The 76ers have "filled their vacant financial services sponsorship category by signing a one-year partnership deal" with Pennsylvania-based Firstrust Bank, according to John George of the PHILADELPHIA BUSINESS JOURNAL. The Sixers have "been without a partner in the banking/financial services category" since Wells Fargo -- which has naming rights to the team's arena -- "did not renew its partnership about two years ago." The deal includes Firstrust "serving as presenting sponsor for Sixers Coach Brett Brown’s annual private chat with front row season ticket holders and other select invitees." Sixers Senior VP/Corporate Development & Activation Chad Biggs said that the organizations "plan to work together on activities aimed at engaging millennials and providing 'unique experiences' to the bank’s customers and staff." Firstrust and the 76ers also will "work together to build their brands through community events and having Sixers players, past and present, appear at the bank’s retail locations." The partnership "does not include arena signage or in-game promotions or advertising." Those aspects "could be added in the future if the partnership is expanded." Firstrust Bank BOD Chair & CEO Richard Green also "agreed the one-year deal is a trial partnership that could lead to bigger things." He said, "We’ll do it for a year and see how well we work together" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 1/14).
