The Los Angeles Dodgers announced an official partnership agreement with ITO EN Ltd., makers of global unsweetened tea leader Oi Ocha, that will begin with the 2025 season.
The relationship paves the way for ITO EN to be available for use with Dodgers marks for creative marketing and engagement opportunities, as well as hospitality opportunities in Los Angeles.
“The Dodgers are pleased to announce this new partnership with ITO EN,” Dodgers executive vice president and chief marketing officer Lon Rosen said in a statement. “ITO EN’s flagship tea has gained an international following, and we take pride in our association with the drink and with the company.”
In addition to their new partnership with the Dodgers, Ito En is also an official partner of Major League Baseball and the 2025 Tokyo Series presented by Guggenheim between the Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, taking place at the Tokyo Dome from March 18-19.
The agreement complements separate partnerships that Tokyo-based ITO EN has in place with Shohei Ohtani and MLB. Ohtani formalized his partnership with Oi Ocha in 2024.
“This is the second year of ITO EN’s global ambassador partnership with Shohei Ohtani, which was initiated by Ohtani’s love for Oi Ocha, and we are delighted to expand our collaboration to include MLB and Los Angeles Dodgers,” executive vice president of ITO EN Shusuke Honjo said.
“As we aim to be the ‘World’s Tea Company,’ we are confident that we will be able to further enhance the value of green tea around the world by working with Ohtani and MLB, both in Japan and across the U.S., as well as the Dodgers in the L.A. market. With this partnership agreement, we will strengthen our global strategy on Oi Ocha through promotions across the U.S. and Japan.”
Oi Ocha is sold in more than 40 countries and regions, and its cumulative sales volume has surpassed 45 billion bottles since its launch in 1989. Ever since establishing a U.S. subsidiary for Oi Ocha in 2001, ITO EN has emerged as a global tea company.
Dodgers partnerships with Japanese companies
Since signing Ohtani, the Dodgers have been busy adding international partnership agreements. Those include All Nippon Airways, Kinoshita Group, Tsukiji Gindaco, AFEELA, Yakult, THK, Kosé Corporation, Daiso, Kowa Company, Ltd., and Toyo Tires, among others.
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