Konica Minolta Announces Multi-Year Sponsorship with Collegiate Golf Phenom Beau Hossler
RAMSEY, N.J. — August 30, 2016 — Continuing to expand its brand within the golf community, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. (Konica Minolta), announced on Monday a multi-year partnership with rising golf phenomenon and winner of the 2016 Fred Haskins award as the nation’s top collegiate golfer, Beau Hossler. As part of this partnership, Hossler has agreed to serve as a global ambassador for the company and will participate in their marketing and various social media campaigns. The deal also calls for Hossler to wear the Konica Minolta logo on the sleeve of his apparel and participate in customer entertainment at select events around the country.
Hossler first came to the golf world’s attention at the 2012 United States Open after taking the lead late in the second round, and has now become one of the most decorated and highly-regarded amateurs. His decision to turn professional follows an epic junior year in which he captures five collegiate victories and the prestigious Jones Cup Invitational. He recorded his biggest amateur win in 2014 by winning the Western Amateur and also successfully defended the SGCA Amateur Championship. He then helped the United States win the World Amateur Team Championship in Japan.
In early June, the 21-year-old Hossler dislocated his shoulder on four consecutive full swings during his semifinal match at the NCAA Championship. After repeatedly falling to his knees in excruciating pain and recomposing himself, he continued to play through the pain rather than forfeit the match. After reaching the 17th hole with a one-up lead but unable to make another full swing, he elected to putt up a steep slope from the front bunker, before miraculously holing a 25-foot putt from the back fringe to seal the match and ensure Texas’ spot in the championship finals.
Hossler is expected to make a full recovery and will resume his competitive schedule in January of 2017, and will pursue sponsor’s exemptions on the PGA TOUR in an effort to secure his exempt playing privileges.
“Beau is an extraordinary athlete who represents the future of this game and we are thrilled to support someone who has proven that he is an outstanding competitor and someone we admire off the course as well,” comments Rick Taylor, president and CEO, Konica Minolta.
Says Hossler, “I am honored to partner with an iconic brand like Konica Minolta as I embark upon my professional career. They are world leaders in creating technology for business efficiency and are strong supporters of the game. I couldn’t ask for a better partner as I pursue my lifelong dream of playing on the PGA TOUR.”
Konica Minolta is the “Official Multifunction Printer of the PGA TOUR and partnered with CBS Sports bringing the popular Konica Minolta bizhub SwingVision Camera to select PGA TOUR broadcasts. The official marketing relationship with the PGA TOUR expanded in September 2015 when Konica Minolta launched a SwingVision Video Channel on PGATOUR.com. The company also invested in a co-branded social media campaign, #TOURFix, which enabled golf fans to send in videos of their swing to @PGATOUR via Twitter.
About Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. is a leader in information management focused on enterprise content, technology optimization and cloud services. Its portfolio of offerings deliver solutions to improve customers’ speed to market, manage technology costs, and facilitate the sharing of information to increase productivity. The All Covered IT Services division offers a range of IT strategy, support, project and cloud computing solutions across all verticals. Konica Minolta has won numerous awards and recognition, including placement in the Leaders Quadrant on the Gartner 2014 Magic Quadrant for Managed Print Services (MPS) and Managed Content Services (MCS). Konica Minolta has been recognized as the #1 Brand for Customer Loyalty in the MFP Office Copier Market by Brand Keys for nine consecutive years. Konica Minolta has also been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for four years in a row.
Source: Konica Minolta.
