For the upcoming F1 season, beginning March 17, Marriott International is revving up and expanding its marketing partnership with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport.
The big winners will be the members of Marriott’s newly renamed travel program Marriott Bonvoy, which replaced Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG).
“Our marketing partnership with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport team will give Marriott Bonvoy members, many of whom are fans of the team, the opportunity to pursue their passion for the sport,” said Karin Timpone, Global Marketing Officer, Marriott International.
Among some of the money-can’t-buy experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments – the travel program’s experiential platform – that members will be able to bid on with their Marriott Bonvoy points are:
– Spending the night on the exclusive Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport luxury yacht during the Monaco Grand Prix and enjoying full hospitality during race weekend.
– Being chauffeured by Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas to the circuit on race day.
– Being driven around the track in a high-performance Mercedes-AMG car by a professional driver during race weekend.
– Learning the ropes from the experts themselves in the Pit Stop Challenge.
These Marriott Bonvoy Moments will be in addition to other member experiences, including behind the scenes access with the team over Grands Prix weekends for the ultimate fan selfie, where drivers, media and celebrities hang out, visits to the team garage, and prime viewing venues and other experiences at races throughout the season.
“We are delighted to expand our marketing partnership with Marriott International”, said Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport. “We can already look back on a very successful seven years together, but now we’re taking our marketing partnership to a whole new level. The extension proves that Formula One keeps growing as a marketing platform for leading global brands who want to further strengthen their brand awareness and value. In addition to access to a huge, global audience, F1 offers the possibility to deliver unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences to partners and their customers thanks to the equally exciting and exclusive nature of the sport. We are pleased to be delivering those experiences to Marriott Bonvoy members.”
The new agreement not only extends the marketing partnership of seven years, but also significantly expands it. For example, going beyond typical meet and greets to creating opportunities for members to spend time with the drivers in relaxed and luxurious environments.
Under the terms of the multi-year agreement, Marriott Bonvoy will become the racing team’s “Official Hotel Loyalty Program,” while The Ritz-Carlton, one of Marriott’s luxury brands, will become the team’s first ever “Official Hotel Partner.” Logos for Marriott Bonvoy and The Ritz-Carlton will appear on the racing suits of the drivers Hamilton and Bottas, whilst Marriott Bonvoy will be the team’s first partner brand on the car’s halo. The Ritz-Carlton will bring its legendary service to the team’s premium at-track VIP hospitality space, the Silver Arrows Lounge, which will be called The Ritz-Carlton Silver Arrows Lounge in select markets. And amongst wider marketing initiatives, Marriott Bonvoy and The Ritz-Carlton brand will bring the partnership to life for guests through social media, in-room TV and Marriott Bonvoy Traveler – the company’s popular digital magazine.
