A meeting of minds: Florida and rugby league

It is a most unlikely marketing partnership.

A regional tourism operation in Florida, Visit St Petersburg Clearwater, Pinellas County’s official destination marketing organisation, has inked an 18-month partnership with the Betfred Rugby Super League.

As an advertising sponsor, branded LED banners will be prominently featured across more than 100 matches, which will be televised on BBC and Sky Sports.

You have to wonder if sports fans in Leigh and Wigan know the difference between St Petersburg, Florida, and St Petersburg, Russia. But there you go.

The partnership includes high-profile games throughout the season as well as the playoffs and finals along with marquee matches, such as the England vs. France international match.

The Betfred Rugby Super League games give the beaches of St. Pete-Clearwater global exposure as the games are, allegedly, aired in over 50 countries.

The sponsorship also includes an integrated online and radio campaign, with Visit St. Pete-Clearwater assets prominently displayed in stadiums.

Additionally, there will be specially-designed ads on the radio and online content.

With an estimated viewership of over 40 million (ahem), the partnership promises “extensive visibility” for the Visit St. Pete-Clearwater brand.

The sponsorship will run until December 31, 2025.

Steve Grimes, Chief Marketing Officer of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, says: “The Rugby Super League’s growing popularity worldwide provides a dynamic platform to reach diverse and passionate sports fans.”

“We are proud to align our brand with one of the fastest-growing sports globally.”

Righto Steve. 

Luxury hotel earmarked for Penrith

Penrith in Sydney's outer western suburbs, is to get a luxury hotel complex.

Accor has signed an agreement with Panthers Group for a new five-star Pullman hotel at the Penrith Panthers precinct.

The 153-room Pullman Sydney Penrith hotel, which is slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2023, will form part of Panthers Group’s transformation of the precinct to create a business and entertainment destination.

Rugby league has come a long way! 

The hotel will adjoin the new Western Sydney Conference Centre (WSCC), which remains on track to open in Q4 2023, and will boast a range of onsite facilities, including a restaurant and bar with private dining rooms, along with a ground-floor café.

Pullman Sydney Penrith will service the WSCC, which will host trade shows, exhibitions, seated functions for up to 1,000 people, along with other major events.

Panthers Group chief executive officer Brian Fletcher said: “Pullman Sydney Penrith will be a welcome addition to Western Sydney’s tourism offering and builds upon the existing and upcoming new amenities within the Panthers precinct and the wider Penrith locale. It is part of our ongoing commitment to deliver world-class facilities to the local community. This development will enhance Penrith’s reputation as a world-class event and tourism destination.”

The future Western Sydney International Airport - due to open in 2026 - is a 30-minute drive away.

The Accor group also operates Mercure Penrith, which is located adjacent to the Penrith Panthers precinct.