Simpson began wearing the Burns & Wilcox logo on his shirt at the beginning of the '17 seasonGETTY IMAGES
Wholesale insurance broker and underwriting manager Burns & Wilcox "got a double victory" on Sunday as Webb Simpson, who wears the company's logo on his shirt, won The Players Championship and fellow endorser Jimmy Walker finished tied for second, according to Bill Shea of CRAIN'S DETROIT BUSINESS. The firm has been "investing in sports marketing" since the start of '16 and is "seeing dividends." Simpson began "wearing the Burns & Wilcox logo on his shirt" in January '17 at the Sony Open, and the firm "extended his deal a few months later." The caddies for both golfers "also wear the logo, and it's on Simpson's golf bag and towel." Burns & Wilcox Chair, President & CEO Alan Kaufman said that the company "plans to expand its sports marketing investments, but isn't yet prepared to discuss details." Burns & Wilcox also has its logo "on the ice at Little Caesars Arena under a deal struck in September." It also has a "branding deal signed in March" with Red Wings LW Justin Abdelkader. The company "uses its golf sponsorship to build brand awareness and to provide access to exclusive events for clients." It had a corporate hospitality tent at TPC Sawgrass last week and "staged a meet-and-greet with Simpson and Walker for clients and employees on Thursday." Kaufman said that it will have an "even larger tent" at Colonial Country Club next week for the Ft. Worth Invitational (CRAINSDETROIT.com, 5/14).
