SI For Kids Scores Soccer Partnership

Sports Illustrated For Kids is teaming up with Team Championships International to kick off a yearlong effort that will bring together 750 soccer teams and 4,500 players to attract new subscribers.

The three-day 2006 Kick-it 3-on-3 Soccer Shootout Tour commences Saturday at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida.

“The partnership provides a perfect audience for SI For Kids to reach soccer players eight- to 15-years-old and their parents who are an important constituent to us,” said Dave Watt, publisher, Sports Illustrated For Kids.

Sports Illustrated For Kids will market the tour through banners and signage throughout each sporting venue, and will offer free magazine giveaways. The strategy is to raise awareness of the New York City-based publication.

“This is a perfect way to leverage the SI For Kids brand all year round,” Watt said.

The tour is comprised of 55 qualifying and 12 regional events held throughout the U.S. culminating in a world championship held next year in Florida. Local and regional weekend soccer celebrations provide games, concessions and entertainment to more than 70,000 participants and 400,000 spectators each season.

And since the demand for the magazine is created through kids, “we just need to get parents engaged because they’re the ones to write the check or get the credit card out,” Watt said.

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