Coral Gables, FL (Oct. 01, 2009) – UM Athletics and its multimedia rights holder, Hurricane Sports Properties, are teaming up with Tobacco Free Florida, the statewide anti-tobacco campaign, for a one-year partnership. This marks the first time the campaign will officially back the ‘Canes, with the term coinciding with the 2009 football season.

Tobacco Free Florida will serve as presenting sponsor of all Miami Hurricanes’ Olympic sports schedule posters and be the official game sponsor for one home football game. This partnership includes involvement with Hurricane football, men’s and women’s basketball and baseball. The campaign will receive field-level signage, videoboard features and signage, visibility through www.hurricanesports.com, as well as print advertisements in the football program, basketball magazine and baseball media guide. Additionally, Tobacco Free Florida will have a presence with concourse displays and Hurricane FanZone.

According to Kim Berfield, Deputy Secretary of the Florida Department of Health, “We are thrilled to partner with the Miami Hurricanes this year and raise awareness of the Tobacco Free Florida campaign and the Florida Quitline among the thousands of fans throughout the state.”

“Tobacco Free Florida no doubt will be an impactful Athletics’ partner,” said Hurricane Sports Properties General Manager Kevin Farlow. “We look forward to kicking off this partnership and coming up with creative avenues in which we can further the organization’s desire to reach as many people with its message throughout the state as possible.”

Hurricane Sports Properties, which secured the Tobacco Free Florida relationship on behalf of UM Athletics, is joint venture between ISP Sports and Learfield Sports.

Tobacco Free Florida, the statewide youth prevention and adult cessation campaign launched in February 2008, has reached millions of Floridians through its advertising, online social media, grassroots initiatives, educational outreach and public relations efforts. Funded by the State’s tobacco settlement fund, the campaign engages culturally and economically diverse audiences with its high impact messaging. For more information on Tobacco Free Florida, please visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com.

Posted on Thursday, October 1, 2009