Johnson & Johnson signs partnership/sponsorship with MLS/US Soccer

[Terry_2426]

I'm putting this on the football board since it's pretty safe to assume fans of all RU sports would kill for J&J to get involved with RU. Johnson & Johnson become the official healthcare parner of US Soccer and MLS.

MLS, US Soccer sign partnership with Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies

In the latest in a recent series of partnership announcements, Major League Soccer and the US Soccer Federation announced on Friday that they have signed an official partnership with the Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies.
The deal makes the Johnson & Johnson consumer division the exclusive and Official Healthcare Sponsor of MLS and US Soccer, including the US Men's, Women's and Youth national teams.
"We are proud to support the great family sport of soccer," said Mike Marquis, General Manager, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. "By partnering with the fastest growing sport in America, we are opening up many new opportunities and channels for our family of brands to connect with a large, passionate and diverse group of consumers."
The partnership is inclusive of some of the world's most beloved brands, including Band-Aid, Bengay, and Neutrogena, among others. Johnson & Johnson's consumer brands will be featured in field level signage at matches played in the US and will integrate the official partnerships into their marketing plans, including advertising, retail, grassroots, PR and digital. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/03/20/mls-us-soccer-sign-partnership-johnson-johnson-family-consumer-companies

 

[Caliknight]

It is pretty shocking that J&J isn't much more involved with sponsorships at Rutgers.

 

[RU_DIO]

It sucks they aren't huge sponsors.

 

[Terry_2426]

Originally posted by Caliknight:

It is pretty shocking that J&J isn't much more involved with sponsorships at Rutgers.

It blows my mind. I'd love to see some money poured into the athletic department (and for J&J, athletics would make a ton of sense) but even money dropped into academics would be fine..just something.

 

[MikeRU1766]

Yeah this post definitely should be here in the football thread because it brings up a very valid point. Johnson & Johnson would be an awesome sponsor for Rutgers and obviously the extra revenue generated for both J&J and RU would be beneficial. I wonder why they aren't more involved with the program, but I have some ways that we might be able to make a sponsorship happen.....[/I]

1. Become more visible[/B]
- We have actually accomplished this step when we joined the BIG10. Every one of our games is on television now and this is a big deal for our sponsors. The money spent sponsoring RU now goes SO MUCH FURTHER because every week their name can be seen by millions of eyeballs in one of the biggest markets in the world with the highest per capita incomes in the world as well.

2. Continue to win games
[/B]- We had a very exciting first season in the BIG10 going 8-5. We also are the surprise story of the conference going 8-5 with a bowl win since 99% of writers and analysts had us finishing in the basement. As long as Rutgers keeps its F.A.M.I.L.Y first attitude and puts it all out on the field every single game I think the success will continue and obviously sponsors love to be a part of successful teams.

3. Keep the Rutgers brand and reputation as high as it already is and also continue to improve on it wherever possible
[/B]- Rutgers is known to be one of the most elite research universities in the world already. I just saw a commercial that said we were ranked the 33rd best university in the world. We also we ranked the 24th best in the US ahead of Penn State, Ohio State, and Purdue just to name a few. Here is a link if anyone wants to check it out... http://news.rutgers.edu/news-release/rutgers-university-new-brunswick-ranks-33rd-among-worlds-top-universities-according-center-world/20140716#.VQz2wdJ4pPJ

4. Keep our eyes on the ultimate goal... to continue to create what we call "Rutgers Men" or "Rutgers Women"[/B]
- Rutgers athletics specifically really aims to make sure it athletes are prepared for the real world, whether it be professional sports or the corporate world. And I think this is what separates Rutgers from the rest is the fact that it has put players in the most elite tier of professional sports (McCourty and Harmon both just won Super Bowl rings this year) and also has put players into the most elite tiers of the corporate world (Mike Teel was working on Wall Street before he quit and decided he loved RU football too much and came back to become a graduate assistant or something like that). Anyway these are the type of people that sponsors love and these are the types of people sponsors will get when they sponsor Rutgers athletics.

 

[daneman100]

What are the viewership numbers between MLS and B1G football? I have to think the B1G is miles ahead with a dedicated nationwide tv network.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[RC1978]

I know it is not RU Athletics but I copied the following from the RU Fundraising page:


More than $75 million in support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the largest overall donor during the campaign period.

 

[DocRU]

Yum Yum Center? How about the J&J Center?

 

[DennisHajekRC84]

Originally posted by daneman100:
What are the viewership numbers between MLS and B1G football? I have to think the B1G is miles ahead with a dedicated nationwide tv network.

Posted from Rivals Mobile

I'm sure it is far less about advertising to the masses and more about targetted marketing to the growing hispanic population in the US who would be less knowledgable about this iconic Company.

My company is also a major sponsor of US Soccer.

 

[RUJohnny99]

J&J pumps tens of millions of dollars into Rutgers research every year & has essentially developed New Brunswick from a $#!thole to a nice town in the span of 25 years. This money is actually going to actual, essential things the university needs, not to pay a glorified gym coach's inflated salary or provide a second gym to practice in.

 

[FELONIOUSMONK]

The RAC could become the JJAC in a minute.

 

[ecojew]

"Yum Yum Center? How about the J&J Center?"

I don't know what a Yum Yum refers to but a "J&J Center" has a real nice ring to it, if RU and J&J could get it together to build a new facility for the New Brunswick campus/area. Of all of the multitude of corporations in NJ, J&J makes the best sense to establish an increased partnership with Rutgers, beyond what it is already doing in terms of research funding which is exceptional. The two institutions have essentially been responsible for the revitalization of the city of New Brunswick, a coordinated effort that started something like four decades ago with "New Brunswick Tomorrow" IIRC.

B1G membership establishes RU's identity for the future. It would be a great time for J&J to get on board with this and, as some mentioned above, cultivate an even more mutually beneficial relationship. Perhaps Julie, Barchi, and the BOG can put heads together with Delany and the B1G leadership to try to make this happen.

Stadium naming rights could be another area - our contract with the current sponsor is/was a 10 year deal, I believe. We are about half way through that now. The effort should start now to bring a major corporate sponsor on board for the next cycle. We have far more to offer now than we did in 2009.

 

[scarlet night]

I'm a big MLS fan as well, J&J were looking to the growing Hispanic market and the millennial market (which is interested in soccer at much greater numbers) when making this deal, from what I read. Audi recently jumped on board as well (another company we are very familiar with). If we could get J&J on board at the kind of level referenced above it would be a huge win for the athletic department, maybe the biggest since getting into the B1G.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[LC-88]

Originally posted by RUJohnny99:
J&J pumps tens of millions of dollars into Rutgers research every year & has essentially developed New Brunswick from a $#!thole to a nice town in the span of 25 years. This money is actually going to actual, essential things the university needs, not to pay a glorified gym coach's inflated salary or provide a second gym to practice in.

Beat me to it. NBTown was a dump back in the day. Thanks to J&J and to some extent The Hyatt, things were turned around. I do miss walking past Brown's XXX Cinema. Just kidding.

 

[DennisHajekRC84]

Originally posted by ecojew:
"Yum Yum Center? How about the J&J Center?"

I don't know what a Yum Yum refers to

The Pepsico business of Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut split off and are part of a business called Yum Brands. Not sure where Frito Lay fits into which one. I believe it is still the Pepsico part.

 

[_dave_]

Originally posted by ecojew:
"Yum Yum Center? How about the J&J Center?"

I don't know what a Yum Yum refers to but a "J&J Center" has a real nice ring to it,

Just a fyi, Yum! brands = KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and WingStreet. The Yum! Arena cost $450 million and Yum! paid "only" $13.5 million for naming rights. The city of Louisville paid for $265 million of it with taxes. Safe to say that New Brunswick wouldn't do the same.

 

[RUchip]

Originally posted by Caliknight:

It is pretty shocking that J&J isn't much more involved with sponsorships at Rutgers.

They are involved.

 

[LocalDC]

aka The Strand "Theatre"

 

[Knight_Light]

Originally posted by scarlet night:
I'm a big MLS fan as well, J&J were looking to the growing Hispanic market and the millennial market (which is interested in soccer at much greater numbers) when making this deal, from what I read. Audi recently jumped on board as well (another company we are very familiar with). If we could get J&J on board at the kind of level referenced above it would be a huge win for the athletic department, maybe the biggest since getting into the B1G.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

Not necessarily MLS "soccer"...especially in certain markets...which is why old franchises in other leagues never made it in Miami or Tampa...plus Houston struggles to fill their stadium even with Millions of hispanics in South TX...or even the only "Hispanic" MLS Team set up to reach that market, MLS Chivas USA, folded in LA...as Hispanics wanted no part of that team (rather follow their teams in Mexico).

Don't confuse a certain population niche who's interest is in generic soccer (i.e. World Cup, Home Country Leagues in places like Mexico, Spain, Italy, Germany, England, Brazil, etc...), as the same interest in MLS.

 

[JPhoboken]

Originally posted by RUJohnny99:
J&J pumps tens of millions of dollars into Rutgers research every year & has essentially developed New Brunswick from a $#!thole to a nice town in the span of 25 years. This money is actually going to actual, essential things the university needs, not to pay a glorified gym coach's inflated salary or provide a second gym to practice in.

We accepted membership into a conference whose charter is excellence in Academics AND ATHLETICS. Go read it on the big web site.

So we should drop all sports because its not essential to a University?

J&J can do what it wants with its money, and we should all be grateful that they stayed in NB and donate to Research.They have helped and Rutgers Tremendously. Nobody disputes this.

But there is no reason J&J couldn't help out RU athletics. By your standard, nobody should ever donate to athletics at any school, because no athletics are more important than academics right? Of course this is silly because a good athletic program can enhance a school's reputation, bring notoriety, make it easier to attract more grant and research money, and has been proven, to increase applications which allows a school to have a higher standard of student. Sorry this has a value, and that is why many corporations choose to sponsor and donate to College athletics.

I am confused, you post on this site, and are presumed to be an RU sports fan, why are you against donating to an athletic dept?

 

[HeavenUniv.]

I expected Johnson & Johnson to finally get on board with both feet soon after the Big Ten invitation. Very disappointing that we have not seen anything significant yet. I hope it is coming soon.

 

[RUJohnny99]

Nice job with the strawman.

This board just loves to spend other people's money for them. Johnson & Johnson gives 8 figures to Rutgers each and every year and is a prominent sponsor at all Rutgers athletic events. But that's not enough, because they haven't drained their $14 billion balance sheet and destroyed their AAA credit rating to provide a blank check to Rutgers athletics.

Yes, I see how you can draw the comparison between this and me being against donating to an athletic department. Good job there.

 

[Upstream]

I don't understand the complaints that J&J doesn't provide sponsorship support to Rutgers Athletics. Does no one notice the advertising and presentations from J&J at the Stadium and RAC?
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[mktman]

I'm actually surprised that it isn't Johnson & Johnson Field at Beaver Stadium considering the number of PSU alumni that they hire.

It is far and away the number 1 school they recruit from.

 

[e5fdny]

Originally posted by Upstream:
I don't understand the complaints that J&J doesn't provide sponsorship support to Rutgers Athletics. Does no one notice the advertising and presentations from J&J at the Stadium and RAC?

Posted from Rivals Mobile

Because as some of our fan base says....

 

[JPhoboken]

Originally posted by RUJohnny99:
Nice job with the strawman.

This board just loves to spend other people's money for them. Johnson & Johnson gives 8 figures to Rutgers each and every year and is a prominent sponsor at all Rutgers athletic events. But that's not enough, because they haven't drained their $14 billion balance sheet and destroyed their AAA credit rating to provide a blank check to Rutgers athletics.

Yes, I see how you can draw the comparison between this and me being against donating to an athletic department. Good job there.

"This money is actually going to actual, essential things the university needs, not to pay a glorified gym coach's inflated salary or provide a second gym to practice in."

This is your quote. As I said, J&J does plenty and can spend their money as they want. No need for condescending statement that Athletics in the BIG are not important or have no value because they do.

 

[fezo]

No question J&J contributes a lot to really essential Rutgers needs.

I would still think they'd love to throw their name on a new basketball arena. Was kind of surprised they didn't jump when they were renaming the stadium.

 

[StyleKnight]

J&J is New Brunswick.

 

[fezo]

They, along with us are indeed New Brunswick. Maybe they don't want their building in Piscataway. This builds the case for the Johnson and Johnson Arena in New Brunswick.

Heck, if they could run Greasy Tony out of town for urban renewal they can clearly clear a spot for an arena and parking. Heck of a venue for all sorts of things.

 

[Upstream]

Don't count on any Pharmaceutical company buying naming rights to a stadium or arena anywhere.

 

[fezo]

Suppose that's true or someone would already have Viagra Field. If a game goes more that four hours seek medical attention.

 

[Son of Red]

J&J is deeply embedded in many aspects of Rutgers University including athletics. Key J&J Stakeholders are members of the BOG and BOT. I think J&J may feel that the relationship is a bit one-sided currently.

 

[DennisHajekRC84]

Originally posted by mktman:
I'm actually surprised that it isn't Johnson & Johnson Field at Beaver Stadium considering the number of PSU alumni that they hire.

It is far and away the number 1 school they recruit from.

They should have their K-Y Brand sponsor the locker room..

 

[soundcrib]

Originally posted by fezo:
They, along with us are indeed New Brunswick. Maybe they don't want their building in Piscataway. This builds the case for the Johnson and Johnson Arena in New Brunswick.

Heck, if they could run Greasy Tony out of town for urban renewal they can clearly clear a spot for an arena and parking. Heck of a venue for all sorts of things.

They/we had our chance with the Ferren Mall site. Ship has sailed. That site was perfect.

 

[SanFranRutgers]

Originally posted by Terry_2426:

Originally posted by Caliknight:

It is pretty shocking that J&J isn't much more involved with sponsorships at Rutgers.

It blows my mind. I'd love to see some money poured into the athletic department (and for J&J, athletics would make a ton of sense) but even money dropped into academics would be fine ... just something.

Something like this, perhaps?

Or these?

Or this?

Or this?

Or this?

 

[SanFranRutgers]

Originally posted by RUJohnny99:
Nice job with the strawman.

This board just loves to spend other people's money for them. Johnson & Johnson gives 8 figures to Rutgers each and every year and is a prominent sponsor at all Rutgers athletic events. But that's not enough, because they haven't drained their $14 billion balance sheet and destroyed their AAA credit rating to provide a blank check to Rutgers athletics.

Yes, I see how you can draw the comparison between this and me being against donating to an athletic department. Good job there.

Agree with all of that, and -- admittedly -- I would love to see them sponsor a training and sports medicine facility as a component of the broader development of an athlete's village and practice mecca. I see a mosaic of New Jersey brands being involved in that development.

And I would be very surprised if that's not a subject being discussed already between the Foundation the BOT the AD and J&J.

 

[e5fdny]

Originally posted by soundcrib:

Originally posted by fezo:
They, along with us are indeed New Brunswick. Maybe they don't want their building in Piscataway. This builds the case for the Johnson and Johnson Arena in New Brunswick.

Heck, if they could run Greasy Tony out of town for urban renewal they can clearly clear a spot for an arena and parking. Heck of a venue for all sorts of things.

They/we had our chance with the Ferren Mall site. Ship has sailed. That site was perfect.

Has it though?

 

[TonyLieske]

Originally posted by e5fdny:

Originally posted by soundcrib:

Originally posted by fezo:
They, along with us are indeed New Brunswick. Maybe they don't want their building in Piscataway. This builds the case for the Johnson and Johnson Arena in New Brunswick.

Heck, if they could run Greasy Tony out of town for urban renewal they can clearly clear a spot for an arena and parking. Heck of a venue for all sorts of things.

They/we had our chance with the Ferren Mall site. Ship has sailed. That site was perfect.

Has it though?

For now it is already being pitched in a different directions. Remains to be seen if DevCo is successful in its current pitch. No guarantees of course, but DevCo has a pretty good record so far.

 

[e5fdny]

Originally posted by TonyLieske:

Originally posted by e5fdny:

Originally posted by soundcrib:

Originally posted by fezo:
They, along with us are indeed New Brunswick. Maybe they don't want their building in Piscataway. This builds the case for the Johnson and Johnson Arena in New Brunswick.

Heck, if they could run Greasy Tony out of town for urban renewal they can clearly clear a spot for an arena and parking. Heck of a venue for all sorts of things.

They/we had our chance with the Ferren Mall site. Ship has sailed. That site was perfect.




Has it though?



For now it is already being pitched in a different directions. Remains to be seen if DevCo is successful in its current pitch. No guarantees of course, but DevCo has a pretty good record so far.

Yep. Know about that from the Issues Board, but to paraphrase what Julie likes to say..."Until I see cranes"...ya never know.

 

[knights1212]

J & J should have the RAC named after themselves. J & J has been in New Brunswick forever and so has Rutgers. They have an awful lot of money and should be supporting RU athletics before supporting a soccer league. I think J & J really dropped the ball on this decision. Hopefully they will step up for RU. We really need someone to step up for RU basketball. Maybe J & J will realize how much this would mean for RU.