May 22, 2025
Sponsorship
Gainbridge® Campaign Wins Sports Business Awards’ Brand Activation of the Year
Gainbridge®, a Group 1001 company, is the recipient of Sports Business Journal’s (SBJ) 2025 Sports Business Awards’ Brand Activation of the Year for Gainbridge® x Caitlin Clark at The ANNIKA LPGA.
SBJ’s Brand Activation of the Year award goes to brands that excel in developing a creative strategy and execution to bring their ideas to life through branding, creative, experiential marketing, hospitality, or other activations in sports to engage with fans/consumers.
Gainbridge’s activation involved a partnership between Gainbridge® and The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican. Gainbridge® brand ambassador and 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark participated in The ANNIKA as both a panelist at the Women’s Leadership Summit and as a player in the Pro-Am. Two Gainbridge® ambassadors and women’s sports leaders, Annika Sörenstam and Clark, teed off together for the first time. Clark also played alongside Nelly Korda, the 2024 champion of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican.
Gainbridge® also engaged its partners from Andretti Global. IndyCar drivers Colton Herta and Marcus Ericsson served as celebrity caddies in Clark’s group during the Pro-Am. Their cars were displayed so fans could get an up-close look at an IndyCar.
“The 2024 ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican was the perfect opportunity to align Gainbridge® ambassador Caitlin Clark with Annika Sörenstam and the best of the LPGA to highlight our investment in women's sports,” said Group 1001 Chief of Sponsorship Strategy and Activation Mike Nichols. “Having IndyCar drivers Colton Herta and Marcus Ericsson accelerated the activation to the next level. None of this would have been possible without our partners at Outlyr, the LPGA Tour, Andretti, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, and Excel Sports Management."
With women's basketball fans from all over the U.S. coming to support Clark, bringing together Clark, Sörenstam, and Korda demonstrated the growing popularity of women’s sports. Gainbridge® has built a meaningful sports sponsorship portfolio, committing more than 40% of its sponsorship dollars to women's sports, far exceeding the national average. In addition to being the title sponsor of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, Gainbridge® is also the title sponsor of the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge.
In an interview after playing a round at the ANNIKA, Clark said, “It was so fun. Getting to see (Nelly and Annika) do what they do up front, people would pay for that. I got to do it for free and have fun with them. Definitely a fun morning. I feel very thankful that Gainbridge® had me out here. Obviously, their support of women's sports is tremendous. Very lucky and fortunate. Hung in there, did alright. It was a good day.”
May 14, 2025
Community
Sponsorship
For the second consecutive year, Gainbridge®, a Group 1001 company, is joining forces with Parity, the premier platform for professional women athlete partnerships, and the Women’s Sports Foundation® (WSF) for a grant program that supports girls and women through sports and education.As part of the Gainbridge® Assists Powered by Parity, $222,000 will be awarded to organizations and athletes nationwide. A minimum of $5,000 will be awarded to each selected organization, with one standout recipient...
Apr 22, 2025
Sponsorship
Groundbreaking Multi-Year Agreement Introduces the Gainbridge Super League, Marking a Major Milestone for Women’s SportsThe United Soccer League (USL) and Gainbridge®, a Group 1001 company, today announced a historic, long-term partnership, making Gainbridge® the first-ever entitlement partner of a professional soccer league in the United States. As part of a multi-year agreement, Gainbridge® will become the Official Partner and Exclusive Financial Services Partner of the newly named Gainbridge ...
Apr 8, 2025
Sponsorship
Scurry to use her platform to provide more opportunities for women and youth soccer players, empower women to achieve financial goalsGainbridge®, a Group 1001 company, today announced a multi-year partnership with Hall of Fame soccer goalkeeper Briana Scurry to serve as a brand ambassador for the company. A two-time Olympic gold medalist, World Cup Champion, and trailblazer in women’s sports, Scurry will partner with Gainbridge® to provide more opportunities for women and youth soccer players, h...
Nov 18, 2024
Sponsorship
The final Parity Week by Gainbridge® grant for 2024 was announced Tuesday, November 12 at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican. Group 1001 President and CEO Dan Towriss presented Gainbridge® ambassador Caitlin Clark with the 22nd grant for $22,000 to the Caitlin Clark Foundation. “Aligning with Caitlin’s foundation is a way to make a positive impact and create a better tomorrow for women and girls in sports and education,” said Towriss. “Caitlin is not only a leader for young girls compet...
Sep 4, 2024
Sponsorship
Gainbridge®, Parity, and the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF®) announce the recipients of grants for “Parity Week by Gainbridge®:Investing in the Future of Women’s Sports.” This year, $172,000 in grants is being awarded to 22 deserving organizations and athletes that support girls and women through sports and/or education.Gainbridge®, a Group 1001 company, and its sister company Parity, a brand sponsorship platform committed to closing the gender income and opportunity gap in professional sports,...
Jun 19, 2024
Work Life
Sponsorship
Community
On June 11, Group 1001 kicked off its summer corporate volunteer program, 1001 Hours of Impact, with a wall build with Habitat for Humanity of Boone County. The aim of 1001 Hours of Impact is for employees across all offices and locations to collectively secure 1,001+ volunteer hours from June through August. True to Group 1001’s commitment to transforming communities through education and sports, Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark – brand ambassador for Gainbridge®, a Group 1001 company – and Indian...