NEW YORK - Major League Soccer and Accor North America, the nation's largest owner/operator of economy lodging, have agreed to a media partnership to promote Accor's Red Roof Inn and Motel 6 brands. The deal provides Accor commercial and on-screen sponsorship inventory during Major League Soccer's "Soccer Saturday" broadcasts on ESPN2 for the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs.
"Major League Soccer fits well with the key geographic markets of our Red Roof Inn and Motel 6 brands," said Eric Studer, Accor Sr. VP, Advertising & Promotions. "And with the broadcast being on ESPN2, our customers can actually view the games in our rooms at our 1100 Red Roof Inns and Motel 6 properties."
The media will be equally split between the two brands. Eastern Conference games will promote the Red Roof Inn brand, while Western Conference games will feature Motel 6 commercial inventory.
The deal centers around Major League Soccer's remaining telecasts on ESPN2, along with its premier event featured on ABC Sports: MLS Cup 2005, which is located in a key Accor market, Dallas, TX. As part of the deal, Accor Hotels did have commercial and on-screen presence during the 2005 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game, which took place July 30, in Columbus, OH.
