A-B, Pepsi, Huntington Bank Scale Back Blue Jackets Sponsorships

Some Sponsors, Including A-B, Scaling Back Sponsorships With Blue Jackets

Anheuser-Busch, Pepsi and Columbus-based Huntington Bank have dropped out of the Blue Jackets’ Championship Partners Club, “cutting by nearly half the ranks of companies that back the … team at its highest level of sponsorship,” according to Jeff Bell of the BUSINESS FIRST OF COLUMBUS. Blue Jackets VP/Corporate Development Cameron Scholvin said that the companies will “continue as ‘significant’ sponsors but spend less at the base level with the team.” The Blue Jackets do not disclose how much sponsorships are worth, but sources said that Championship Partners “spend $1[M] or more a year with the team.” Huntington spokesperson Jeri Grier said that the bank “plans to use its reduced sponsorship with the Jackets by focusing more on arena events such as Blue Jackets banking card night and promotions in bank offices.” Grier: “All the pieces are not nailed down yet.” Huntington will continue as the club’s official banking partner, with ATMs in Nationwide Arena, and Grier said that the bank “remains committed to its other sports sponsorships in Columbus.” Meanwhile, A-B VP/Global Media & Sports Marketing Tony Ponturo said the company will stay with the team at a “different level.” Bell noted the Blue Jackets now have just four Championship Partners -- Nationwide Insurance, OhioHealth Corp., Time Warner Cable and Dispatch Media Group (BUSINESS FIRST OF COLUMBUS, 10/17 issue).