The Hertz Corporation announced that Hertz New Zealand has signed a two-year agreement to become the naming rights sponsor of the prestigious New Zealand International Sevens Tournament, effective immediately.

The inaugural Hertz Sevens rugby event, which was sold out, was held at in Wellington, New Zealand at the Westpac Stadium. It is part of the annual HSBC Sevens World Series, which has become so popular that rugby sevens has now been accepted as an official Olympic sport, and will debut at the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Michel Taride, President of Hertz International and Executive Vice President, Hertz Corporation, said: “New Zealand International Sevens is a major annual event on the national sports calendar, featuring teams from 16 countries, attracting 35,000 fans to games and generating a massive television viewing audience in New Zealand and internationally.  We’re delighted that Hertz New Zealand has secured the naming rights for the New Zealand International Sevens Tournament in 2012 and 2013, not only because of the event’s popularity in New Zealand but also because rugby sevens worldwide is about to be elevated to the status of an Olympic sport.”

“For Hertz this sponsorship opportunity is ideal to increase awareness of our brand and introduce New Zealanders to Horatio, our new global goodwill ambassador,” he added.

To help build awareness of both the Hertz Sevens and Horatio, Hertz New Zealand has established a Horatio Facebook site at www.facebook.com/horatioNewZealand. This site will offer information, competitions and prizes to rugby sevens fans. “To be eligible to win, fans simply need to visit the Facebook page and ‘like’ Horatio,” Mr. Taride said.

Hertz Sevens General Manager, Steve Walters was delighted with the partnership and looks forward to the two-year arrangement. “Hertz is a global brand and rugby sevens is too. Our tournament is one of nine stages of the HSBC Sevens World Series which continues to grow both in competitiveness and popularity. We are excited to have Hertz on board with us and we look forward to working together to continue the success of rugby sevens both in New Zealand and internationally.”