Emerald Downs Partners With Media Agency

Emerald Downs is partnering with Merlino Bauer Media, the award-winning media buying agency, the track announced Jan. 4.

The partnership, which begins immediately, is designed to gain additional media presence and exposure for Emerald Downs throughout the Seattle-Tacoma, Wash. area and the Pacific Northwest.

"Emerald Downs is pleased to be working with one of the top media buyers in the Seattle market," said Sophia Mangalee, the track's director of marketing, in a track press release. "The racetrack continues to deliver a high value, low cost entertainment option to the Seattle sports market, and with Merlino Bauer's strategic approach to buying and planning we are on course for a big year in 2013."

Located in Seattle, Merlino Bauer Media has a diverse list of clients that includes Crystal Mountain, Darigold, MultiCare Health System, and Coinstar. In business 25 years, Merlino Bauer has won Mediaweek's "Media Plan of the Year" award an unprecedented three times in the last 10 years.

"We are very pleased to partner with a Seattle icon like Emerald Downs in the great sport of Thoroughbred racing," said Janice Merlino of Merlino Bauer. "Emerald Downs is a beautiful facility in a picturesque location, and its live racing season is held during our best weather months. It has a lot to offer."

Emerald Downs, established in 1996, begins its 2013 live racing season in mid-April and runs through September, with racing Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays.