August 2002-The Gillette Company and The Kraft Group this week announced a 15-year agreement that gives Gillette exclusive naming rights to the home stadium and sports complex here of the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots of the National Football League and the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer.
The announcement was made at an afternoon press conference held by James M. Kilts, chairman and CEO, The Gillette Company, and Robert Kraft, chairman, The Kraft Group.
Under the agreement, "Gillette Stadium" now replaces "CMGI Field" as the name of the 68,000-seat, open-air facility. The Company also is receiving an extensive package of sponsorship and promotional rights in and around the venue.
"With our deep New England roots and our Company's role as a pioneer in sports marketing, this new partnership with the Kraft organization and their New England Patriots and Revolution franchises is a natural. Millions of sport fans remember Gillette's sponsorship of the World Series and other fabled sports events. The Gillette name on this state-of-the-art sports venue will be a new chapter in that grand tradition," said Mr. Kilts. "Our research shows that our consumers are great sports enthusiasts, so we know that this sponsorship gives our brands an excellent opportunity to connect with our consumers.
"We also look upon this partnership as providing the basis for enhancing our community outreach efforts within the entire Greater Boston area. In short, we are thrilled that our consumers, customers, employees and sports fans everywhere will now form a close association between Gillette and the world-class New England Patriots and Revolution franchises," Mr. Kilts added.
"This is a very exciting day for me and my family," said Robert Kraft. "As someone who grew up in the 1940s and '50s, the Gillette brand has always been synonymous with championship sporting events and has also been a world class New England institution for over a century. We are very proud of our new stadium. It is a state-of-the-art sports venue that incorporates many regional themes throughout. To now have the combined sports and New England heritage of the Gillette brand on our stadium is the perfect match."
Gillette Stadium exterior and in-bowl signage will be in place for the Patriots regular season opening game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 9. The more than 2000 interior signs will be changed during the football season.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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