Kumho Sponsors Man U.'s North America Tour

Looking to "capitalized on the momentum of the 2010 World Cup soccer tournament and America’s growing interest in soccer," Kumho Tire USA sponsored the recent North American tour by English Premier League’s Manchester United.

“Widely regarded as the world’s most popular and successful club soccer team, Manchester United boasts millions of fans worldwide and is considered the most valuable sports franchise in the world, ahead of the New York Yankees,” Kumho said.

The 2010 Man U. tour began in Toronto on July 16, where Kumho Tire USA executives and select dealers enjoyed a match between Man U. and Scotland’s Celtic FC. Additional stops in the 2010 Tour included Philadelphia and Kansas City, and the tour culminated in Houston where Manchester United played the MLS All-Stars in the league’s annual All-Star game televised live on ESPN.

Parent company Kumho Tire Corp. has been a platinum sponsor of Manchester United since 2007.

Kumho Tire USA’s huge presence at the games included pre-game interactive fan zone areas that demonstrated Kumho’s complete product line, in-stadium ads, and opportunities for local Kumho dealers to attend.

“This sponsorship generated tremendous excitement for our dealers, our loyal customers, our new fans and also our employees. I’m confident that this excitement will lead to increased visibility for Kumho and increased sales for our dealers.” said Rick Brennan, Kumho’s vice president of marketing. “We plan to increase our efforts in sports marketing programs in the coming months and engage passionate fans at their events.”

Ascot Supply Corporation, based in Newnan, Georgia, has selected Mark Paquette for the newly created position of vice president. In this position, Ascot Supply said Paquette will oversee the growth of the company's products, corporate profitability, manage marketing and advertising and assume many other responsibilities.

He will work under the direction of current President David Kessler and officially begin his new role on June 3. Paquette joined the tire and automotive industry in the early 1980s at his father's tire shop, and his contributions to Mohawk Rubber Sales were instrumental in the company's growth and eventual sale to Myers Tire Supply in 2021, according to Ascot Supply. Paquette eventually was given a promotion to the role of director of operations at Myers Tire Supply.