Hertz Corporation Gets Naming Rights to New Zealand International Sevens Tournament

The Hertz Corporation have announced that Hertz New Zealand has signed a two-year agreement to become the naming rights sponsor of the prestigious New Zealand International Sevens Tournament, effective immediately.

The inaugural Hertz Sevens rugby event, which is already sold out, will be held at in Wellington, New Zealand at the Westpac Stadium on the weekend of 3-4 February 2012. It is part of the annual HSBC Sevens World Series, which has become so popular that rugby sevens has now been accepted as an official Olympic sport, and will debut at the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Michel Taride, President of Hertz International and Executive Vice President, Hertz Corporation, said: “New Zealand International Sevens is a major annual event on the national sports calendar, featuring teams from 16 countries, attracting 35,000 fans to games and generating a massive television viewing audience in New Zealand and internationally.  We’re delighted that Hertz New Zealand has secured the naming rights for the New Zealand International Sevens Tournament in 2012 and 2013, not only because of the event’s popularity in New Zealand but also because rugby sevens worldwide is about to be elevated to the status of an Olympic sport.

“For Hertz this sponsorship opportunity is ideal to increase awareness of our brand and introduce New Zealanders to Horatio, our new global goodwill ambassador.”

Hertz Sevens General Manager, Steve Walters, added:  “Hertz is a global brand and rugby sevens is too. Our tournament is one of nine stages of the HSBC Sevens World Series which continues to grow both in competitiveness and popularity. We are excited to have Hertz on board with us and we look forward to working together to continue the success of rugby sevens both in New Zealand and internationally.”