CIAA Announces Media and Sponsorship Rights Partnership with Van Wagner Sports & Entertainment
CIAA Announces Media and Sponsorship Rights Partnership with Van Wagner Sports & Entertainment
Charlotte, NC (August 31, 2016) – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and its Board of Directors today announced Van Wagner Sports & Entertainment (VWSE) as the Conference's media and sponsorship rights partner in a multi-year agreement, effective July 1, 2017.
"After great review and consideration, it has been agreed that Van Wagner's experience and reputation in the collegiate space, along with their resources and structure, would be most viable for the CIAA and its future," says CIAA Board of Directors Chair and President of Johnson C. Smith University Dr. Ronald L. Carter.
Van Wagner Sports & Entertainment demonstrates success in the sports industry as a premiere leader in media rights and properties. In addition to serving clients such as the National Football League (NFL), U.S. Open Tennis, Charlotte Hornets, and New York Yankees, VWSE has recently launched a rapidly growing business sector specific to collegiate services.
"We are confident that Van Wagner's support of our media rights and sponsorships will only grow to enhance current partnerships while diversifying the opportunities for the benefit of the Conference and our sponsors," adds CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams.
The five-year partnership with VWSE will include digital and live broadcast productions of various Conference matchups including football and basketball regular season and championship games. VWSE's knowledge in creating engaging experiences for fans through video content and animated graphics has been a part of over three decades of major events, both domestically and abroad, including Super Bowl productions and the Kentucky Derby, as well as the Final Four, College Football Playoff, Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and numerous major collegiate athletic conferences.
The CIAA and VWSE will also collaborate in-venue to maximize opportunities and enhance experiences for sponsors, member-institutions, and fans utilizing VWSE's expertise in sponsorship and advertising, design management, ticket sales and analysis, and activations. VWSE's Dorna division is a leader in digital television media sales and branding while their Consulting & Experiential teams will oversee official CIAA activations such as Fan Fest.
"Partnering with the CIAA and its roster of diverse institutions and corporate partners is an extraordinary opportunity," said VWSE Executive Vice President, Mike Palisi. "We are honored to represent the Conference's sponsorship and multimedia rights, as we believe the CIAA is driven by a distinct vision and thirst for innovation. We look forward to helping build the Conference's reputation by expanding its reach of first-class events and competitions to millions of college fans across the nation."
About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first African American athletic conference and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 16 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member-institutions: Bowie State University, Chowan University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, The Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine's University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
About Van Wagner Sports & Entertainment
Van Wagner Sports and Entertainment, LLC (VWSE), a wholly owned subsidiary of Van Wagner Group LLC, is one of the preeminent sports marketing and media sales organizations in the world. It is an acknowledged innovator in property consulting and branding solutions and a global leader in naming rights, team and venue services, high-impact visible TV signage throughout the MLB, NBA, NCCA, MLS, and internationally in soccer, advertising and sponsorships sales, premium ticketing, technology design and integration, and in-venue content production. VWSE assists teams, organizations, and properties in creating and selling advertising; sponsorships; and media that maximize revenue potential, and helps clients develop effective and powerful customized brand campaigns. VWSE works with more than 300 professional and college teams worldwide.