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ATP Unveils 2009 Feel It Advertising Campaign

December 17, 2008

London, UK. – The ATP, governing body of the men’s professional tennis circuit, today unveiled the latest evolution of its advertising campaign – FEEL IT. Now in its second year, the multimillion dollar campaign, will again feature ATP World Tour stars including Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, Andy Murray and James Blake, showcasing the sport’s core values as a one-on-one gladiatorial battle of world class athletes, full of intensity and passion.

Rafael Nadal, World No 1, said:

“I like the new ATP advertising campaign. They have done a great job with this since it is cool and spectacular and although I consider myself someone very down to Earth it is funny to see us up there playing with the stars. I hope this campaign helps bring more attention, new people and fans to the tennis tournaments. I understand this is the goal and I am sure we will make it happen.”

The FEEL IT campaign, featuring a full suite of above and below the line executions including TV spots, billboards, online banners, virals, merchandise, fan giveaways and PR stunts, has proved to be a huge success in 2008 with ATP World Tour tournaments around the world using the campaign for advertising and promotional purposes.

FEEL IT is one part of a global marketing overhaul for the ATP which also includes a full rebrand of the Tour, a new online approach and a global promotional campaign designed to better promote the sport globally and broaden the appeal of men’s professional tennis by making it easier for fans to follow. The changes have been made following two years of extensive and independent, global research of over 20,000 fans at all levels of tennis interest.

From January 2009 the Tour’s name and logo will change to ATP World Tour to reflect the unique, global nature of the men’s professional tennis circuit. In addition the tournament categories will be renamed to reflect the importance of the particular event. There will be three tiers of events:

The new category names reflect the number of South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings points available to the tournament winner and at a stroke help fans better understand how tournaments relate to each other and to the ranking table.

At the end of the season the world’s top 8 ranked men’s singles players and 8 doubles teams, based on their performance throughout the year, will qualify to compete in the season’s climax – the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. To be held at London’s O2 arena, the event will officially crown the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion and determine the final 2009 player standings.

To support and communicate these exciting changes to players, sponsors, media and fans, the ATP has developed a new, strong and distinctive ATP World Tour approach that will bring all 63 tournaments in 31 countries under one, exciting and accessible overarching brand. The logo, along with the respective tournament category will, for the first time, be included on the net at every ATP World Tour event from early 2009 as an easy way for fans at home to understand the new brand.

Phil Anderton, ATP Chief Marketing Officer, said:

“When over 60% of fans tell you that they do not understand how your Tour works, then changes are needed. We are the world’s most global sporting circuit, attracting millions of fans, but it is clear that we can still achieve much more for men’s professional tennis. The marketing strategy announced today will help us to do just that by establishing a new, simplified, tour structure that tells the best story of our global tour: the best players, playing in the best stadia in the best territories at the right time. The ATP World Tour is undergoing huge change from next season, but it is change that will help unlock the huge potential within men’s professional tennis.”