Edmonton - The Edmonton Oilers and Edmonton-based Katz Group Inc., Canada's largest pharmacy retailer, today announced a 10-year sponsorship and marketing agreement under which Katz Group will own the naming rights to the Oilers' home arena.
Katz Group Inc. will also serve as exclusive health care partner for the Oilers.
The centrepiece of this agreement is Rexall Place, formerly known as Skyreach Centre. The changeover to Rexall Place will begin immediately, as the Edmonton Oilers continue their 25th Anniversary season in the National Hockey League.
In addition to the naming rights, the partnership includes extensive branding, marketing and advertising programs. That includes television and radio advertising on Oilers' broadcasts, and extensive tie-ins to Oilers publications, edmontonoilers.com, and team facilities.
Rexall Place is the second major sports naming rights sponsorship signed by Katz Group in 2003. In May 2003, Katz Group and Tennis Canada announced Katz Group's 10-year sponsorship for Rexall Centre, Canada's new National Tennis Centre slated to open in summer 2004 in Toronto.
I guess sponsorship is the way to go these days. There are worse companies to be associated with. I wonder if Rush Limbaugh will be dropping any ceremonial pucks this season?
Well, they can keep the "Centre" the way it is and only change the first name ... makes it easier for those painting the ice logos.
Nope, the ice painters still have to do all the work. When the name Skyreach was given up the word Edmonton Oilers were painted thus removing the word Centre from the ice. Too bad for the painters because 2 words is twice as much as 1. :P
Apparently it will be the Rexall Place and not the Rexall Centre.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Edmonton Oilers
Katz Group Inc. is one of Canada’s largest privately owned companies, among the largest chain drug store companies in North America, and is the largest pharmacy retail network in Canada. Pharmacy banners include Pharma Plus Drugmarts, Pharmx Rexall Drug Stores, Medicine Shoppe Pharmacies, Guardian, I.D.A., Meditrust, and Herbies/Payless. PharmAssist™ is Katz Group Canada's professional services brand and program uniting Katz Group pharmacies under one nationally recognized symbol of excellence in pharmacy care. Katz Group Inc. also owns the Snyder’s Drug Stores chain in the U.S. Midwest and Drug Trading Limited subsidiaries D.C. Labs Limited and ProPharm Limited in Canada. For more information on Katz Group pharmacies visit http://www.pharmassist.ca
Sounds like a solid company. I had always assumed that the Oilers would be able to latch onto Syncrude or Imperial Oil or some other oil company (as the Flames did for their building) for sponsorship.
The Oilers continue to build toward opening night by adding a defenseman with three years of Central Hockey League experience, and a rookie center.Coach Dan Hodge announced the Oilers have signed defenseman Kelly Sickavish and center Josh Bray.
The Oilers continue to build toward opening night by adding a defenseman with three years of Central Hockey League experience, and a rookie center.Coach Dan Hodge announced the Oilers have signed defenseman Kelly Sickavish and center Josh Bray.
Oilers to play at the Drug Den
Oilers to play at the Drug Den
Linear Mode
