Just as things appear to be on the relative upswing for the Mets on the field, some of the club’s off-field efforts seem to be catching up, as well. Geico, one of the venue’s original top-level, signature sponsors, has renewed with the team for an additional three years. Sources said that the insurer agreed to terms and that the deal was “at the lawyer phase.” One of the largest media buyers across the sports landscape, Geico is part of a group of signature Citi Field sponsors that also includes Pepsi, Verizon, Anheuser-Busch, Caesars and Delta Air Lines. Scout Sports & Entertainment is Geico’s sports marketing agency. Mets Exec VP & Chief Revenue Officer Lou DePaoli would not comment directly on the Geico renewal but said he was optimistic about retaining all of Citi Field’s original top-level sponsors. In addition to the Geico renewal, so far only Caesars has officially renewed. To entice sponsors both old and new, the Mets are adding some signage at the ballpark -- some of that coming from the team moving in the outfield walls for '15. However, on the centerfield scoreboard, where recessionary pressures resulted in a glut of signage, DePaoli is proposing a reduction of signs, from nine to five. A similar plan is being implemented above the right-field wall. “The Repucom numbers convinced us, and we convinced sponsors,” said DePaoli, referring to work done for the team by the marketing research firm. “Fewer signs means greater impact.”
