- Multi-City Basketball Tour To Reach 35 Markets -

(BLACK PR WIRE)--NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--VIBE Magazine today announced a promotional alliance with Hoop It Up, the world’s largest participatory 3on3 basketball tournament program, with competitions in 35 cities. Launched in 1989, Hoop It Up tournaments provide local players in all age divisions the opportunity to compete with a focus on health, fitness and fun. Regional winners of the tour, which begins March 26, in Austin TX qualify for the Hoop It Up World Championships, held in Miami FL in August.

The multi-platform partnership will leverage the VIBE Lifestyle Network assets including VIBE digital, VIBE Cityguide App, editorial coverage and promotion in VIBE and a highly integrated social media campaign with a strong VIBE branded presence at all Hoop it Up live events nationwide.

“VIBE is excited to be Hoop It Up’s media partner, allowing a tent-pole platform for advertisers to reach consumers on the grassroots level,” said Len Burnett, Co-CEO & Group Publisher of VIBE. “VIBE platforms deliver a fully integrated opportunity for entertainment and media.”

“With 40,000 projected participants and 200,000 projected spectators in 2011, VIBE’s urban cachet enables us to extend Hoop it Up’s existing health and fitness programs to a wider audience for broader participation,” said Dan Cramer, Hoop it Up President.

About VIBE Lifestyle Network

VIBE Lifestyle Network is the parent company of VIBE Magazine and VIBE.com and is the premier destination for the hip-hop generation. VIBE Lifestyle Network is a vertical content and advertising network which represents over 25 websites reaching over 19 million unique users per month. VIBE Magazine is published six times per year and reaches 300,000 readers with the latest in hip hop entertainment, fashion and trends. VIBE.com and VIBE Lifestyle Network are the premier destinations for urban music, entertainment, culture and lifestyle for the aspirational 18-34 year old.

About Hoop it Up

Hoop It Up’s tournaments, in over 35 markets, include male, female and co-ed half-court competitions along with a wide variety of basketball-related activities and entertainment. Hoop It Up's parent company, Lagardère Unlimited, is a global sports agency specializing in talent representation, event production and management, television and new media production, sales of broadcast rights, content development, and corporate marketing consultation. Registration for Hoop It Up is available at HoopItUp.com.

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