The partnership, which goes through the end of 2020, includes Lockwood displaying a Vermeer logo on his bull riding shirt and vest during competitions and being a spokesperson for Vermeer through videos, social media and other marketing placements related to the Vermeer “Buck the Trend” marketing campaign.
In addition to his experience in the ring, how Lockwood spends his time during the work week makes him an ideal fit for Vermeer. Lockwood, a 22-year-old rancher from Volborg, Montana, and his family have been using Vermeer hay tools for several years, to put up around 2,000 bales per year on their 10,000-acre (4,046.9-hectares) ranch. According to Bailey Boyert, product marketing lead at Vermeer, Lockwood’s gritty work ethic, family values and rancher lifestyle embodies what the Vermeer brand is all about.
"Jess Lockwood is on top of his profession, earning millions of dollars as a professional athlete on the PBR tour, and yet you wouldn’t know it when he’s back in Montana, where he keeps busy working on the ranch, making hay and raising cattle,” said Boyert. “That’s what really appealed to us — the fact that he’s the whole package. On the bull riding side of things, he has an immense social following that will bring tremendous visibility to the Vermeer brand, and at the end of the day, he’s still truly a rancher at heart.”
Lockwood, who won his first world championship in 2017 and his second world championship at the 2019 PBR World Finals on Nov. 10, 2019, has earned several corporate sponsorships since joining the PBR in 2015 at the age of 18. “The Vermeer sponsorship is special because I’ve been using Vermeer hay tools for so many years. We’ve been using Vermeer rakes for seven or eight years now and switched to Vermeer balers three years ago, which have really changed our operation,” said Lockwood. “They’re just so reliable and handy to use. It’s easy to endorse a company like Vermeer because I truly use and stand behind the equipment and the company.”
About Jess Lockwood
Jess Lockwood (born Sept. 28, 1997) is an American professional bull rider on the PBR tour. He joined the PBR in 2015 and was named Rookie of the Year in 2016. On Nov. 5, 2017, he became the youngest PBR World Champion. He won his second PBR world championship on Nov. 10, 2019. He also became the youngest bull rider to win two world championships.
About Vermeer Corporation
Vermeer delivers a real impact in a progressing world through the manufacture of high-quality agricultural, underground construction, surface mining, tree care and environmental equipment. With a reputation for durability and reliability, that equipment is backed by localized customer service and support provided by independent dealers around the world. To learn more about Vermeer, products, the dealer network and financing options, visit Vermeer.com.
Information noted above was gathered from a third party who was advised his/her experience might be featured in marketing materials. This article contains third-party observations, advice or experiences that do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Vermeer Corporation, its affiliates or its dealers. Individual results may vary based on care and operation of machine and crop and field conditions, which may adversely affect performance. Vermeer Corporation reserves the right to make changes in engineering, design and specifications; add improvements; or discontinue manufacturing at any time without notice or obligation. Equipment shown is for illustrative purposes only and may display optional accessories or components specific to their global region. Please contact your local Vermeer dealer for more information on machine specifications.