Sponsor Spotlight: Hill Kelly Dodge
Before every Blue Wahoos home game, team mascot Kazoo gets to ride in style onto the field.The vehicle is provided by Hill Kelly Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, a Pensacola dealership, located on Pensacola Boulevard in Car City, which has been a corporate partner with the franchise since the inaugural 2011
Before every Blue Wahoos home game, team mascot Kazoo gets to ride in style onto the field.
The vehicle is provided by Hill Kelly Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, a Pensacola dealership, located on Pensacola Boulevard in Car City, which has been a corporate partner with the franchise since the inaugural 2011 season.
"It gives us a chance to really showcase our latest and greatest truck or Jeep," said Allie Smith, marketing director for Hill Kelly.
Beyond that visibility, Hill-Kelly has a sign on the stadium's corner right field wall and the grass berm beyond the fence in right-centerfield has a sign designating it Hill Kelly Hill. Behind home plate, they have two signs on the wall padding with words "Hit A Home Run at Hill-KellyDodge.com.
In addition, the awnings about the ticket booth windows outside of Blue Wahoos Stadium where thousands buy tickets are adorned with the Hill Kelly name and colors.
"They have been a huge partner with us," said Blue Wahoos president Jonathan Griffith. "The big thing they do is help us in the community in so many ways. Anytime we need vehicles to pick up players, they help us out and we've borrowed mini-vans in the past. They have always been a great partner in helping us when we are in need."
In return, Smith said Hill Kelly has been able to see growth in its business from the partnership. With multiple outlets of advertising at home games, it generates awareness.
"I think it has really grown us in a community aspect," said Smith, now in her second full season as marketing director with the dealership. "I feel like we have become such a huge part of the Blue Wahoos community, which is such a big part of the Pensacola community. "And we have been able to partner in every avenue. It has really grown both of our businesses. We know they are going to take care of us."
Smith said when she attends area events, people will mention seeing her at a Blue Wahoos game and praise the company's involvement in the community.
"It's a partnership where we are not just paying X-amount of dollars and just being a sponsorship. We are very involved with each others' businesses and we do a lot for each other."
The Blue Wahoos are grateful for all of their sponsorships and many others will be profiled in coming weeks through the early part of the season.