Port Adelaide and V.I.P. Home Services kicked off their Joint Major Partnership in perfect fashion as the Power opened 2012 with a thrilling win to cap the company’s game day sponsorship.
V.I.P. founder and chairman Bill Vis was an unmistakable presence at AAMI Stadium on Sunday 1 April, unveiling a tailored jacket adorned with Port Adelaide’s home guernesy which proudly - and prominently - carries his company’s brand.
See photos from the day at the bottom of the page
It was seen for the first time as he arrived at the ground and entered the Before the Bounce president’s function ahead of the Opening Round bounce-down against St Kilda.
With V.I.P. upgrading from Premier Partner and Coaches’ Sponsor to Joint Major Partner late last year, Bill - a passionate and long-time Magpies and Power supporter - had clearly found a novel way to show his colours.
“Bill had been on to us to give him a guernsey,” said Steve Olech, Port Adelaide general manager - commercial.
“We didn’t understand the reason he was chasing us so much until he showed up at the Before the Bounce function on Sunday.”
Bill had the 2012 guernsey - one of the first made with the V.I.P. branding - carefully cut up and sewn into a smart suit to show that his passion for the club goes far beyond the financial investment V.I.P. Home Services has as Joint Major Partner.
Getting looks, cheers, waves, claps and handshakes from the appreciative PAFC fans, Bill was treated like royalty at PAFC’s first game of the season.
With so many fans coming up to thank him for his support of their football club, Bill responded simply: “It’s a pleasure to be involved with the club. I am the appreciative one of such an opportunity”.
V.I.P.’S game day sponsorship involved activation which engaged supporters throughout AAMI Stadium along with guests at both Before the Bounce and in Port Adelaide’s other corporate hospitality facility Suite One.
Bill donated the right to toss the coin to a lucky supporter in Robert Hooper who was picked out from the crowd as he waved his V.I.P. clapper.
A Port Adelaide member since the Power’s inception, Robert was thrilled by the honour and continued the positive tone of V.I.P.’s big day, tossing the coin in favour of Port Adelaide captain Dom Cassisi who kicked with the wind helping the Power jump to an early lead over the Saints.
At the first Before the Bounce function for 2012 - in front of 290 corporate partners and guests - Bill spoke to master of ceremonies Mark Soderstrom from Seven News about his involvement with the club that dates back to 1997 as Major Sponsor of the Magpies.
“People have asked me about my involvement with the club and my suit all day,” Bill said.
“I’ve said: ‘There are three V’s here - the first one on the Power guernsey, the second one in my company and the third one is for victory’,” he explained, flashing the peace sign to the crowd.
Bill’s summation of his Q and A on stage with Soders would come to fruition a couple of hours later when Port Adelaide would defeat St Kilda by four points.
In the joy of the Power’s win, Bill - and that distinctive jacket - would be seen around the country, joining with the circle of players and support staff in singing the team song,
See the team - and Bill - sing the song here
The Port Adelaide Football Club urges you to support all of the partners who support your football club.
V.I.P. Home Services was established in Adelaide in 1979 and now has 1100 franchisees across the country offering a wide range of domestic and commercial cleaning, gardening and maintenance services.
If you’d like a quote or to find out more about V.I.P.’s range of services, call customer development manager Chris Hammond on 0401 014 622.
