Valvoline Inc. Partners with College Athletes to Raise Awareness about the Importance of Mental Health
MWN-AI** Summary
Valvoline Inc. has launched a significant initiative in partnership with student athletes from Ohio State University and the University of Tennessee to promote mental health awareness during Suicide Prevention Month. The campaign, under the slogan "Protect What Matters," emphasizes the importance of protecting mental health in conjunction with regular vehicle maintenance.
Laura Carpenter, Chief Customer Officer at Valvoline, articulated the need for this initiative, highlighting how preventive care is vital for both vehicles and mental well-being. The collaboration features prominent student athletes, including wide receiver Carnell Tate, softball pitcher Karlyn Pickens, and basketball forward Cade Phillips, who will share their personal mental health tips and experiences through social media posts. For each time these posts are shared, Valvoline will donate $1 to both Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus and East Tennessee Children's Hospital in Knoxville, with a cap of $5,000 for each institution.
The initiative is particularly timely and relevant, given the alarming statistics reported by the Centers for Disease Control, which show the suicide rate among men in the auto repair sector is double that of other industries. As a company employing over 11,000 people across its network of service centers, Valvoline aims to combat mental health stigma and contribute to better mental health outcomes within the industry.
In addition to this campaign, Valvoline has begun collaborative efforts with KVC Behavioral Healthcare Kentucky to provide training focused on suicide prevention. The company plans to reveal further partnerships aimed at mental health advocacy in the near future, solidifying its commitment to community welfare. Through these initiatives, Valvoline seeks to underscore the importance of mental well-being, paralleling its dedication to automotive care.
MWN-AI** Analysis
Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV) has recently initiated a significant partnership with student athletes from Ohio State University and the University of Tennessee to promote awareness of mental health issues during Suicide Prevention Month. This initiative is an important step forward for Valvoline, highlighting its commitment to corporate social responsibility and actively engaging in community welfare. As a financial analyst, there are notable implications of this partnership that investors should consider.
Firstly, Valvoline's initiative comes amid growing concerns about mental health in various sectors, including the automotive industry. The suicide rate among auto repair workers is alarmingly higher than in many other fields, making this campaign particularly relevant. By addressing mental health, Valvoline positions itself as a socially responsible brand, which can enhance its reputation and customer loyalty—both of which are advantageous for long-term growth.
This collaboration not only demonstrates Valvoline’s dedication to employee health but also extends to community involvement, evidenced by their donations to children's hospitals based on social media engagement. Such initiatives could strengthen Valvoline’s brand identity, potentially attracting new customers who prioritize corporate ethics.
Furthermore, as the almost $30 billion automotive aftermarket industry continues to grow, Valvoline is uniquely positioned to capture this market with its preventive maintenance services. The recent initiatives may lead to increased consumer trust, thereby driving sales and improving profitability.
Investors should watch for how this partnership impacts Valvoline's sales and market presence, as enhanced brand equity could be pivotal in achieving financial stability and growth. As such, maintaining a bullish outlook on Valvoline, particularly in light of its proactive measures towards mental health and community engagement, may yield positive returns in the long run.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
PR Newswire
Top Student Athletes from Ohio State University and the University of Tennessee Encourage Everyone to "Protect What Matters" During Suicide Prevention Month
LEXINGTON, Ky. , Sept. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV), the quick, easy, trusted leader in preventive automotive maintenance, today announced it is partnering with student athletes from Ohio State University and the University of Tennessee to encourage mental wellbeing and share the sentiment of "Protect What Matters" during Suicide Prevention Month.
"At Valvoline Inc., we understand how important regular preventive maintenance is to protect your vehicle," said Laura Carpenter , Chief Customer Officer, Valvoline Inc. "During Suicide Prevention Month and throughout the year, we want people to protect their mental health, too. We're excited to partner with student athletes from Ohio State University and the University of Tennessee to help bring awareness to the importance of taking care of your mental health."
Carnell Tate , wide receiver for Ohio State University , as well as University of Tennessee softball pitcher Karlyn Pickens and basketball forward Cade Phillips will be sharing their mental health tips and messages. For every share the posts receive, $1 will be donated to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio , and East Tennessee Children's Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee , up to $5,000 each.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control found that men working in auto repair and maintenance service positions have a suicide rate double that of those working in other industries. Valvoline Inc. employs more than 11,000 people across its 1,000 company-owned Valvoline Instant Oil Change and Great Canadian Oil Change service centers and is focusing its community involvement and corporate donations on efforts that reduce mental health stigmas and drive better mental health outcomes.
Earlier this year, the company partnered with KVC Behavioral Healthcare Kentucky to provide Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) training for KVC Kentucky clinicians. Valvoline Inc. plans to announce additional mental health partnerships in the coming weeks.
Valvoline Inc. worked closely on the NIL activities with Learfield's corporate development team in conjunction with Ohio State Sports Properties and The Vol Network, the locally based teams of Learfield – the media and technology company powering college athletics.
About Valvoline Inc.
Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV) delivers quick, easy, trusted service at more than 2,100 franchised and company-operated service centers across the United States and Canada . The company completes more than 28 million services annually system-wide, from 15-minute stay-in-your-car oil changes to a variety of manufacturer-recommended maintenance services such as wiper replacements and tire rotations. At Valvoline Inc., it all starts with our people, including 11,000 team members who are working to grow the core business, expand the company's retail network, and plan for the vehicles of the future. For more information, visit vioc.com .
About Ohio State Athletics
The Ohio State University Department of Athletics is one of the most visible, respected and accomplished programs in the nation. It ranks among the largest in terms of number of student-athletes – over 1,000 – and in number of varsity sports (36). The department is committed to providing its student-athletes with the finest in academic and athletics support in order to ensure a quality and life-enhancing experience. The department maintains entirely self-supporting operations. No student fees, tax dollars or university funds are used to support the programs of the Department of Athletics.
About Learfield
Learfield is the media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield's presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors' Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.
SM Service mark, Valvoline Inc., or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries
For Further Information
Investor Inquiries
Elizabeth Clevinger
+1 (859) 357-3155
IR@valvoline.com
Media Inquiries
Angela Davied
+1 (913) 302-0032
Media@valvoline.com
SOURCE Valvoline Inc.
FAQ**
How does Valvoline Inc. VVV plan to measure the success and impact of their partnership with college athletes in raising mental health awareness during Suicide Prevention Month?
What specific initiatives does Valvoline Inc. VVV have in place to address the high suicide rate among men in the auto repair and maintenance industry beyond the current campaign?
Can Valvoline Inc. VVV share any anticipated long-term benefits or outcomes from their mental health initiatives for both the company and the communities they serve?
How does Valvoline Inc. VVV envision expanding its mental health partnerships in the future, and what role will the college sports collaboration play in that expansion?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV).
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