Ferguson nets major fishing sponsorship in 2015

Ferguson, the largest wholesale distributor of plumbing supplies in the U.S., announces two key partnerships for 2015 - with Major League Fishing and professional angler Scott Ashmore.

Major League Fishing Sponsorship

Ferguson is a 2015 sponsor of Major League Fishing, a popular bass fishing tournament series taking place throughout the country.

Major League Fishing, in partnership with Outdoor Channel and 24 professional anglers, features exciting bass fishing events in a unique format that challenges the participants and provides angling insight to the audience.

"At Ferguson, we've already realized the tangible benefits of the sponsorship, such as our 30-second commercials running during Major League Fishing programming and our brand exposure in the boats and on the MLF set," said Shawn McLaughlin, Ferguson director of marketing. "Moving forward, we hope to leverage the sponsorship through angler appearances at Ferguson trade counters, sweepstakes, once-in-a-lifetime customer experiences and content sponsorships."

"Our trade customers have an affinity for the outdoors. Fishing is certainly one of the activities our customers enjoy when they're not at work," said Henry Wood, Ferguson vice president of Counters. "The reinforcement of the Ferguson brand in the show, and the correlation with fishing make the partnership with MLF a great fit."

"We are ecstatic at Major League Fishing to be in partnership with Ferguson, the largest plumbing wholesaler in North America and a great company," said Major League Fishing General Manager Jim Wilburn. "Our audiences have strongly indicated that Major League Fishing is the best competitive fishing show they've ever seen, and our viewer numbers are going up and up. We believe we offer a great outlet for Ferguson to deliver its brand messages."

Scott Ashmore Partnership

Ferguson is partnering with Scott Ashmore, Bassmaster Elite Series Contender and 2014 Major League Fishing Selects Survival Round Winner, continuing their long-standing relationship with the professional angler.

As part of the partnership, Scott attends several Ferguson Rewards bass fishing events at Bienville Plantation in White Springs, Fla. Ferguson customers, associates and vendors have the opportunity to fish alongside Scott during the event, which takes place six times each year.

"Scott's tenacity as a professional angler resonates with both our associates and our customers," said Ferguson's National Counter Alignment Manager Jeff Puckette. "His humility, strong values and genuine personality parallel with our brand, making him ideal to represent our organization."

"My partnership with Ferguson has allowed me to do what I love each day and has given me a way to touch thousands of people through the events I'm able to attend with the company, such as their Bienville Plantation rewards trips," said Scott Ashmore. "I look forward to my partnership with Ferguson each year, and I consider myself lucky to work alongside such a great company."

Fishing fans can tune in to the Outdoor Channel now through March to watch Scott Ashmore, 2014 Major League Fishing Selects Survival Round Winner, and 23 other anglers compete for the 2015 title.

Ferguson chose to sponsor Major League Fishing and Scott Ashmore because they align with their trade customer base. This is the company's first year sponsoring MLF and its fourth year partnering with Scott Ashmore.