High Visibility features companies, products and collections that are raising brand awareness through strategic partnerships, sponsorships, consumer advertising campaigns and tie-ins to prominent events, etc. To be considered for inclusion please contact senior editors, Deirdre Carroll or John Sailer.


With temperatures warming up, athletes are emerging from the cold and preparing for a new sports season under the beating sun. In this edition of High Visibility, we're featuring brands that are teaming up with tennis, baseball and triathlon organizations to provide high performance eyewear that protects in intense, harsh conditions.

Maui Jim has announced a global, three-year partnership with the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), becoming the official eyewear supplier of the ATP World Tour. This agreement also includes the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 arena in London. Through this partnership, the premium polarized sunglass company will have global marketing rights and an onsite presence at many of the tournaments throughout the season, engaging with tennis fans around the world. "We are delighted to have joined forces with ATP as tennis is such a great fit for Maui Jim," said Martijn van Eerde, Maui Jim's marketing director for Europe. "For us this is a milestone, an expansion of Maui Jim's tennis program and our involvement with the tennis community..."

 

As baseball season begins, Under Armour Eyewear from Eyeking is partnering with Ripken Baseball, to empower players of the next generation by providing on-field performance eyewear. The organization was founded by Cal Ripken Jr. and holds tournaments and baseball camps for kids passionate about the sport. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of 2131, Cal Ripken Jr.'s record-breaking achievement of most consecutive games played, Under Armour Eyewear is releasing two special edition sunglasses, UA Igniter 2.0 for adults and UA Nitro L for youth. The sunglasses will be available throughout the 2015 season at The Ripken Experience Powered by Under Armour in Aberdeen, Md. "In baseball, your eyes play an integral role in how well you perform on the field," said Colin Clark, vice president of brand marketing at Ripken Baseball. "That's why we're excited to partner with Under Armour Eyewear to bring the latest game day innovations to our players. Under Armour's eyewear not only comes in the new styles that young players want, but delivers on our joint vision of helping players perform their best under the safest conditions..."

 

Rudy Project takes on the Toughman Half Triathlon Series as its official helmet and sunglasses sponsor. Participants will sport the company's products through the 10 race event that will travel across the U.S. conquering a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run. "Triathlon is in our DNA and we'll work in every possible way to help grow the support," said Paul Craig, president and cofounder of Rudy Project North America. "By partnering with Toughman, Rudy Project will continue our commitment to advancing the science, diversity and spread of multisport activities, while ensuring these athletes have access to the best possible equipment to keep them focused, fast, cool and cool looking." The Toughman will visit Florida, Indiana, Wisconsin, Tupper Lake, Washington State, Minnesota, Alabama, Utah, New Mexico and New York, concluding with the Toughman Half Iron Championship Race in September at Croton Point Park.