Regions
Bank (NYSE:RF) and ESPN have announced that Regions will continue
its 21-year position as the Official Bank of the SEC and is now the
newest sponsor of the soon-to-be-launched SEC Network. Regions’ position
also includes category exclusivity at all SEC Championship events
throughout the year.
In addition to a large media presence from Regions on the new SEC
Network, including heavy involvement in SEC Nation, the network’s
traveling campus-based pre-game show during college football season, the
collaboration also provides Regions with intellectual property rights
and category exclusivity in retail banking for all marketing and
promotional activities involving the SEC and its FanFare activities.
The six-year deal includes Regions’ continuing sponsorship of the
popular Regions Bank SEC Coaches Luncheon, which is held annually in
conjunction with the SEC Football Championship in Atlanta.
“Regions is proud to continue our 21-year history as the Official Bank
of the Southeastern Conference. The SEC generates significant economic
impact and greatly enhances the quality of life within the communities
we serve,” said Paul Hodges, head of Regions Corporate Sponsorships.
“The expanded platform offered by the SEC Network allows Regions to
continue to build strong brand preference and provides opportunities to
create new financial education programs targeted towards students,
alumni and fans of the SEC.”
Added Ed Erhardt, President of Global Customer Marketing and Sales at
ESPN, “Given their long history with the SEC, Regions is a natural fit
in this exciting new chapter for the conference. Aligning with the SEC
Network will not only provide Regions with great exposure in their key
markets, but also with a growing presence among the SEC fan base.”
The SEC Network, a multiplatform ESPN network devoted to the
Southeastern Conference, will air 45 college football games in 2014, in
addition to an array of daily studio shows providing in-depth commentary
on all 14 SEC teams. AT&T U-verse, DISH and NRTC have agreed to carry
the network. Additional ESPN and SEC Network college football
announcements will be made in the coming weeks.
About SEC Network
The Southeastern Conference and ESPN have signed a 20-year agreement
through 2034 to create and operate a multiplatform network which will
launch in August 2014. The new network and its accompanying digital
platform will air SEC content 24/7 including more than 1,000 events in
its first year. The network will televise approximately 45 SEC football
games, more than 100 men’s basketball games, 60 women’s basketball
games, 75 baseball games, and events from across the SEC’s 21 sports
annually. Programming will also include studio shows, original content
such as SEC Storied, spring football games, signing day and pro days
coverage. Hundreds of additional live events from various sports will be
offered exclusively on the digital platform. AT&T U-Verse, DISH and
National Rural Telecommunications cooperative (NRTC) have agreed to
carry the SEC Network.
About Regions Financial Corporation
Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $118 billion in assets, is
a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation’s largest
full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth
management, mortgage, and insurance products and services. Regions
serves customers in 16 states across the South, Midwest and Texas, and
through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates approximately 1,700
banking offices and 2,000 ATMs. Additional information about Regions and
its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.
Copyright Business Wire 2014