• by Tanya Gazdik , June 17, 2014

Esurance is partnering with the San Francisco 49ers in a multi-year deal and will be the official sponsor of the NFL teams’ new fan loyalty/rewards program, Faithful 49.

The program is different than other NFL team rewards programs, according to the direct-to-consumer insurance provider. It is completely digital/mobile based, with integration into the 49ers team app and Levi’s stadium app. Much of the “yards” a fan can earn are based on year-round social activity and engagement, versus spending money in-season.

The rewards are geared toward enhancing the fan experience, offering perks such as a road trip with team, lunch with coach and photo ops with cheerleaders.

“The 49ers are one of the most storied and successful franchises in the NFL, and their innovative use of technology and social media in the Faithful 49 program mirrors the way that Esurance leverages technology to put its own customers first,” said Esurance President and CEO Gary Tolman, in a release. “We are looking forward to connecting with loyal 49er fans and creating exciting new opportunities for Esurance customers to be a part of the 49ers’ success on and off the field.”

Esurance’s partnership includes digital signage and other promotional elements within Levi’s Stadium as well as permanent branding on the homepage of the Faithful 49 program and promotion on the team’s mobile app and www.49ers.com.

Enrollment for Faithful 49 presented by Esurance is now open at www.Faithful49.com.

Even before the football season begins, fans will be able to gain yards (the program’s digital currency) by engaging with the team digitally and socially, as well as shopping at Levi’s Stadium and other 49ers businesses. The point-tracking system of gaining yards will be tracked throughout the entire year and reset following the Super Bowl.

Fans will also have the opportunity to compete with one another for exclusive memorabilia and experiences such as a trip to a 49ers road game on the team plane, lunch with a player, autographed items and Levi’s Stadium event tickets.

In addition to redeeming their yards for rewards at any point during the season, fans can also gain benefits based on where their yardage total ranks relative to others. The 49 highest-ranked fans each season will receive a personalized custom letterman’s jacket and field passes, amongst other exclusive benefits available throughout the following season.

Participation in the program will be the preferred method for 49ers fans to secure single-game tickets to 49ers home games. The 49ers will use Faithful 49 rank to prioritize access to the limited inventory of single-game tickets that will be available each season.