Red Bull gives Steve Hooker wings

[Bruce Caldwell]

Red Bull gives Steve Hooker wings



World and Olympic pole vault champion Steve Hooker has been given an extra lift in the lead up to the defence of his Olympic title in London, announcing a partnership with leading energy drink Red Bull.



The sponsorship signifies the first ever Olympic gold medalist and the third Summer Olympic athlete to sign with Red Bull Australia, following triathlete Courtney Atkinson and BMX racer Luke Madill.



Currently sitting as the only athlete in world athletics to currently hold all five major titles – Olympic Games, World Championships, Commonwealth Games, World Indoor Championships and World Cup/Continental Cup – a feat never achieved by another Australian athlete, Hooker joins the likes of two-time ASP World Tour champion Mick Fanning, freestyle motorcross daredevil Robbie Maddison and Formula One driver Mark Webber on Red Bull’s athlete books.



In Melbourne to support Webber at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix this weekend, Hooker is excited by the opportunities the new partnership presents.



“One of the things I really love about being involved with Red Bull is the instant family you adopt with it,” Hooker said.



“The team are ultra helpful and resourceful, and the partnership has already provided me with the opportunity to catch up with the likes of Mick Fanning who is not only a great guy but also the ultimate competitor and performer. You can’t get enough opportunity to exchange stories and advice with athletes of his calibre.



“Mark Webber is another example of this. Having met him at the Sports Performer Awards last year, it is great to be in Melbourne to support him. What he is trying to achieve is unbelievable.



“It is certainly comforting to know I have the support of a crew like Red Bull as I tackle title defenses at both the world championships later this year and London Olympics in 2012.”



Red Bull Australia’s managing director Jason Sargent is looking forward to welcoming Hooker to the team.



“While the world of Red Bull is synonymous with action sports, Red Bull has long been the energy drink of choice for high performance athletes in a range of fields,” said managing director Jason Sargent.



“From triathlete Courtney Atkinson and Formula One driver Mark Webber, to world class athletes who run marathons, surf big waves, kick goals and throw javelins, Red Bull is a functional energy drink, specially developed for those who want to be physically and mentally at their peak.



“In pole-vaulter Steve Hooker, it’s hard to imagine anyone who could represent our brand better than a world class performer who can use his Red Bull wings to fly high and achieve success.”



The Sports Group’s managing director Mark Jones, Hooker’s commercial manager, said the partnership was a credit to Hooker’s character and a perfect fit for the 28-year-old.



“This is the first of a number of partnerships for Steve in the leap up to an important phase in his career, as he attempts to defend his numerous titles,” Jones said.



“As captain of the Australian athletics team, Steve is so well respected in Australian sport and will be a fantastic brand ambassador for Red Bull.”



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For more information, please contact:



Taryn Kirby

Jump Media Marketing

0433 665 055

taryn@jumpmedia.com.au
Mark Jones

The Sports Group

0421 038 442

mark@thesportsgroup.com.au
Alicia Monasso

Red Bull

+61 2 9023 2810

alicia.monasso@au.redbull.com





Dr Mark Stewart
Program Leader, Master of Finance. CRICOS Code 00122A
School of Economics, Finance & Marketing.
RMIT.
Level 12,
239 Bourke Street
Melbourne 3000
AUSTRALIA
ph +61 3 9925 5879, fax +61 3 9925 5986.
mob +61 419 514 521
email mark.stewart@rmit.edu.au