in the UK. The official Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleaders will be at Best Buy in Hayes at 10am on Thursday 20th October, to hold cheerleading and NFL master classes for Best Buy customers.
Best Buy will also be present at the NFL Fan Rally, held in Trafalgar Square the day before the big game, and at the Tailgate Party for ticket-holders at Wembley on the day of the game.
Ian Boyton, Sponsorship and Events Manager at Best Buy UK, said: “It’s hugely exciting for all of us at Best Buy to be developing this new partnership with the NFL here in the UK. Best Buy and the NFL are both internationally recognised brands and share many values. Supporting our customers and their sports and entertainment interests has always been a focus so sponsorships such as this, as well as the partnership we have recently announced with Everton Football Club are something we are keen to do more of so we can offer our customers the best in entertainment.”
Speaking about the new partnership Marc Armstrong, Commercial Director at NFL International, said: “We are delighted to welcome Best Buy on board as the Official Technology Retail Partner for the NFL in the UK. They will be engaging with our fans at the International Series game and NFL Fan Rally as well as in Best Buy stores across the country. Best Buy join a growing list of UK sponsors signing up to our commercial programme as we continue to expand our fan base in the UK and we look forward to building a successful partnership with them during the coming season.”