Allstate named corporate partner of NCAA

NORTHBROOK — Allstate Insurance Co. said it has become an official Corporate Partner of the NCAA.

Through a deal with CBS Sports and Turner Sports, the partnership will expand Allstate’s presence in collegiate athletics, providing opportunities for the company to be involved around the NCAA’s 89 men’s and women’s championship events and support important educational and community initiatives.

The timing of the announcement will allow the company to leverage its partnership surrounding this year’s NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, which tips off March 13 in Dayton, Ohio with the first four and concludes with the NCAA Men’s Final Four in New Orleans March 31-April 2. To launch its NCAA partnership, Allstate will air new television commercials during coverage of the tournament on TBS, CBS, TNT, and truTV.

Allstate will have presence in New Orleans at the NCAA Men’s Final Four at Bracket Town refreshed by Coca-Cola Zero, providing fans the chance to experience basketball mayhem first hand. Allstate will offer fans the chance to participate in basketball-themed activities and for the chance to win the ultimate college sports fan prize — a trip for two to the 2013 BCS National Championship game and the 2013 NCAA Men’s Final Four in Atlanta.

“Allstate is thrilled to expand its commitment of supporting collegiate athletics and student athletes by becoming an official corporate partner of the NCAA,” said Lisa Cochrane, Allstate’s senior vice president of marketing.  “The excitement of the NCAA tournament has shown us that anything can and will happen — it’s March and it can be mayhem.”

In addition to its NCAA partnership, Allstate is the title sponsor of the Allstate Sugar Bowl and the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. The company has also contributed more than $2.4 million in general scholarship donations for successful field goal and extra point kicks as part of its Good Hands Nets program at 71 partner colleges and universities.