The state of Michigan on Tuesday "approved contract extensions" with the Tigers and Michigan Int'l Speedway to "continue promotion of the state's Pure Michigan tourism campaign," according to Lindsay VanHulle of CRAIN'S DETROIT BUSINESS. The Michigan Strategic Fund "approved a one-year extension worth $325,000 with the Tigers," who have partnered with the Michigan Economic Development Corp. since '12. The Tigers' contract "extends retroactively from Oct. 1, 2016, and runs through Sept. 30, 2017." The MEDC said that the '17 season is the "second year of a three-year sponsorship deal with the Tigers." The arrangement features Pure Michigan branding inside Comerica Park, "including dugout railings and benches, advertising on the park's TigerVision system and on the scoreboard, social media marketing, public relations services and a Pure Michigan-themed game." Also approved was the "second annual contract extension worth $725,000 to promote Pure Michigan" during the '17 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races and the Pure Michigan 400 at MIS. The sponsorship "includes billboards, signage, a turf logo and other marketing materials" (CRAINSDETROIT.com, 12/20).
