ACKLANDS-GRAINGER BEGINS CHL MARKETING PROGRAM
By Adnews Staff
Industrial distributor Acklands-Grainger has undertaken an advertising and promotional program with the Canadian Hockey League for the 2001-2002 season. The company will sponsor a segment called Acklands-Grainger Where They Came From during CHL game telecasts on Sportsnet. The segment will identify the CHL major junior teams at which current National Hockey League stars got their starts. The segment will be part of 24 games to be aired nationally beginning in January. The company will also hold at-game promotions in a number of markets with CHL teams during the second half of the season. These Ackland-Grainger Game Day/Night promotions will be held in partnership with local teams and corporate consumers and will involve interactive events and prize giveaways. In addition, Ackland-Grainger will advertise in the league's official publication, Canadian Hockey Magazine, and will advertise during televised CHL games. "The CHL is an important institution to Canadians and this promotional sponsorship program is in keeping with our core values of supporting the more than 100 communities across Canada that Acklands-Grainger serves," said company president Doug Harrison. Public relations for Aclands-Grainger are handled by GCI Group. The CHL is the largest hockey league in the world, with 55 teams divided into three leagues. Over half of the players in the NHL during the 2000-2001 season were previously in the CHL.