USC Athletics and Western Dental announced today that they have reached a new multi-year agreement that will make Western Dental the “Official and Exclusive Dentists of USC Trojan Athletics.”
In addition, the new partnership will make Western Dental the official presenting sponsor of USC Athletics’ “Kids Corner” program, bringing children from underprivileged communities to select USC football games each year.
The agreement was facilitated by USC Sports Properties, the FOX-owned sales entity which manages the marketing and media rights on behalf of USC Athletics.
“Our entire team here at Western Dental is thrilled to partner with USC Athletics,” said Western Dental President and CEO Samuel Gruenbaum. “This partnership truly aligns with our core marketing and community goals and we are most excited about the verticals and platforms that benefit children. The kids programming, combined with the USC brand affiliation and the opportunity to become the official dentists of the Trojans makes this partnership a slam dunk.”
“This is truly a unique partnership in a non-traditional category,” commented Dan Shell, Vice President and General Manager for USC Sports Properties. “Everyone throughout USC Athletics and the Trojan family are thrilled to have Western Dental onboard as a new partner.”
According to the terms of the agreement, Western Dental will receive a variety of multi-media sponsorship entitlements including:
• On-field signage
• Video board recognition (primarily during football and basketball games)
• Integration into the USC Summer Sports Camp with the opportunity to sponsor a select number of kids (age 13 and younger) who may not have the means to afford to go to camp
• Elementary school visits near the USC campus to educate children on the importance of dental care
The Trojans kicked off the 2012 football season on Sept. 1 at home against Hawaii. Other home match ups include Sept. 22 vs. California; Oct. 20 vs. Colorado; Nov. 3 vs. Oregon; Nov. 10 vs. Arizona State; and Nov. 24 vs. Notre Dame.
Western Dental
Headquartered in Orange, Calif., Western Dental Services, Inc., is the largest staff-model dental HMO and clinical provider of dental services in California. With nearly 4,000 employees and 300 dental offices throughout California and affiliates in Arizona, Nevada and Texas, Western Dental and its affiliates are leaders in full-family and specialty dental care operations at convenient neighborhood locations. The company’s strict quality oversight, commitment to the Ultimate Patient Experience, affordable treatments, group and individual dental benefit plans, as well as evening and weekend office hours, help keep the smiles of nearly three-quarters of a million patients healthy and bright every year.
USC Sports Properties
A division of Fox Sports Net, USC Sports Properties is a full service sales and marketing organization representing the University of Southern California. Its mission is to create long-term strategic partnerships through customized, integrated marketing programs that deliver great value while addressing the needs and objectives of its corporate partners, USC, and its stakeholders.
