Toyota catches Shark

GOLFING legend Greg Norman's association with Holden has ended and he is now linked with Toyota Australia in a new promotional deal.

Holden's endorsement arrangement with Norman, which included the golfer putting his name to the Statesman International model while Holden was the main sponsor of his international golf tournament, expired at the end of last year.

The car-maker had a three-month period in which to renew the deal but chose not to, deciding instead to direct sponsorship funds towards other projects.

Norman has now signed a three-year contract to become Toyota's ambassador in Australia.

The Toyota-Norman agreement grew out of a meeting between the golfer and Toyota Australia senior executive vice-president John Conomos and was negotiated on a personal level between the two men.

"Basically John Conomos and Greg Norman agreed that they wanted to work together," Toyota Australia media relations manager Mike Breen said.

"It is now up to their management teams to work out how we are going to go about doing it." Although details of the endorsement arrangement are yet to be finalised, it is expected Norman will feature in both television commercials and press advertisements for Toyota products.

The company plans to use its association with Norman to benefit the brand as a whole, rather than any specific models.

Norman will be in Australia within the next three months to announce more details of the new venture.