Eckrich Extends Partnership with Kirk Herbstreit
Eckrich, a brand of Cincinnati, Ohio-based John Morrell Food Group, has extended its current spokesperson agreement with Emmy-winning college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit (right), in support of its efforts to bring the excitement of college football to the Eckrich brand. Herbstreit will remain the spokesperson through 2016.
Since the initial partnership in 2008, Herbstreit has spoken to millions of college football fans about Eckrich products – including smoked sausage, deli meat, franks and lunchmeats – and has been featured in the brand’s advertising and promotional materials.
"Kirk (Herbstreit) has been a tremendous ambassador for Eckrich for the past four years," said Charles Gitkin, VP, marketing, innovation and R&D for the John Morrell Food Group. "He has helped connect the enthusiasm of college football to our consumers. This extension means Kirk will continue to bring his passion for college football and our brand to fans for years to come."
As part of the partnership, Eckrich and Herbstreit will also continue their support of Operation Homefront, a nonprofit which provides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of military service members and wounded warriors.
In a statement, Herbstreit noted how honored he is to extend the partnership with Eckrich, adding that it’s “been great to share the brand and its products with all college football fans. Their products align perfectly with the atmosphere of a college game day experience.” Regarding his work with Operation Homefront, Herbstreit added that “As a husband and father, it's important to me that I align myself with a company that believes in helping others, especially our military families,” he said.
Herbstreit has been the co-host and lead analyst on ESPN's award-winning "College Gameday" program since 1996. He has also served as the analyst for ABC's Saturday night prime time college football broadcast since 2006. In 2010 and 2011, Herbstreit won the Sports Emmy Award for television's Best Studio Analyst.
The John Morrell Food Group offers several national and regional brands including Armour, Eckrich, John Morrell, Curly's, Patrick Cudahy, Carando, Healthy Ones, Margherita, Kretschmar, and LunchMakers.