Kroger and the Beat Kick off Partnership

October 10, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Atlanta Beat News Release


ATLANTA (October 10, 2002) - The Atlanta Beat, Atlanta's professional women's soccer team, today announced its partnership with Kroger, one of Atlanta's and the nation's largest grocery retailers. The partnership will begin immediately and run through the Atlanta Beat's 2003 season.

Kroger and the Atlanta Beat will team together in building strong local ties and brand loyalty with customers and fans in the metro Atlanta area. This partnership spans grassroots initiatives, including in-store and on-the-field programs, as well as in-stadium and television exposure surrounding Beat games. Widespread visibility throughout a multitude of vehicles, including www.theatlantabeat.com a Kroger patch on Beat uniforms, player appearances at Kroger locations and title game rights during the 2003 Atlanta Beat season are also elements of the partnership.

Rather than wait until 2003 to kick-off the partnership, Kroger and the Beat are immediately activating the relationship through a soccer clinic that will benefit Susan G. Komen-Breast Cancer research. The Susan G. Komen Foundation is one of Kroger's charitable Cornerstone campaigns, all monies raised through the clinic will go to the foundation.

Featuring Beat players including Briana Scurry, Lisa Krzykowski and Emily Burt, the clinic is open to players of all ages and playing abilities. In addition to the expert instruction and training, the clinic will allow participants to interact, socialize and get autographs from some of the top women soccer players in the world. The clinic is being held at the Metro North Soccer Complex on October 12, 2002, from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. The registration fee for the clinic is $50 per person or $40 per person for groups of 10 or more. For more information or to register call the Atlanta Beat at 404-269-8353.

"The Atlanta Beat and Kroger are equally committed to reaching out to the community and this partnership will help us maximize our efforts to give back to the community that supports us," said Atlanta Beat General Manager Eddie Rockwell. "I can think of no better way to immediately kick-off this relationship then by teaming up on this charity soccer clinic, it's a tremendous vehicle to reach out to the families of Atlanta while benefiting a truly notable cause at the same time."

"Kroger is thrilled to be joining the Atlanta Beat team," said Bruce Lucia, President, Kroger Atlanta Division. "Everything from our shared commitment to community involvement, to our dedication to serving Atlanta families with the highest quality product, both in the store and on the field makes this a winning partnership."

The Atlanta Beat and the WUSA provides sponsors with the unique ability to reach an extremely loyal, highly educated, affluent, family audience. The Beat averaged almost 9,000 fans per game through the first two seasons of the WUSA, with the average fan attending more than three home games in 2002. Fan loyalty goes well beyond the team, they're also incredibly loyal to team sponsors. In research conducted during the 2002 season, 50% of Beat fans said they were more willing to buy a product from an Atlanta Beat partner. Exciting sponsorship opportunities are currently available for the 2003 season. For more information, contact Lori Watt at (404) 843-5735

The Atlanta Beat is one of eight professional women's soccer teams that make up the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA), the world's premier women's soccer league. Tickets for the 2003 season are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 1-877-SOCCER-1. For more information on the Atlanta Beat log onto www.theatlantabeat.com.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from October 10, 2002


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