The UFC leaves its mark in yet another sector of promotions. First making its debut network television series, then arriving in video games, blogs and finally sponsorships.
Harley Ddavidson Motor Company is attributed to the production of a classic, "all-American" style motorcycle. However, unlike many other established businesses, Harley Davidson's wide spread popularity and world wide success has not pushed them to sign many sponsorships.
In fact, Harley Davidson Senior Vice President and Cheif Marketing Officer Mark-Hans Richer stated that their sponsorship with the UFC is: "the first major worldwide sports sponsorship for Harley-Davidson outside the motorcycle/automotive category."
This seems to have been a major step for Harley-Davidson, especially since this sponsorship is the first outside their specific feild of interest. Most would feel as though a motorcycle/automotive company sponsoring the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) would contain many risk factors and possibly not necessarily benefit the company.
However, for Harley Davidson, signing a sponsorship with these organizations seemed natural. "like Harley Davidson, UFC is a true American passion that transcends cultures and languages, and shares incredible and growing popularity in the United States, Europe and around the world."
Although a sponsorship with Harley Davidson is a great acheivement for the UFC, Im not exactly sure that the same can be said on the other end of the deal. Both companies may share the same image; targeting the young, aggresive, rigid individual. But, how much can a fighting organization really help in boosting the sales of motorcycles? Are people who enjoy Harley's even interested in fighting or primarily the UFC?
Grouping these two companies together seems to be a stereotypical assumption which will in my opinion mainly benefit the UFC's image through promoting the logo and advertisements of a "power-house" company such as: Harley Davidson.
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