SAN JOSE SHARKS INTRODUCE THE TEAL INNER CIRCLE,
AN INNOVATIVE AND EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP PLATFORM
PROGRAM BASED ON SHARED VALUES WITH UNIQUE BENEFITS FOCUSED ON UNPRECEDENTED ACCESS, PREMIER RECOGNITION, AND ONE-OF-A-KIND ASSETS
SAN JOSE, Calif (April 28, 2021) – In conjunction with an all-new approach to partnerships, the San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) announced today the launch of the Teal Inner Circle, an innovative and exclusive platform that will bring partners closer to the Sharks organization than ever before by developing relationships with organizations based on shared values and vision. The Teal Inner Circle platform will formally launch during the 2021-22 NHL Season.
Traditional sports partnerships are anchored on brand visibility, often using reach and the number of eyeballs as measures of success. Teal Inner Circle goes beyond these measures to mutually define purpose-based goals – in strategy, in employee engagement, and in community outreach. By leveraging the Sharks unique and best-in-class story-telling capabilities, member companies can unlock unique benefits concentrated on access, recognition, and one-of-a-kind assets. Sample benefits will include a road trip with the team, intimate events with Sharks team members and management, special opportunities for employee engagement, and much more.
“Our vision is to pioneer the future of sports and entertainment. Whether it’s relentlessly advocating for diversity and inclusion, transforming the business of sports through technology, or ‘thinking beyond the rink’ to digitally bring people together around the world, we want to push the boundaries of a traditional sports & entertainment franchise,” said Jonathan Becher (@JBecher), President of the San Jose Sharks. “However, we can’t pioneer alone. We want partners with a shared vision and shared values to join us, co-innovate, and move both of our businesses forward. Teal Inner Circle reflects that vision.”
The Teal Inner Circle will include a maximum of eight partners who are committed to pioneering the future of sports & entertainment and dedicate the appropriate resources for five or more years. The Teal Inner Circle will launch with four existing partners who exemplify the ideals of the Sharks organization including a commitment to the community and a collaborative approach in creating a long-term relationship. These partners are SAP (@SAPSports), Kaiser Permanente (@KPThrive), Western Digital, (@westerndigital) and Zoom (@zoom_us).
“SAP is always looking to redefine what a ‘best run’ partnership looks like and we are proud to join the Teal Inner Circle. Together with the Sharks we are excited to envision the future of sports and entertainment partnerships and the impact they can have on business, industry and our community.” -Dan Fleetwood, SAP, Head of Americas Sponsorships.
“The Teal Inner Circle is an innovative approach to deepening the partner relationship,” said Janine Pelosi, Zoom CMO. “As one of the partners in this collection, Zoom will have access to one-of-kind Sharks assets that allow us to make an even greater impression through innovative partner experiences and engagements in our own backyard.”
The Sharks will evaluate prospective Teal Inner Circle partners through their relationship with the PIVOT Agency (@PIVOTAgency), a full-service sports and entertainment marketing and sponsorship agency. This past February, the Sharks announced a partnership with PIVOT to become its primary new partnership team.
For more information about the Sharks Teal Inner Circle corporate partnership platform and other partnership opportunities with the team, contact Brian Towers, Vice President Partnership Sales & Service at btowers@sjsharks.com or 408-999-6824.
To Learn More – https://www.nhl.com/sharks/team/teal-inner-circle
ABOUT THE SAN JOSE SHARKS
The San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) are the Bay Area’s lone National Hockey League (NHL) franchise based in San Jose, California. Since being founded as an expansion team in 1991, the Sharks have committed to be a leader in our community and a pioneer in sports and entertainment. The Sharks organization remains steadfast in its pursuit to create an inclusive environment surrounding the team and to connect diverse groups of people for the good of the community. It doesn’t matter who you are. It doesn’t matter your background. We are all #TealTogether.
ABOUT PIVOT AGENCY
PIVOT Agency was founded in 2013 as a full-service sports marketing agency, built at the nexus of brands and culture, and forming alliances between consumer brands, athletes, sports, the arts, causes, business and media. Today it has grown into four (4) unique and successful divisions, encompassing Brand Representation, Property Sales, Team Travel and Tennis. By applying unparalleled expertise and data at precisely the right time and place, its team of industry leading executives have helped build PIVOT into a growing influence in the sports and entertainment business.
PIVOT recognizes the importance of corporate citizenship and giving back to those in need. In 2018, PIVOT created the PIVOT Foundation, whose signature event is an amateur tennis tournament designed to raise money for the Leukemia, Lymphoma Society (LLS) in memory of Ben Shapiro’s (CEO and Founder) late father.
