- Major League Baseball (MLB) has extended a partnership deal with South Korean tire manufacturer Hanook.
- Hanook is the sixth largest tire manufacturer worldwide.
- Hanook is the ‘Official Tire’ for Major League Baseball in the US and South Korea.
Did you know that Major League Baseball (MLB) has an ‘Official Tire’? Some things are obvious–like official beer or authorized sportsbook–but who knew that the MLB gave the ‘official’ designation to car parts? The ‘Official Tire’ of Major League Baseball is South Korea based Hankook Tires and they’ve just extended their partnership just in time for the start of the regular season.
Hankook is the ‘Official Tire’ for the MLB in the United States and in their native South Korea. The partnership dates back to 2018 and must be going well since it has continued ever since. Here’s the parameters of the deal from the Hankook press release announcing it:
Leading global tire maker Hankook Tire announces that it will continue its multi-year partnership with Major League Baseball (MLB) as the league’s Official Tire in the U.S. and South Korea. Hankook first entered into partnership with MLB in 2018 with the aim of showcasing Hankook Tire across Major League Baseball’s media assets including MLB Network, digital platforms such as MLB.com & social media, and MLB ballparks during Jewel Events such as the All-Star Game and Postseason.
Through the partnership, Hankook will utilize MLB marks in marketing activities, giveaways, consumer promotions and events. The company will also engage U.S. consumers through virtual advertisements behind home plate in national broadcasts during Postseason.
The release also featured a quote from Sooil Lee, President and COO of Hankook Tire, who is happy to continue the relationship with Major League Baseball:
“Our partnership with MLB over the last three years has enabled us to successfully reach key audiences and grow our brand in the U.S. market. Just as MLB evokes excitement and enthusiasm in its fans and players, Hankook Tire seeks to enhance excitement and enthusiasm for driving among Americans. We are thrilled to continue this partnership and connect with MLB fans through the shared lens of passion.”
Hankook also has a partnership with Clayton Kershaw, who was involved in an ad campaign starting in 2020.
