Multi-level sponsorship deal incorporates in stadium activations, in-store promotions, and exclusive collectible athlete trading cards
Partnership includes football, men’s and women’s basketball programs, and Spirit and Dance teams
MODESTO, Calif. (November 15, 2023) – Proudly providing more than 70 years of service to families and communities throughout California’s agriculturally rich Central Valley, Save Mart, part of The Save Mart Companies, today announced its partnership to become an official partner of Fresno State Athletics beginning in November 2023 through April 2024.
The storied regional grocer will support Fresno State Athletics on the field and on the court with multi-channel marketing and activations in support of the football team, the men’s and women’s basketball programs and the university’s Spirit and Dance teams through the 2023-24 season. The multi-channel program will include digital and outbound marketing, in-store savings, and activations in Valley Children’s Stadium, the Save Mart Center, and in 26 Fresno area Save Mart and South Valley grocery store locations.
As part of the exclusive partnership, shoppers can purchase highly collectible exclusive trading cards featuring current Fresno State football student-athletes that will be only available in-store. Shoppers will have the opportunity to purchase card packs with exclusive limited edition chase cards featuring autographs as well as a card of the famed mascot, TimeOut later this month. The trading cards are being produced by Boise-based ONIT Marketing.
“Save Mart is excited to team up with the Fresno State University Bulldogs to proudly represent the San Joaquin Valley through this program by offering our shoppers a chance to shop, save, and collect trading cards of their favorite players,” said John Norman, Vice President, Store Operations, Save Mart. “Bulldog fans will enjoy the fun in supporting their school while also saving on their grocery bill.”
“We are proud to partner with Save Mart to further engage with Bulldog fans throughout the Valley. Save Mart’s values and store footprint perfectly align with Fresno State Athletics and our efforts to proudly serve the Central Valley. The exclusive trading cards are an exciting opportunity for both their shoppers and our football student-athletes,” said Frank Pucher, Senior Associate Athletics Director of External Relations, Fresno State Athletics.
As part of the partnership, Save Mart has created the “Bulldog Bundle” where shoppers buy three specially marked items and receive additional savings. Additionally, Bulldog fans will be able to show their school pride and purchase official university merchandise such as branded tees, hats, hoodies, joggers, water bottles and more.
For more information on Save Mart and The Save Mart Companies, please visit www.SaveMart.com.
About Save Mart
With deep roots in the Central Valley, Save Mart is Valley Proud and benefits from longstanding friendships with local ranchers, farmers and producers who help ensure stores are stocked with fresh, competitively priced products every day. Today, Save Mart operates 79 stores across California and Northern Nevada and is part of The Save Mart Companies, a Kingswood Capital Management, LP portfolio company. Committed to sourcing a wide variety of fresh local products and dedicated to the communities it serves, the company operates 194 traditional and price impact stores under the banners of Save Mart, Lucky, and FoodMaxx. In addition to its retail operation, the Company also operates SMART Refrigerated Transport and is a partner in Super Store Industries (“SSI”), which owns and operates a distribution center in Lathrop, and the Sunnyside Farms dairy processing plant in Turlock. Proud to be California’s largest regional, full-service grocery chain throughout the region, the Company and its 13,000 associates take extra care to help provide customers with the freshest foods for their families at affordable prices. For more information on the company, please visit www.savemart.com.
# # #
Media contacts: Glodow Nead Communications at TSMCPR@glodownead.com