November 16, 2016 – The Charlotte Hornets today announced that the organization has entered into a partnership with Kumho Tire under which Kumho becomes the Official Tire of the Charlotte Hornets and the team’s exclusive partner in the automobile tire manufacturer category.
“We are extremely pleased and enthusiastic to announce this partnership with Kumho Tire who happens to be a new neighbor of ours in the Southeast,” said Hornets President & COO Fred Whitfield. “Much like our organization, Kumho prides itself on performing at a top level and providing a high-quality product. We are excited to add Kumho to our Hornets family.”
The partnership provides Kumho Tire with a portfolio of value driven assets and unique opportunities that will help support and deliver their brand development growth and goals. Such assets include signage around Spectrum Center, the rights to use team logos and marks and hospitality opportunities. The signage includes permanent back-lit signs on two corner board panels, as well as an arena takeover during the fourth quarter of games with a performance-related feature on the center-hung scoreboard and simultaneous branding on the 360 LED boards, scorer’s table, basket stanchion LED boards and corner board digital screens. Kumho’s logo will also appear on the scoreboard during fourth quarter replays, and on courtside rotational and basket stanchion signage.
This affiliation also gives Kumho significant access to the Hornets loyal fan base by engaging and interacting with them through a prevalent digital and social media presence, including a six-week sweepstakes campaign on hornets.com. Along with the arena takeover, Kumho-branded content will be posted on and disseminated throughout social channels of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
“Kumho Tire is exhilarated to be the Official Tire of the Charlotte Hornets,” said Harry Choi, CEO of Kumho Tire USA. “Adding the Hornets to our roster of quality teams further amplifies our partnership with the NBA and expands our presence throughout the Southeast, where we are proud to call our home court as our U.S. Headquarters is located in this region. Kumho Tire’s passion for the sport of basketball drives our commitment to deliver exceptional brand experiences and unique activations that effectively engage and connect with local communities and loyal fans, whether at home or on the road.”
Kumho Tire is also the Official Tire of the NBA and NBA Development League, and is the presenting sponsor of the 2017 NBA Development League All-Star Game.
About Kumho Tire
Founded in 1960, Kumho Tire has more than 50 years of history immersed in an innovative approach to product development, market expansion, technical progression and environmental awareness that has positioned the company as one of the world's top tire manufacturers. Distributed in 160 countries, Kumho Tire is dedicated to providing an exceptional driving experience for consumers and optimal service for our customers throughout the world. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Kumho Tire USA is the U.S. sales, marketing, product development and distribution arm of Kumho Tire Co. Inc. For more information on Kumho Tire USA, Inc. and its products, please visit www.KumhoTireUSA.com. Follow Kumho Tire on Facebook.com/KumhoTire, Instagram instagram.com/kumhotireusa/ and on Twitter @KumhoTireUSA.