Communica joins Hercules Tires and Team Liquid to create first ever Hercules Tires Esports Invitational Series

Troy, MI – The phrase “skin in the game” takes on a whole new meaning as full-service integrated marketing communications firm Communica is partnering with its client, Hercules Tires, as well as Team Liquid and Rocket League to present the first Hercules Tires Esports Invitational Series, a new esports competition. Esports has become a major entertainment vehicle, with an estimated 250 million players and spectators around the world.

Communica was the catalyst in spearheading development with Twitch and Team Liquid to make Hercules Tires the official tire sponsor of the first-ever Hercules Tires Esports Invitational Series.

Team Liquid is the world’s largest and most successful professional esports team, and Hercules Tires is the first and only tire brand to sponsor a Rocket League competition.

Rocket League is an immensely popular online game, with 99.5 million people playing the game every day. It is a high-powered version of soccer (or football, depending on your global locale) where instead of on foot, the players are in a variety of vehicles.

The Hercules Tires Esports Invitational Series kicks off on October 20, and the two-part event will showcase 16 of North America’s most popular Rocket League teams including: G2; Shopify Rebellion; Torrent; XSET; Charlotte Phoenix; Pittsburgh Knights; and Oxygen Esports.

Hercules Tires Senior VP Joshua Simpson said this partnership will help further expand the brand in authentic and meaningful ways across new platforms. He said it also showcases Hercules Tires’ commitment to take innovative approaches to engage new consumers – including a new generation that participates in gaming as a form of competition – and to build relationships through a digitally focused platform.

“This unique partnership between our agency and our client Hercules Tires underscores Communica’s drive to create new and innovative promotional opportunities for our clients, especially in a product category that is typically more conservative and traditional in its approach,” said David Kanarowski, senior vice president at Communica. “Our clients appreciate that we’re always on the prowl for fresh and compelling ways for them to connect with their audiences.”

The competition will comprise 35 matches, with over 25 hours of branded broadcast. The series will be live-streamed Wednesday, Oct. 20 and Thursday, Oct. 21, and Wednesday, Oct. 27 and Thursday, Oct. 28 on Team Liquid’s Twitch channel.

All invitationals will be broadcasted and live streamed on Team Liquid’s official Twitch (twitch.tv/teamliquid). There will be sponsored chat box giveaways, live action social media posts and a virtual tailgate.

All teams will battle for major cash prizes a total of $20,000 in cash prizes: 1st place: $12,000; 2nd place: $5,000; 3rd place: $3,000.

“We’re revved up and eager to bring this event to life with Hercules, a legacy brand known for its quality and reliability,” said Team Liquid Vice President of Sales Steve Reed. “They are a natural fit for this series, where speed and precision can make a real difference in how things play out.”

The invitational marks Hercules Tires’ first-ever partnership in esports, a rapidly growing billion-dollar industry involving hundreds of millions of people around the world.