UGG Australia, ampoule a division of Deckers Outdoor Corporation, unhealthy has announced today the launch of a new integrated UGG for Men campaign for the Fall 2012 season featuring quarterback Tom Brady.

Premiering on September 4, cheap 2012, the new integrated campaign will include TV, Print, Digital Display and Online Videos, OOH, Mobile, Social, and PR.

The Fall 2012 campaign continues UGG Australia’s dedicated marketing support behind their men’s line, which launched Fall 2011.

The creative campaign, produced by M&C Saatchi Los Angeles, illustrates the visceral duality that UGG footwear provides men by juxtaposing the comfortable, luxurious sheepskin inside with the rugged, masculine design outside. The breadth and depth of the Men’s collection is now extensive and includes year-around styles, such as: rugged boots, casual shoes, slippers, cold weather boots, cold weather accessories, sneakers, flip flops and more.

Directed by the Guard Brothers, the “Invisible Game” TV spot and online video showcases UGG for Men through Tom Brady who embodies the authentic, effortless style that is at the foundation of every product UGG makes. Tom Brady has the ability to bring millions of people together with the way he plays football. Whether you are a fan or not, you’re drawn to watching him. This spot highlights the unique effect he has on the world through the eyes of a boy, who happens to see him at the airport.

The “Invisible Game” spot is supported by product focused digital displays and OOH creative that works off the airport theme and highlights the different styles that all the male actors are wearing in the spot. UGG Australia wanted to convey the ruggedness, quality and comfort inherent in its footwear in situations where men are active and on the move.

“The Fall 2012 UGG for Men campaign continues to expand perception and showcase the variety of authentic products in the Men’s line,” said Connie Rishwain, President, UGG Australia. “What better way to illustrate this than with Tom Brady, a leader who truly embodies the brand.”

The TV spot will begin airing on September 4^th as a lead up to the first of the NFL season on September 9^th. The behind the scenes video for “Invisible Game” will release the week prior via social platforms and the UGG Australia site. The digital portion of the campaign will also run on CBS.com, Complex.com, Hulu.com, NFL.com, Pandora.com and YouTube.com.

Mclaren Formula One team have attained new sponsors energy drink Lucozade and their manufacturer company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)  as they look to improve their commercial situation.

The sponsorship deal with Lucozade will supply both Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton with a range of sports nutrition products and the company’s logos will be seen on the cars and driver overalls.

McLaren team doctor Aki Hintsa, said: “People often think of the unique demands placed on the human body during a Grand Prix, but few consider the overall human performance that’s needed to maintain the strength and spirit of a team of almost 100 individuals as they travel across the world for nine months of the year.

“Whether it’s spending long days working outdoors in the cold temperatures of the European winter, or spending race weekends in hot and humid countries like Malaysia, Singapore and India, effective physical and mental co-ordination through hydration is vital.”

The other deal involves Lucozade producer GSK a pharmaceutical giant and Olympic partner also agreed a deal with Mclaren

The partnership will utilise their analytical, strategic and data management expertise.

McLaren will help develop new efficient planning processes, data modelling tools and real time monitoring and forecasting among a range of other services.

GSK, the laboratory service provider to the Olympic Games, believes that McLaren’s technological acumen will deliver a real competitive advantage to their work.

McLaren will work on GSK’s manufacturing, research and development, and consumer healthcare businesses, which cover brands including already mentioned Lucozade, Panadol and Sensodyne.

GSK chief executive Andrew Witty said: “I am delighted to announce this partnership with McLaren, which brings together two British companies whose continued success hinges on the ability to innovate and rapidly respond to change and competitor activity. McLaren has an unparalleled reputation for innovation, built on rigorous analytics and fast decision-making.

“This partnership is another example of GSK looking outside its sector for inspiration and fresh perspectives on how we can achieve our strategic goals in an ever more challenging and fast-changing business environment.”

As part of the agreement, a state of the art learning facility will be built, called the McLaren GSK Centre for Applied Performance at Woking, Surrey, by the McLaren Technology Centre.

It will be for employees of both organisations to collaborate, share ideas and innovate together, and will open in 2013.

McLaren executive chairman Ron Dennis said: “This all-new collaboration between McLaren Group and GSK – McLaren’s first ever such association with a major pharmaceutical corporation – represents a groundbreaking strategic partnership that engages two great British companies at a variety of levels across a number of disciplines in a multi-faceted and ground-breaking way.

“This new partnership is a pioneering and game-changing initiative that will play to the UK’s strengths as a globally competitive industrial powerhouse for science, engineering, technology and R&D. In today’s challenging economic conditions, we firmly believe that innovative associations such as ours will play an increasingly significant role in ensuring that the UK remains globally competitive in the field of scientific innovation.”

Having stated earlier this week that negotiations between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and its players union were “open and robust”, which was a good thing according to David Stern, the league’s commissioner has now admitted that the two parties remain “very far apart” after two days of negotiations on a new labor accord.

With just 3 weeks remaining on the current agreement, Stern stated: “We’re not where we started, but we’re not anywhere near where we need to be. We’re not any place close to a deal.”

The talks will now continue on June 14 in Miami if there is a Game 7 of the NBA finals between the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks, currently tied 2-2, or in New York if the series has concluded.

With the collective bargaining agreement set to expire on June 30, both Stern and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Derek Fisher, president of the National Basketball Players Association, used the phrase “very far apart” to characterize the state of the talks. Billy Hunter, the union’s executive director, called the two sides “miles apart.”

The talks this week included almost all of the NBA’s labor relations committee as well as the executive committee of the union. The two sides have discussed the split of basketball- related income between the players and owners, of which 57 per cent currently goes to the players, and issues such as what type of salary cap can work in a new labor accord.

Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), remains hopeful that cricket will make its entry into the Olympic Games at some point as the Belgian is known to be a huge fan of the sport. 

Rogge said in an interview published in London’s Evening Standard: “The International Cricket Council (ICC) will decide at the end of June whether they will make an application. The incoming president might be interested. We would welcome an application. It’s an important, popular sport and very powerful on television. It’s a sport with a great tradition where mostly you have a respect of the ethics. In the Olympics, it will not be Test cricket, of course.

“Let’s be very clear, I can’t play cricket, but I know the rules. I love the game. I have watched Sachin Tendulkar, Kevin Pietersen, Shane Warne, Ian Botham. It’s tactically very interesting, a game of patience, a game of great skills and the only sport where, after five days, you can have a draw!”

FIM vice president Jorge Viegas has revealed his candidacy to become FIM president. 

The former Estoril CEO revealed his candidacy in a letter to the national federations affilliated to FIM.

He said: “For a stronger FIM, rx the National Federations must have a stronger role!”

“This will be the central message of my candidature to the Presidency of the FIM.

“As you know, I have been Deputy-President for the past four years, working at the same time as chairman of the Finances and the Affiliation Committees, participating also in the Strategic Plan and in the Human Resources Committees.

“I am announcing now that I will be a candidate for President because I prefer to be clear in my intentions and avoid all misunderstandings. With your support I want to be the next F.I.M. President because I know I am prepared and I can do a good job in bringing back the F.I.M. to the level it deserves, with the effective contribution of all of the “family” – Continental Unions, National Federations, Commissions members and Administration.”

Viegas will take on Vito Ippolito, who has held the position since 2006, for the role.

Seven sports in the UK have had their funding withdrawn by UK Sport ahead of Rio 2016 it was announced today.

The other Olympic and Paralympic sports include Basketball, synchronised swimming, water polo, weightlifting, five a side football, goalball and wheelchair fencing.

Two sports have had their funding reduced, including badminton and swimming which has seen it’s funding reduced by £500k. A further 34 elite sports had their funding either increased or unchanged.

The announcement was made by UK Sport which is funded by the National Lottery and the Government as part of their annual funding review process. In December 2012 it announced that it would be increasing it’s elite sport programme by 11% from £264 million for London 2012 to a record £347 million for Rio 2016. However, the agency says some sports have little chance of achieving a medal at the next Games which is why they’re losing all their investment.

British Basketball is one of the sports that will lose its funding. Roger Moreland, Performance Chairman of British Basketball told Sky Sports News he would be appealing. He said: “British Basketball is desperately disappointed for the players, coaches, staff and basketball community in this country. One of the factors in restoring funding last year was on the basis of our medal potential for Tokyo 2020 and we still believe all the indicators for our senior and age group teams show the strength of the programme is building towards that aim”.

British Swimming Chief Executive David Sparkes also stated he was disappointed by the news and confirmed they would consider appealing the decision in order to secure financial support. “We will now carefully look at our options and, in due course, may well consider a more formal appeal over these devastating decisions,” he said in an official statement.

Liz Nicholl, Chief Executive of UK Sport, said “This is a very significant point on our journey to Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. The high level goal of winning more Olympic and Paralympic medals at the next Summer Games is very challenging. We know that if we continue to focus our energy and resources we can deliver our commitment to Government, build on that success in London, and make this nation proud again.

Minister for Sport, Helen Grant, said: “The ambition to win more medals in Rio than we did in London is huge and will not be easy to achieve. UK Sport’s strategy has shown through the incredible results at the Beijing and London Games that it works. I am pleased that 36 sports have strong talent pathways in place that could result in medals for Britain in either Rio 2016 or Tokyo 2020”.

UK Sports say it will re-invest the money withdrawn from some sports into other elite programmes.

Manchester in England will host the 2018 FIL Men’s World Championship, the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) has announced.

English Lacrosse will host the quadrennial event at the Armitage Centre, Fallowfield with support from Manchester Council, Manchester University and Sport England. As many as 40 countries are due to compete.

“The successful games which were hosted here in Manchester in 2010 were a major factor in the FIL decision and we are looking forward to welcoming the world to England once again.” said Mark Coups, CEO.

This is the second time that English Lacrosse will have hosted the prestigious Lacrosse tournament in the past decade, as Manchester was the venue for the 2010 games.

English Lacrosse are expecting over 1,000 athletes to compete in the 2018 with over 30,000 spectators expected to attend. In 2010 the World Championships contributed over £5.2 million to the local economy and 2018 is expected to be even bigger.

“We are extremely confident that English Lacrosse, having successfully hosted the 2010 Championship, will again run an event that FIL and the International lacrosse community will be proud of.” said FIL President Stan Cockerton.

The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has hired IMG, the global sports, fashion and media business, to assist in the delivery of the inaugural franchise-based tournament. 

IMG will advise on the operational and commercial execution of the tournament and be responsible for television production and media distribution.  

CPL Chief Executive Officer Damien O’Donohoe said he was delighted IMG would be involved in the tournament.

“IMG will bring with them a wealth of commercial, financial and organisational knowledge to aid the CPL team we are assembling,” he said.

“They know cricket and they know Twenty20 cricket as they have a proven track record in T20 leagues.”

“On top of that, they have worked with several cricket boards over many years and, most notably from our perspective, that includes a long-standing relationship with West Indies cricket so they know the Caribbean too.

“Having a company with their level of experience across a range of areas will help to ensure we are able to work together and build the necessary platform to produce an exciting and memorable event,” added Mr O’Donohoe.

Andrew Wildblood, Executive Vice-President of IMG, said: “It is a privilege for IMG to be involved in the development of the Caribbean Premier League.

“Our long experience of working in the region, allied to our wide ranging involvement in the sport of cricket will enable us to make a valuable contribution to the delivery of the CPL.

“The CPL is a wonderful opportunity for IMG to try to contribute to the next stage of development of cricket in the West Indies. The West Indies is one of the most important cricket regions in the world, a region that every true cricket fan cares about passionately, and one which has contributed so much to international cricket in the past with a flavour and atmosphere all of its own. IMG produced the first ever internationally distributed live coverage of international cricket in the West Indies in 1990 and we have been involved there ever since 

“That West Indies are the current World Twenty20 champions and Chris Gayle’s astonishing 175 not out in the IPL adds to the positive feel around this project and we are looking forward to being part of the CPL which will showcase the fabulous talent that the region continues to produce alongside a wealth of international stars.”

The agreement with IMG is the latest part of the organisational structure to be put in place by CPL organisers as the tournament, set to get underway on 30 July, moves ever closer.

Six top West Indies stars have already been confirmed as franchise players – Dwayne Bravo, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy and Marlon Samuels.

Also confirmed are the six overseas icon players – former Australia captains Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting, ex-New Zealand captain Ross Taylor, Pakistan Twenty20 International captain Mohammad Hafeez, Herschelle Gibbs of South Africa and Sri Lanka spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan.