It's Official: Ally Financial and USGA Ink Multi-Year Deal

Rhea-AI Summary

Ally Financial Inc. becomes the presenting partner of the U.S. Women's Open and a founding partner of the U.S. National Development Program. The partnership aims to achieve media spending equity across men's and women's sports. The deal includes a multi-million-dollar corporate partnership, record-setting $12M purse for the 2024 U.S. Women's Open, and the signing of golfer Lilia Vu to Team Ally. The partnership also involves significant investment in the U.S. National Development Program to support the next generation of American golfers.

Market Research Analyst

Ally Financial's partnership with the USGA and the signing of world No. 1 golfer Lilia Vu represent strategic marketing endeavors that could significantly enhance the company's brand recognition and customer engagement. By becoming the presenting partner for the U.S. Women's Open and investing in the U.S. National Development Program, Ally is positioning itself at the forefront of gender equity in sports marketing—a move that resonates with evolving consumer values towards inclusivity and social responsibility.

Such partnerships typically aim to generate brand loyalty and can lead to an uptick in customer acquisition, especially among demographics that are highly engaged with golf and women's sports. The financial commitment to the U.S. Women's Open purse and the development program also indicates a long-term vision for Ally's brand association with the sport, potentially leading to sustained marketing benefits rather than short-lived promotional gains.

Financial Analyst

The announcement of Ally Financial's multi-million-dollar partnership with the USGA and the U.S. Women's Open, coupled with the signing of Lilia Vu, could have favorable implications for the company's stock. Investors often react positively to news that implies a company is expanding its market reach and aligning with popular and socially progressive causes. The financial sector, which includes Ally Financial, is competitive and such sponsorships can differentiate a company, potentially improving its market share and profitability.

Furthermore, the deal's potential impact on Ally's media spending goals, moving towards a 50/50 parity, is an ambitious target that could reflect positively on the company's governance and appeal to socially conscious investors. The increased media spend with NBC Universal Media may also lead to enhanced visibility for Ally, potentially affecting the company's top-line growth.

Sports Marketing Expert

The strategic move by Ally Financial to invest in women's sports, particularly in golf, is a notable trend in sports marketing where brands are increasingly recognizing the value of female athletes and events. The decision to sign the top-ranked Lilia Vu and to commit to equal spending across men's and women's sports paid media is a testament to the growing commercial viability of women's sports. This could further catalyze investment in the sector and inspire other brands to follow suit, creating a ripple effect that boosts the overall marketability of women's sports.

The record purse for the 2024 U.S. Women's Open and the involvement in the U.S. National Development Program also underscore the potential for creating a legacy impact, where Ally's brand is associated not just with high-profile events but also with the grassroots development of the sport. This dual approach can strengthen the community's perception of Ally as a brand committed to the growth and equity of the sport, which can be a powerful differentiator in the financial services sector.

• Ally becomes presenting partner of the U.S. Women's Open; founding partner of the U.S. National Development Program
• New partnership moves Ally closer to equal spending goal across men's and women's sports paid media
• Ally Signs World No. 1 Golfer Lilia Vu
• 2024 U.S. Women's Open purse set for record $12M

CHARLOTTE, N.C. and LIBERTY CORNER, N.J., Feb. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY), a financial services company with the nation's largest all-digital bank and a leading brand in women's sports, and the United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced a new multi-year, multi-million-dollar corporate partnership. Among the terms of the deal, Ally becomes the official retail banking partner of the USGA, the U.S. Open and U.S. Women's Open, and the new presenting partner for the U.S. Women's Open, the premier championship in women's golf that, since its inception in 1946, has led the way in elevating the women's game.

In addition to this partnership announcement, Ally also signed Lilia Vu to Team Ally.

"Golf is on a meteoric rise and its fanbase is more diverse than ever, bringing it in line with those who choose to bank with Ally," said Stephanie Marciano, head of sports marketing at Ally. "The USGA is best-in-class and presented us a powerful opportunity to positively impact both the women's and men's game, as well as engage a new group of sports fans across the country. We couldn't be more excited to team up and deliver on that promise together."

The USGA is a leader in the world of golf with several blue-chip partners and has for more than 125 years demonstrated a commitment to equity in the game. Ally, which is entering the national golf scene for the first time, has quickly become a well-known name in sports, specifically for its landmark commitment to media equity and focus on inclusivity across its sponsorship portfolio.

"Partnering with Ally allows us to not only continue elevating the U.S. Women's Open, but to also further our commitment to the future of the game via our U.S. National Development Program," said USGA CEO Mike Whan. "Ally has established itself as a force in sports, with a passion for equity across the industry. Its brand values and actions align perfectly with ours, and I can't wait to see what we are able to do together."

As a centerpiece of the relationship, Ally also secures presenting partner rights for the U.S. Women's Open, which will elevate its purse for the 2024 championship to $12 million, the highest in all of women's golf. The 2024 U.S. Women's Open Presented by Ally will be held at Lancaster (Pa.) Country Club, which in 2015 set attendance records. Upcoming U.S. Women's Opens will be held at Erin Hills, Riviera Country Club, Inverness Country Club, Oakmont Country Club and Pinehurst, many of which will also host U.S. Open Championships over the next decade, including the back-to-back championships in 2029 at Pinehurst. The championship is coming off a banner year at Pebble Beach, with the highest attendance since 2015, highest broadcast viewership since 2014 and set records as the most-streamed women's golf event in NBC Sports history.

Ally is a market mover in women's sports, led by its unprecedented 50/50 Pledge, which is an initiative Ally launched to reach parity across its paid media spend in men's and women's sports. This deal contributes to the 50/50 Pledge as Ally will now integrate into the USGA's best-in-class media coverage. As part of this relationship, Ally will invest significantly with NBC Universal Media as part of its media commitment, which will also give Ally category exclusivity for in-broadcast features during the U.S. Women's Open.

The deal advances Ally's goal to reach parity far ahead of schedule and now expects to be at 45/55 by the end of 2024.

The U.S. National Development Program was launched by the USGA early last year and is the country's first unified pathway to nurture the potential of America's top players, starting in competitive junior golf and progressing to the pinnacles of the sport. As a founding partner, Ally will invest millions of dollars to assist in the development and funding of the next generation of great American golfers. Through this program, Ally and the USGA hope to increase access to the sport for golfers of diverse backgrounds and help break down financial barriers for all American youth golfers.

In addition to this landmark partnership, Ally is also revealing its latest addition to Team Ally: Lilia Vu (No. 1 women's golfer in the world). Team Ally is a collective of influential athletes and creators who are teamed up with Ally to help make women's sports hard to miss.

"I'm proud to be partnering with Ally as they align with the USGA and continue their mission to change the game for women's sports and elevate the U.S. Women's Open," said Lilia Vu. "Their commitment to advancing equity in women's sports is unprecedented, and I look forward to working with their team and my fellow brand ambassadors to create change while encouraging others to do the same."

Vu will join the rest of Ally's unique brand ambassador program to advise the company on how the brand can create the biggest impact through investments in women's sports. Vu and her caddie, Cole Pensanti, will also display Ally's logo on the front of their hats during all USGA/LPGA competitions as part of their deal.

About Ally Financial

Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a financial services company with the nation's largest all-digital bank and an industry-leading auto financing business, driven by a mission to "Do It Right" and be a relentless ally for customers and communities. The company serves more than 11 million customers through a full range of online banking services (including deposits, mortgage, point-of-sale personal lending, and credit card products) and securities brokerage and investment advisory services. The company also includes a robust corporate finance business that offers capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies, as well as auto financing and insurance offerings. For more information, please visit www.ally.com and follow @allyfinancial. 

For more information and disclosures about Ally, visit https://www.ally.com/#disclosures. 

For further images and news on Ally, please visit http://media.ally.com. 

About United States Golf Association

The USGA is a nonprofit organization that celebrates, serves and advances the game of golf. Founded in 1894, we conduct many of golf's premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women's Open Presented by Ally. With The R&A, we govern the sport via a global set of playing, equipment, handicapping and amateur status rules. The USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, is home to the Association's Research and Test Center, where science and innovation are fueling a healthy and sustainable game for the future. The campus is also home to the USGA Golf Museum, where we honor the game by curating the world's most comprehensive archive of golf artifacts. To learn more, visit usga.org.

Contacts:

Justin Nicolette, Ally Financial
justin.nicolette@ally.com

Julia Pine, United States Golf Association
jpine@usga.org 

 

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SOURCE Ally Financial

FAQ

What is the significance of Ally Financial Inc.'s partnership with the U.S. Women's Open and the U.S. National Development Program?

The partnership aims to achieve media spending equity across men's and women's sports. It includes a multi-million-dollar corporate partnership, record-setting $12M purse for the 2024 U.S. Women's Open, and the signing of golfer Lilia Vu to Team Ally.

What are the key terms of the deal between Ally Financial Inc. and the United States Golf Association (USGA)?

Ally becomes the official retail banking partner of the USGA, the U.S. Open, and U.S. Women's Open, and the presenting partner for the U.S. Women's Open. The deal also involves significant investment in the U.S. National Development Program and the signing of golfer Lilia Vu to Team Ally.

What is the expected purse for the 2024 U.S. Women's Open?

The purse for the 2024 U.S. Women's Open is set for a record $12 million.

Who is Lilia Vu and what is her role in the partnership with Ally Financial Inc.?

Lilia Vu is the world's No. 1 women's golfer and has been signed to Team Ally. She will advise the company on how the brand can create the biggest impact through investments in women's sports.

What is the U.S. National Development Program, and how is Ally Financial Inc. involved?

The U.S. National Development Program is the country's first unified pathway to nurture the potential of America's top players. Ally Financial Inc. is a founding partner and will invest millions of dollars to support the development and funding of the next generation of great American golfers.