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WAM works with corporations to assess, develop and leverage sponsorship marketing programs in order to meet strategic business objectives.
WAM works with organizations seeking corporate sponsors (referred to as ‘Properties’) to maximize their revenue potential through effective marketing alliances.
WAKEHAM & ASSOCIATES MARKETING, INC. CONFIRMS SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT BETWEEN DIRECT ENERGY AND EXHIBITION PLACE, TORONTO NATIONAL TRADE CENTRE TO BE RE-NAMED DIRECT ENERGY CENTRE
February 14, 2006
Toronto –Wakeham & Associates Marketing, Inc. (WAM) is pleased to announce that it has concluded a sponsorship agreement on behalf of Toronto’s Exhibition Place with Direct Energy. This fully-integrated marketing alliance includes the naming rights for the National Trade Centre, to be re-named Direct Energy Centre. This ten-year agreement will be effective commencing June, 2006.
Dianne Young, CEO of Exhibition Place said, “We are pleased to have worked with Wakeham & Associates Marketing, Inc. in attaining a naming rights partner for the National Trade Centre. Wakeham & Associates helped us to define the objectives of our sponsorship campaign, and developed a highly-effective strategy for packaging the various assets at Exhibition Place. They have guided us through the process of seeking a naming rights partner for the NTC, and we are thrilled that they have found us the perfect partner in Direct Energy -- one of Ontario’s most respected firms. We expect that the relationship with Direct Energy will be the first of a number of new corporate alliances to be established at Exhibition Place”.
Marty Laskaris, Vice President Business Development & Marketing for Direct Energy, said, “We have worked closely with the staff at WAM in creating a very unique sponsorship relationship with Toronto’s Exhibition Place. WAM has been very creative in developing leveraging strategies with the property, and developed the business case for the relationship. We look forward to working with WAM as we move to the next stage of activating the sponsorship relationship”.
Hugh Wakeham, President of Wakeham & Associates Marketing Inc. said, “We are pleased to be the sponsorship agency of record for Exhibition Place, and we are proud to have brokered a mutually-beneficial relationship between them and Direct Energy. Their shared commitment to innovative energy programs and other environmentally-conscious initiatives makes them a perfect match. We believe strongly in the future of Exhibition Place and the assets it can offer to sponsors. We look forward to working with them in delivering exceptional value to Direct Energy”.
Wakeham & Associates is currently seeking additional corporate partners for Exhibition Place in a number of industry categories, including automotive, consumer electronics, and telecommunications among others. Details of these opportunities can be obtained by contacting Hugh Wakeham at 416-593-0040 x 235, or at info@wam.ca.
About the National Trade Centre and Exhibition Place
The National Trade Centre is an award-winning exhibition and convention centre which plays host to over 180 exhibitions, meetings, conventions and special events each year; featuring prominent shows such as the Toronto International Boat Show, The National Home Show and Canadian National Exhibition. The facility is owned by the City of Toronto, governed by The Board of Governors of Exhibition Place and professionally managed by O&Y/SMG Canada.
Owned by the City of Toronto, the 192-acre Exhibition Place is Canada’s largest urban park and attracts more than 5.2 million visitors annually. Exhibition Place hosts in excess of 300 trade and consumer shows plus special events every year.
About Direct Energy
Direct Energy is North America’s largest energy and home services retailer with over 5 million customer relationships. Direct Energy provides comprehensive energy solutions to 25,000 commercial businesses throughout Canada and the U.S. Direct Energy has a very strong environmental initiative, and has committed itself to sound environmental management and stewardship. Direct Energy was named the Ontario Energy Association’s Company of the Year in 2004.
About Wakeham & Associates Marketing, Inc.:
With offices in Toronto and New York, Wakeham & Associates Marketing, Inc. (WAM) provides sponsorship marketing services to corporations and selected properties across North America. One of its areas of specialization is securing naming rights partners for venues. Wakeham & Associates Marketing, Inc. is a subsidiary is of Sponsorship Marketing Group, LLC of California.