Panasonic and Spartan Race Announce Multi-Year Alliance

Panasonic Named "Official Camera" and "Official POV Action Cam" of US Reebok Spartan Race

Partnership Includes Integration with NBC Sports Coverage of Six Major Reebok Spartan Race Series Events

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Apr 15, 2015, 09:00 ET

NEWARK, N.J., April 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic, a global leader in cutting-edge consumer products, and Reebok Spartan Race, the world's leading obstacle racing series announced today a multi-year sponsorship which will highlight Panasonic's Wearable POV Action Camcorder line as well as other products from across Panasonic's portfolio of products for the home, entertainment and personal care. The partnership underscores Panasonic's growing presence in the adventure product category especially in the area of out-of-the-box rugged Wearable Action Camcorders and their highly-regarded LUMIX digital camera line-up.

The sponsorship, which will extend into the 2017 US Reebok Spartan Race season, highlights Panasonic LUMIX as the "Official Camera" and "Official Action Cam" of Reebok Spartan Race featuring the ruggedized A500 POV Wearable 4K Action Camcorder – the flagship product of the Panasonic Adventure line. Panasonic will be the presenting sponsor of the Dunk Wall obstacle at select Reebok Spartan Race events.

In addition, the Panasonic A500 Action Cam will be utilized throughout Reebok Spartan Race courses (obstacles, start/finish lines) and integrated into a Panasonic 360^o Victory Video Booth near finish lines where participants can create unique 360^o post-race videos of themselves and teammates. Course photographers will also be outfitted with Panasonic's critically-acclaimed LUMIX GH4 professional mirrorless digital camera.

A component of the Spartan Race and Panasonic partnership is integration with NBC Sports Group's coverage of six Reebok Spartan Race events in 2015 including ad spots on NBC, NBCSN, and NBC Sports' Regional Networks. Panasonic A500s will be used for the creation of unique POV content for race coverage including Panasonic's sponsorship of a Course Preview segment which will be promoted across multiple platforms. NBC Sports Group's coverage of the 2015 Reebok Spartan Race Series will begin Tuesday, July 21 at 11 p.m. ET on NBCSN with the Montana Sprint from Bigfork, Montana.

With events in 20 countries, Reebok Spartan Race has made obstacle racing one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Spartan Race is the world's leading obstacle racing series and the first of its kind to feature timing and global rankings. The global event series features races at three distances, 3+Mile/20+ Obstacle Sprint, 8+ Mile/25+ Obstacle Super and 13+ Mile/30+ Obstacle Beast, culminating each year in the Reebok Spartan Race World Championship. Reebok Spartan Race offers something for everyone, with competitive Elite heats and Open heats for all fitness levels.

"We are very excited to partner with Spartan Race -- a leader and visionary in the rapidly growing obstacle racing industry," said Julie Bauer, President, Panasonic Consumer Products Company. "The Reebok Spartan Race series and its legion of passionate participants offer the ideal setting to demonstrate the Panasonic A500 Wearable 4K Camcorder's unique and innovative ability to capture a true POV experience under extreme conditions and in stunning 4K Ultra HD resolution."

Says Joe De Sena Founder and CEO of Spartan: "Our partnership with Panasonic aligns Spartan Race with a global leader in imaging technology that makes the type of high quality and durable POV Cameras that not only can survive our events, but enables our athletes to capture and share their meaningful race experience and Spartan lifestyle content. Mud, fire and sweat look even better in 4K!"

In addition to the on-course and broadcast activations components, Panasonic will also feature a Panasonic Adventure kiosk at select Reebok Spartan Race events featuring hands-on demos of Panasonic's A500 Action Cam and other Panasonic products.

For more information about Panasonic's wide range of consumer products including its new line of adventure products, visit the Panasonic USA website at www.panasonic.com.

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Newark, NJ, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation. The company offers a wide range of consumer solutions in the U.S. including products from Ultra HD 4K TVs, Blu-ray Disc Players, LUMIX Digital Cameras, Camcorders, Home Audio, Cordless Phones, Home Appliances, Wellness, Beauty, Personal Care products and more. In Interbrand's 2014 Annual "Best Global Green Brands" report, the Panasonic brand ranked fifth overall -- the highest ranked electronics brand in the report.

To learn more about Panasonic USA's products, visit www.panasonic.com. Follow Panasonic USA on Twitter @panasonicUSA; additional company information for journalists is also available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

About Spartan Race
Founded in 2010, Spartan Race is the global leader in the sport of obstacle racing. Spartan races cater to individuals looking to test their physical limits and change their frame of reference for what they can accomplish, from everyday people looking to get off the couch and lead a fitter lifestyle, to elite endurance athletes who seek the ultimate physical test. Currently, Spartan Race offers three primary race formats, "Sprint" (3+ miles; 20+ obstacles), "Super" (8+ miles; 24+ obstacles) and "Beast" (13+ miles; 30+ obstacles), along with a shorter format race for children. Unlike other obstacle-focused events, Spartan Races are always timed, and competitors are encouraged to complete each of the primary race distances to achieve "Trifecta" status, earning medals for each finish. With over 50 races slated for the United States in 2015 and an additional 83 races scheduled across 20 countries internationally, Spartan Race urges you to change your life today by signing up to race at www.spartan.com.

SOURCE Panasonic