The @FamilyCircle Cup is Dead, Long Live @VolvoCarsOpen
NEW YORK & DANIEL ISLAND, S.C., (August 31, 2015) – Meredith Corporation (NYSE:MDP, http://www.meredith.com) unveiled today an exciting, new partnership with Volvo Cars of North America for the Family Circle Cup, the largest women’s-only tennis tournament in the world. In conjunction with Volvo Car’s first American plant in South Carolina’s Berkeley County, the brand will become the title sponsor for the Family Circle Cup, changing its name to the Volvo Cars Open.
“Family Circle’s commitment to women’s tennis began in 1973, and the tournament continues to be a premiere event on the WTA tour. Our new relationship with Volvo is a great opportunity for both of our companies to build on and celebrate the tournament’s rich history while finding new and exciting ways to expand and grow its reach with our marketing partners,” said Tom Harty, President, National Media Group, Meredith Corporation.
He notes that Volvo’s decision to create its first United States production facility in South Carolina, and to become title sponsor for the event, will “help to ensure that the tournament and facility along with its broad range of programs remain a vital part of the Charleston community both now and for many years to come.”
The tournament aligns with Volvo’s core mission and target market. The luxury-car brand has been built up over decades, and is one of the world’s best known and respected companies within the vehicle industry. Volvo has also been involved in tennis historically in the past.
Volvo Cars Cup Stadium
“It is a great honor to become the title sponsor of this world-class tournament; one that like Volvo Cars, celebrates passion and performance,” said Lex Kerssemakers, President and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America. “As we are establishing our U.S. manufacturing footprint in the Charleston area, this is an ideal way for us to leverage our presence in the community.”
The Volvo Cars Open is truly an international event for the Charleston area, with players and fans attending from across the globe. The tournament averages 90,000 attendees each year and reaches more than 10 million television viewers worldwide.
“The title sponsorship change is a natural evolution of our event,” said Bob Moran, General Manger and Tournament Director of the Volvo Cars Open. “We are an international event with players, fans and viewers from across the globe. The opportunity for Meredith to partner with a world-class brand like Volvo Cars is a perfect fit.”
Moran notes that Family Circle and Charleston Tennis will continue to market the event to Meredith’s 100 million consumers. The tournament will continue to be owned and operated by Charleston Tennis, LLC, a subsidiary of Meredith Corporation, publisher of Family Circle.
“Volvo is a welcome addition to the tour and the event continues to be a pioneer in women’s professional sports, creating milestones that over the years have directly influenced the popularity of women’s professional tennis,” said Stacey Allaster, Chairman and CEO, WTA. “The tournament has a roster of past champions that include some of the biggest names in the history of women’s tennis including Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Tracy Austin, Steffi Graf, Gabriela Sabatini, Martina Hingis, Jennifer Capriati, Venus Williams, Justine Henin and Serena Williams.”
The Volvo Cars Open will take place April 2 – 10, 2016 on Daniel Island.
—A. Alpino, Volvo Cars Open
Tennis Atlantic 
Is Serena playing this year she wasn’t there last year but I still enjoy the games
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