SPIRE CU Signs Former Twins Right Fielder in New Partnership Deal
Longtime Minnesota Twins player Tony Oliva becomes the new face of SPIRE in a new ad campaign.
In Minnesota, Tony Oliva is best known for his days spent as the Twins right fielder and designated hitter during his Major League Baseball seasons that spanned from 1962-1976. He was considered one of the league’s best hitters and was on the All-Star team eight times. Later this summer, Oliva will be inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Last week, the Falcon Heights, Minn.-based SPIRE Credit Union ($2 billion in assets, 146,356 members) announced it had signed a partnership deal with Oliva to become the credit union’s new face and personality in a series of upcoming advertisements.
According to an announcement from SPIRE on Friday, the partnership deal will consist of television commercials and other promotions, as well as SPIRE supporting the Twins Community Fund and other charities chosen by the 83-year-old baseball great who has called Minnesota home for decades.
“Tony and his family care deeply about Minnesota and the people in it, and those are the same values that drive us at SPIRE every single day,” SPIRE President/CEO Dan Stoltz said. “We are thrilled to have Tony join us in our mission to improve lives.”
Financial details of the partnership were not disclosed. In a statement, Stoltz said Oliva’s charitable work in the greater Minneapolis community over the years rang true to SPIRE’s vision of “people helping people.”
“We can’t wait for our members to learn what Minnesota sports fans have always known: That Tony is a genuine person who believes in helping others,” Stoltz said. “Our values at SPIRE align perfectly with Tony’s, and we are so excited to work together.”
According to the announcement, the new ads and promotions will begin running this summer. Oliva is set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 24.