Publix Becomes Jaguars’ ‘Official Supermarket’

Publix Super Markets and the Jacksonville Jaguars have revealed a five-year partnership during which the grocer will serve as the “Official Supermarket of the Jaguars.” Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix joins the Jaguars “Jamboree” as one of the pro football team’s most significant corporate partners.

Publix and Jaguars executives made the partnership public last week at EverBank Field before the team’s second day of training camp. After practice, the first 750 fans in attendance received an invitation for a free Publix-hosted tailgate party.

The heart of the partnership is a program enabling Jaguars fans to take part in tailgating experiences at Jaguars games and in-store promotions at Publix. The partnership further includes presenting sponsorship of the Jaguars pregame radio show on WOKV radio, the “Publix Tailgate Show,” in which fans can win Publix gift cards and Jaguars merchandise.

Jaguars fans can also be recognized as “Tailgater of the Game” and participate in on-field contests during TV timeouts. Among the additional sponsorship elements are weekly tailgating recipes on Jaguars.com, signage inside and outside of EverBank Field, and player and cheerleader appearances during the season at various Publix stores. Additionally, the Jaguars, Publix and other key partners will team up to tackle hunger during the holiday season.

“Publix is a great brand and a highly respected part of our community,” noted Jaguars SVP of corporate partnerships Scott Massey. “Jaguars fans will feel like they’re ‘home’ when shopping at Publix during the season, as Publix is known for its terrific in-store activation. Tailgating is synonymous with football, and we [will work] with Publix to provide fun and memorable experiences to Jaguars fans each year.”

“The Jacksonville Jaguars are iconic, [and] have a great reputation and a loyal fan base in the wonderful Jacksonville community and across the nation,” said Scott Brubaker, Publix’s Jacksonville division VP, adding that the grocer would “forge a meaningful and beneficial working relationship with the Jaguars organization and partner in worthwhile community efforts.”

Privately owned and operated by its 160,000 employees, Publix has 1,072 stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee.