Warner Bros. Classic Character Sponsors Skateboarders
Warner Bros. Consumer Products is taking its popular Speedy Gonzales character on tour with a new sport—skateboarding.
The company and its classic character is sponsoring a team of professional skateboarders as part of a six-week tour, which begins Feb. 10 in Orlando, FL. Skateboard pros Danny Gonzalez and Patrick Melcher will be part of the Andale Posse tour. Legend Steve Caballero will make special guest appearances.
The tour will hit skate parks in 12 cities where the Andale Posse will participate in exhibitions for the local skating community. At each stop, the team will offer skating demos, play games, host autograph signings and giveaways. In addition, a limited edition line of Speedy skateboards, T-shirts and hats will be available at tour locations and local skate shops.
As part of the tour, the Andale Posse will film a DVD featuring highlights from skate park events and footage of their road adventures. The DVD is slated for release in skate shops this year.
“We’re reaching the skate community where they live,” said Matthew Glass, CEO, Grand Central marketing, the New York City agency handling the tour. “It’s a very tight community. Our goal is to be accepted and embraced by these kids.”
The tour is designed to expose up and coming skaters at a grassroots level and boost the Speedy character among the crowd. At each stop, locally sponsored skaters can show off their stuff in a best trick contest, which the Andale Posse and attendees will judge. The winner in each city will be featured in the DVD and will be name an honorary member of the group.
Tour stops include Tampa, FL, Jackson, MS, New Orleans, LA, Austin, TX, Phoenix, and San Diego, CA. A full list is at AndalePosse.com.
For its part, Vans, which sponsors Caballero, will offer a limited edition Speedy print on its Web site. Event attendees will receive a special code to print and customize their own Vans footwear. Sponsor Powell skateboards will offer a limited edition Speedy deck for skateboards during the tour.
Radio spots, online materials and local skate shops will promote the tour, which runs through March 18. Intersection, Los Angeles, handles videography of the tour and will post clips of the team on the road on skateboard Web site and social networking sites.
