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April 25, 2008
Microsoft Small Business to Sponsor #00 at Michael Waltrip Racing
Starting this weekend at Talladega, Microsoft Small Business will become an associate sponsor of the #00 at Michael Waltrip Racing in 2008. If I understand correctly this sponsorship is a way for companies that participate in Microsoft's small business program to market and promote themselves using Michael McDowell, MWR and Michael Waltrip. This is the same sponsorship that was at BAM Racing before that team suspended operations and I would guess that they'll get a lot more exposure through their sponsorship of the #00 than they would have with the #49, particularly in light of how much attention McD has gotten since his spectacular wreck during qualifying in Texas. In addition, the companies who participate will be able to take contest winner to Raceworld, a facility that is a lot more impressive than anything BAM had to offer.
Michael (Waltrip) said,
“My race team has been blessed by partnerships with some of the most recognizable companies in the world and it makes me proud to represent a powerful international brand such as Microsoft. My team will deliver to the many Microsoft Small Business partners marketing assets that will help their businesses grow, which is ultimately the goal of this relationship.”
It's outstanding for Michael and MWR to be associated with a company like Microsoft which is known throughout the world! It could even encourage other companies to sponsor MWR since it sends a message if a prestigious company like Microsoft is willing to be involved with MWR that maybe it's worth it for other companies to become sponsors at MWR as well.
The other thing is that it's a creative kind of sponsorship. If I understand correctly small businesses pay a certain amount of money to get a marketing package that includes race tickets, a logo on the car and other things. That's the kind of sponsorship that I can see appealing to Michael since he thinks out of the box a lot. These days with how hard it is to find and keep sponsors I think teams need to think of different ways to generate sponsorships and also ways to sweeten sponsorships - being able to offer sponsors the use of Raceworld is certainly a nice perk that other organizations can't offer.
Even though it's not a primary sponsorship it's still great news that the #00 has some additional sponsorship and that it's for the entire season! Hopefully some other companies will decide that they want to sponsor McD or Aaron's who are sponsoring the car for a few races will decide to extend their sponsorship!
Posted by silverdsl at April 25, 2008 03:47 PM