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TRAIL BLAZERS WELCOME DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA AS NEWEST MULTI-YEAR CORPORATE PARTNER

In its largest new sponsorship announcement since unveiling a naming rights partnership for the Moda Center last year, the Portland Trail Blazers today welcomed Daimler Trucks North America as a Corporate Partner.  The multi-year agreement begins with the upcoming 2014-15 NBA season, and includes an engaging new initiative connected to both companies’ commitment to environmental sustainability.   

 

“Our strategy around Corporate Partnerships has been to link with brands whose values and cultures mirror our own,” said Chris McGowan, President & CEO of the Trail Blazers and the Rose Quarter. “We are proud to welcome Daimler Trucks North America to the Trail Blazers, and to a visible branded presence in the Moda Center.  Daimler’s commitment to Oregon as the state’s largest vehicle manufacturer, and to Portland as one of its largest employers, is setting a new standard for other companies.  This relationship bridges marketing and business goals with other initiatives that reach Trail Blazers fans and engage Daimler employees.”

 

“Daimler Trucks North America has been proud to call Portland home for over 70 years,” said Martin Daum, President and CEO, Daimler Trucks North America. “Our relationship with the Trail Blazers is a tremendous opportunity to expand and celebrate our corporate commitment to the local community and the environment. We look forward to a successful partnership and an exciting season!”

 

Trail Blazers fans will be able to cheer for a very special part of the Daimler partnership at all regular season games with the inaugural Threes for Trees initiative.  For every three-point shot made by the Trail Blazers on the court, Daimler and the Trail Blazers will partner off the court with Portland-based Friends of Trees to plant three new trees along the Sandy River Delta area.  Based on the Trail Blazers’ three-point shooting success, Threes for Trees could potentially mean thousands of new trees planted to benefit Oregon’s environment and forestry landscape.  Last year alone, the Trail Blazers connected on 770 three-pointers, a franchise record for any season.

 

"We are very excited to be working with the Trail Blazers and Daimler to help restore the Sandy River Delta, an important area for the recovery of salmon, smelt, and other wildlife species along the Columbia River,” says Scott Fogarty, Executive Director of Friends of Trees. “This partnership will continue a process to remove dams and invasive species and plant native trees and shrubs to improve water quality in one of the most important watersheds in the state. This partnership will engage volunteers and Daimler employees to restore an area that tribal cultures valued in its natural state and has been impacted since Lewis and Clark arrived on the banks of the delta. We appreciate the commitment of the Trail Blazers and Daimler to give back to the community in such a meaningful way.”

 

Daimler is currently building a new 265,000-square foot corporate headquarters building on Swan Island that will house approximately 1,200 of its employees from multiple Portland locations, as well as accommodate 400 new positions it anticipates it will need in the future.  Construction on the new building is scheduled for completion in 2016. Daimler’s rapidly-expanding brand presence will receive a sizable boost in local and national visibility from its association with Trail Blazers Basketball.  This includes in-arena signage courtside and on the basket support stanchions; promotional mentions during Trail Blazers television and radio broadcasts; and community engagement opportunities involving Daimler employees.

 

“Just as we’ve experienced with our other premier-level partnerships, we’re looking forward to a relationship that is mutually positive for Daimler, the Trail Blazers and our loyal fans,” said Steve Scott, Trail Blazers Vice President of Corporate Partnerships Marketing & Sales. “Daimler’s economic commitment to Oregon and the Portland market is matched by its concern for our community’s growth and prosperity.  We look forward to showcasing more about Daimler and its employees through this partnership.”

 

ABOUT THE PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

Members of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Portland Trail Blazers were founded in 1970 and purchased by Paul G. Allen in 1988. The team's rich heritage includes 30 playoff appearances, three trips to the NBA Finals, an NBA championship in 1977 and a commitment to community service and sustainability. With a corporate mission to make it better in the community, the Trail Blazers strive to help children and their families throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington live, learn and play. The Trail Blazers are the first and only professional sports franchise to receive the prestigious National Points of Light Award for excellence in corporate and community service. The Trail Blazers home arena, the Moda Center, became the first existing professional sports venue in the world to receive LEED Gold Certification. The team is also one of the founding members of the Green Sports Alliance. For more information, visit www.trailblazers.com.

 

ABOUT DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

Daimler Trucks North America LLC, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America. Daimler Trucks North America produces and markets commercial vehicles under the Freightliner, Western Star and Thomas Built Buses nameplates. Daimler Trucks North America is a Daimler company, the world's leading commercial vehicle manufacturer.  For more information about Daimler Trucks North America, go to www.daimler-trucksnorthamerica.com.

 

ABOUT FRIENDS OF TREES

Friends of Trees empowers people to improve the natural world around them through a simple solution: plant trees. Together. Friends of Trees operates in Portland, Vancouver, Eugene and Salem. The organization has planted more than 500,000 trees and native shrubs since 1989 and is celebrating its 25th Anniversary planting season this year. For more information, visit www.friendsoftrees.org.