Blow The Horn, Tap The Tambourine: Thomson Inks Mike Weir

Weir Inks Endorsement Deal With Thomson Corp.

Thomson Corp., the Canadian-owned company which is acquiring Reuters, has agreed to a five-year deal to sponsor PGA Tour player Mike Weir, "Canada's most prominent golfer," according to Lorne Rubenstein of the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL. Bell Canada had sponsored Weir since he turned pro in ’92, but “elected not to renew its sponsorship after this year.”  The deal is Thomson’s “first endorsement deal with an athlete." Weir will wear the Thomson logo on his cap to start the season and will begin wearing the Thomson-Reuters logo “once the expected merger closes,” possibly in Q1 '08.  Thomson Deputy Chair Geoff Beattie said of the partnership with Weir, “We’re starting with a lot of flexibility, and we need to do some thinking as this merger (with Reuters) comes together. But we don’t need to say to Mike that he has to give us 3.7 days or that we need to give him 12 days notice for something. It’s a matter of mutual respect. I can’t think of a better sponsorship for us” (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 12/18).