Horizon Therapeutics has teed up yet another sporting partnership, chipping in support for the KPMG Women's Irish Open ahead of the start of the golf tournament at the end of this summer.
Under the leadership of Tim Walbert, Horizon has used sporting events to raise its profile. The approach reflects the interests of Walbert, a CEO described as “an avid golfer” who regularly posts about golf and other sports on Twitter. The focus on marketing via golf has led Horizon to sponsor the Irish Open and sign golfers such as Pádraig Harrington, a winner of three major championships, as brand ambassadors.
The latest deal moves the Dublin-headquartered Horizon deeper into the women’s game. KPMG is the current title sponsor of the Women's Irish Open but Horizon has still found a way to get involved in the tournament, inking a “premium partnership” with the event held at Dromoland Castle.
“This partnership signifies an important milestone in our journey towards promoting equality and diversity in golf,” Mark Nolan, the managing director of Dromoland Castle, said in a statement. “With Horizon's support, we will amplify the visibility of women's golf, encourage participation and pave the way for a more inclusive future in the sport.”
News of the deal comes 16 months after Horizon became the sponsor of the Irish Open, the equivalent men’s tournament, in a six-year deal worth $15.5 million. In between the two Irish golf deals, Horizon took a step into women’s sport by becoming the presenting sponsor of the Basketball Academy run by the Chicago Sky, a WNBA team.
The deals are a way for Horizon to get its name out—and secure some perks for the bosses. In its annual financial filing, Horizon noted that it has “received tickets to various sporting events, concerts and other events in connection” with its sponsorship deals. Horizon’s executive officers have used the tickets for “personal entertainment.”
Walbert’s success at growing Horizon, a company he has led since 2008, attracted Amgen and resulted in a $27.8 billion buyout bid. The planned acquisition faces antitrust scrutiny, causing the target completion date to slip from the first half of 2023 to mid-December.