The Blue Jackets are "betting a player-centered promotion will pay off in the team’s new sponsorship agreement with Hollywood Casino Columbus," according to Jeff Bell of COLUMBUS BUSINESS FIRST. Blue Jackets VP/Corporate Development A.J. Poole said that a poker night at the year-old casino with Blue Jackets players "will be a key part of the sponsorship." It will be "held in February with Jackets fans having a shot at winning a chance to play poker with some players and team celebrities." Poole did not disclose financial terms of the agreement, but it will "provide the casino with scoreboard and electronic sign messaging, television and radio advertising, and digital and social media exposure." Poole said that the Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack "had been a Blue Jackets sponsor for several years but did not renew" after the '11-12 season. He added that the Blue Jackets "have had a good off-season overall for corporate sales." The team is adding T. Marzetti as a corporate sponsor and has renewed agreements with Papa John’s, Boehringer Ingelheim Roxane Inc., Pepsi, Columbia Gas of Ohio, Kia Motors, Marathon, Bob Evans Farms, Toyota, Coldwell Banker and Labatt Brewing (BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/2). Meanwhile, a team spokesperson said that the Blue Jackets "added more than 1,500 season-ticket holders since this time last year, soaring above 8,500 season-ticket equivalents." The Blue Jackets also had a 93% renewal rate (COLUMBUSDISPATCH.com, 10/3).
