UPS inks Big Brown marketing deal

The shipping giant wants to capitalize on the Kentucky Derby winner

	Kent Desormeaux rides Big Brown to a victory during the 134th Kentucky Derby.
Ed Reinke / AP

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updated 7:08 p.m. ET May 9, 2008

ATLANTA - UPS believes Big Brown is the complete package.

The shipping giant is trying to capitalize on the Kentucky Derby winner, whose minority owner named the horse in the company's honor.

The company said Friday it has signed a marketing agreement with jockey Kent Desormeaux and Big Brown's owners. UPS, also known as United Parcel Service, will be the exclusive marketing partner of the Big Brown team.

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The deal calls for the company logo to be the sole corporate sponsor logo on Desormeaux's racing pants during the Preakness Stakes on May 17 and the Belmont Stakes three weeks later.

The jockey also will don a UPS cap after the races. Brown is the main color on UPS' delivery trucks and the word and color are a focus of its advertising.

Paul Pompa Jr. named Big Brown in honor of UPS, a client of his trucking business. He sold a 75 percent interest in the colt to IEAH Stable for about $3 million after his first race.