Jeep Brand and World Surf League (WSL) Make Big Splash with Global Partnership

LOS ANGELES, California/USA (Tuesday, May 5, 2015) - The Jeep brand and the World Surf League (WSL) today announced a first-of-its-kind partnership that will make the Jeep Brand the official and exclusive global automotive partner of the WSL and the naming rights partner to the WSL Jeep Leaders Tour Rankings for men and women. This fully-integrated, multi-year partnership will see the global automotive company tap into the unparalleled adventure, competitive drama and athleticism of surfing’s greatest stage.
 
“As the first-ever exclusive automotive partner of the WSL, this unique collaboration allows us to engage with a culture that embraces the very same philosophy, beliefs and attitude of the Jeep brand on a global platform,” said Olivier Francois, Chief Marketing Officer, FCA – Global. “Together with the WSL, we are able to connect with an adventurous, athletic, influential and increasingly digital fan base of over 120 million through on-site beach activations and live online streaming of worldwide surfing events across countries including Brazil, Australia, France, China, Japan and the US., making this the Jeep brand’s first truly authentic global partnership.”
 
“This is a fantastic opportunity for the Jeep brand to partner with WSL, a global organization with similar values to ours - freedom, expression and creativity.  This sport embodies the passion we have for breaking personal boundaries and making the most out of every day,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO - Jeep Brand. “The World Surf League represents a community closely aligned to ours and I believe our partnership is a natural fit.  I am very excited for the opportunity to be involved in the resurgence of an amazing sport.”
 
“The WSL is a sport built on the back of the pioneering, progressive and innovative spirit and it is this common DNA that we share with the iconic Jeep brand,” Paul Speaker, WSL CEO, said. “Coming off a record-setting 2014, the sport of professional surfing has never been in a stronger position, in and out of the water. We are humbled and gratified that a brand with the unparalleled heritage and authenticity of Jeep shares our vision for the WSL.”
 
"When we started out our search for a global automotive partner there was one brand alone at the top of our list, Jeep,” Mark Noonan, WSL Chief Commercial Officer, said. “Together we will showcase the world's greatest surfers like never before to our rapidly growing digital-first millennial audience around the globe."
 
The Jeep brand’s association with sports is longstanding. Ongoing partnerships include Juventus, USA Basketball and for twelve years, has been the automotive sponsor of ESPN Winter X Games. The brand’s partnership with the WSL is the first partnership that reaches across the world, with events in countries and locations including Brazil, China, Japan, Australia, France, Spain, Fiji and the USA.
 
The Jeep brand will use its frontrunner status to infuse professional surfing’s most sought-after properties including sponsorship of the Tour Leaderboard and the yellow Leader Jersey. In addition to on-site activations as the ultimate surf vehicle and specialized content offerings, Jeep will be awarding two vehicles to the 2015 WSL Men and Women Champions come end of year and has signed on as the title sponsor for the WSL Longboard Championships in China.
 
The Jeep brand partnership with the World Surf League will be featured on its own unique page on jeep.com. There consumers will be able to explore content from the most recent events, including the tour leaderboard and the wearer of the coveted yellow jersey worn by the current tour points leader.  Surf content, including an interactive schedule of upcoming WSL Championship Tour events and a gallery of top videos and photos will show off some of the mind-blowing action. The page can be found at jeep.com/wsl on desktop and m.jeep.com/wsl for mobile. 
 
Join Jeep and the world’s best surfers at the next stops along the tour, including:
 
WSL Samsung Galaxy Men’s Championship Tour (CT):
- Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast (Gold Coast, Australia): February 28 – March 13, 2015
- Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach (Bells Beach, Australia): April 1 – 12, 2015
- Drug Aware Margaret River Pro (Margaret River, Australia): April 15 – 26, 2015
- Oi Rio Pro (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil): May 11 – 22, 2015
- Fiji Pro (Tavarua/Namotu, Fiji): June 7 – 19, 2015
- J-Bay Open (Jeffreys Bay, South Africa): July 8 – 19, 2015
- Billabong Pro Teahupoo (Teahupoo, Taiarapu, Tahiti): August 14 – 25, 2015
- Hurley Pro at Trestles: September 9 – 20, 2015
- Quiksilver Pro France (Landes, South West France): October 6 – 17, 2015
- Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal (Peniche/Cascais, Portugal): October 20 - 31, 2015
- Billabong Pipeline Masters : December 8 – 20, 2015
 
WSL Samsung Galaxy Women’s Championship Tour (CT) schedule:
- Roxy Pro Gold Coast (Gold Coast, Australia): February 28 – March 13, 2015
- Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach (Bells Beach, Australia): April 1 – 12, 2015
- Drug Aware Margaret River Pro (Margaret River, Australia): April 15 – 26, 2015
- Rio Women’s Pro (Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil)): May 11 – 22, 2015
- Fiji Women’s Pro (Tavarua/Nomotu, Fiji): May 31 – June 5, 2015
- Vans U.S. Open (Huntington Beach, CA); July 26 – August 2
- Trestles Women’s Pro (Trestles, California, USA): September 9 – 20, 2015
- Cascais Women’s Pro (cascais, Portugal) : September 22 - 28, 2015
- Roxy Pro France (Landes, South West France): October 6 - 17, 2015
- Maui Women's Pro (Honolua Bay, Maui, Hawaii): November 22 - December 6, 2015
 
WSL Vans Hawaiian Triple Crown of Surfing:
- Hawaiian Pro (Haleiwa, Hawaii): November 12 – 23, 2015
- Vans World Cup of Surfing (Sunset Beach, Hawaii): November 13 – December 6, 2015
- Billabong Pipe Masters (Pipeline, Hawaii): December 8 – 20, 2015
 
WSL Longboard Championship – 2015:
- Men’s Jeep Longboard Championship (Riyue Bay, Hainan Island-China: November 30 – December 3, 2015)
- Women’s Jeep Longboard Championship (Riyue Bay, Hainan Island-China: November 30 – December 3, 2015)

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com
 
The Jeep Brand
Built on more than 70 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence.

The Jeep vehicle lineup consists of the Cherokee, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Patriot, Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited and the all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade. To meet consumer demand around the world, all Jeep models sold outside North America are available in both left and right-hand drive configurations and with gasoline and diesel powertrain options.