The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has renewed its partnership with electronics giant Samsung to 2020. 

Samsung will be the official Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communication Equipment and Computing Equipment category.

The extension of the partnership between the IOC and Samsung was made official during a signing ceremony with IOC President Thomas Bach, and Jay Y. Lee, Vice Chairman at Samsung Electronics, in Nanjing, China, host of the 2nd Youth Olympic Games, which officially opened yesterday.

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “We are delighted to be able to continue our partnership with Samsung. The funding generated by the TOP Programme directly supports the staging of every Olympic Games, as well as every one of the National Olympic Committees, enabling athletes from all over the world to prepare for and compete at each Games.

“Samsung also supports the operations of each Games by providing leading wireless telecommunications and technology equipment. In addition, Samsung’s technologies and global marketing reach will engage fans around the world with the Olympic values and the Olympic Movement.”

IOC Marketing Commission Chairman Tsunekazu Takeda said: “I am delighted that we have now reached agreements with all of our existing partners through to at least 2020. This is a clear sign of the strength of the programme and the global appeal of the Olympic Games and the Olympic values.”

Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, IT & Mobile Division at Samsung Electronics, said: “Samsung aims to spread the Olympic spirit through our innovative wireless and computing technologies, enabling all fans around the world to stay connected and share the excitement of the Games. We are proud to extend our involvement in the Olympic Movement, as it is meaningful to us to inspire people through the passion that lies behind the Games and contribute to creating a smarter Olympic Games”.

Samsung will now support the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games as well as the Organisers of each Youth Olympic Games through to 2020. Samsung will also continue to support the IOC and every National Olympic Committee.

Samsung’s first Olympic Games as a Worldwide TOP Partner was the Nagano 1998 Olympic Winter Games; and Samsung is the 11th company to commit to the Worldwide TOP Programme through 2020.

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U.S. goods brand Procter & Gamble (P&G) has signed a partnership the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to support FIBA’s main competitions until 2015.

This partnership will see Head & Shoulders, the world #1 shampoo brand, take on Global Partner status, starting with the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain (30 August-14 September 2014).  Head & Shoulders will also support the FIBA World Championship for Women in Turkey (27 September-5 October 2014) and EuroBasket 2015 (5-20 September 2015).

In addition, as part of this partnership, Head & Shoulders will also support FIBA’s up-and-coming 3×3 discipline. Starting in 2015, the brand will organise an annual FIBA-endorsed Head and Shoulders 3×3 tour in a number of countries around the world. The winning team of this tour will be granted a place in FIBA’s 3×3 World Tour.

FIBA Secretary General and International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member Patrick Baumann said: “We are very pleased that another prestigious company like Procter & Gamble has chosen an iconic haircare brand Head & Shoulders to be a FIBA partner.

“I know that the brand has been a passionate sponsor for sports over the years, and like FIBA aims to help young people achieve their best performance. The brand’s commitment to our flagship events as well as the rapidly growing 3×3 discipline is good news for our sport and indicates an exciting new direction for basketball. We are committed to work closely with the Head & Shoulders brand towards a long-term partnership.”

Lisa Jennings, General Manager of the Head & Shoulders Franchise at Procter & Gamble, said: “As a world leading haircare brand we truly believe that confidence is the key to success, and nowhere is this more important than in sport. Basketball is a quick, captivating and dynamic global sport where players need to react promptly and without hesitation.

“These values perfectly match our own aspirations, because at Head & Shoulders we hope that all young people should live their own lives ‘head first’ without hesitation, whatever they choose to do. We look forward to working together with FIBA to develop a whole range of exciting activities in conjunction with this partnership.”

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Cleveland Browns have extended partnerships with two partners heading into the new season. 

The National Football League (NFL) franchise has signed long-term contracts with Anheuser-Bush and Northeast Ohio Ford Dealers, cheap the official beer partner and official vehicle of the team, healing respectively.

Through these partnerships, ed the Browns, in conjunction with Bud Light and Ford, have constructed fan decks in the east end zone that are accessible to all fans in FirstEnergy Stadium. In these areas, the newly renovated stadium will supply the Dawg Pound exceptional views of the field, as well as unique experiences through new concession and bar areas, food and beverage offerings and additional TV and LED monitors to complement the in-stadium experience.

“Particularly with this exciting renovation project, two of our consistent goals have been to enhance the fan experience at Browns events and improve our team’s home field advantage, led by the Dawg Pound,” said Browns President Alec Scheiner. “Bud Light and Ford have been exceptional partners for many years, and we appreciate their shared passion to not only improve the stadium but also to engage Browns fans and respond to their desires in innovative ways throughout the year.”

The Bud Light Balcony, located in the southeast corner on the 300 level of FirstEnergy Stadium, will feature a 360-degree bar stocked with various Anheuser-Busch products, as well as 15 HD TVs carrying live NFL action, including the Browns broadcast and NFL RedZone. When entering the Ford Zone, stationed in the northeast corner of the facility, Browns fans will be able to interact with car displays and view 10 HD TVs that will provide comprehensive NFL coverage while enjoying Browns football in person.

“The Browns have some of the most passionate and loyal fans in the NFL, and we’re excited to expand our association with the team to include the new Bud Light Balcony,” said Anheuser-Busch group director, local media Rich Gutierrez. “We’ll continue to work with the Browns and the NFL to create innovative in-stadium experiences for fans that establish an atmosphere of responsibility and sportsmanship on game days.”

“The Northeast Ohio Ford Dealers are proud to be partners with the Browns and look forward to developing a wonderful fan experience as we open our Ford Zone in the newly renovated FirstEnergy Stadium,” said Northeast Ohio Ford Dealer advertising association chairman and Liberty Auto Group President Jim Herrick.

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Aston Villa have revealed Andalucía as the Club’s official tourist destination partner for the 2014-15 season.

The region in southern Spain is visited by approximately eight million international tourists every year, including around 2.5 million from the UK, making it one of the world’s most complete tourist destinations.

Andalucía is also home to some of the largest football clubs in Spain – including past Villa pre-season opponents Malaga and the reigning Europa League champions Sevilla.

The Andalucía tourist board managing director, Francisco Artacho, said: “This is a unique opportunity to take the Andalucía brand to the British market, our principal source of tourism, considering that Aston Villa is one of the best established and most successful football clubs in England and Europe.

“The Club’s participation with our brand in the Barclays Premier League is a guaranteed success to be able to share our destination with the Premier League’s excellent audience”.

Villa acting chief executive Robin Russell commented: “We are delighted to be able to announce this partnership with Andalucía, and we welcome them to our growing number of official partners.

“The Club is excited about the opportunities that we will be able to offer our fans in the coming months as a result of the partnership. Andalucía is one of the most popular destinations in Europe and, with flights to the region available from Birmingham and East Midlands airports, we hope that more of our fans will be able to enjoy everything that it has to offer in future.”

London Welsh have announced OPRO as its official mouthguard supplier for the 2014/15 Aviva Premiership season.

OPRO mouthguards are worn by numerous professional and amateur sportsmen and women worldwide, case including international, cialis Premiership and Super 15 rugby teams and players.

London Welsh flanker Richard Thorpe said: “I’ve worn OPRO mouth guards for most of my professional career, impotent | and I am delighted they have supplied London Welsh this season. Their custom fit makes them extremely comfortable, whilst providing the required protection for the physical requirements of Professional Rugby.”

OPRO Sales Director, Richard Evans, said: “I am delighted to add London Welsh to the growing number of professional and international teams from around the world who rely on OPRO to provide protection to their players. 

“As rugby continues to become faster and more physical, the importance of wearing a properly fitting mouthguard, which offers high levels of protection whilst allowing players to perform to their maximum, is of paramount importance.”

The deal will also see OPRO as the Club’s official match day sponsor for its opening Aviva Premiership fixture of the season, against Exeter Chiefs on September 7 at the Kassam Stadium.

Everton FC has inked new two-year deal with Coral Interactive, part of Gala Coral Group, to become the Club’s Official European Betting Partner.

The new partnership will see the Club tie up with one of Europe’s leading high street betting brands to deliver a range of dedicated interactive services.

Primarily focusing on the traditional sportsbook market, the arrangement for seasons 2014/15 and 2015/16 will also see a significant contribution from the stake proceeds donated to Everton in the Community.

Richard Kenyon, Director of Marketing and Communications at Everton Football Club added: “Coral Interactive are a renowned and respected betting brand and we are delighted to become part of their sporting stable for the next two years.

“We look forward to working together and developing a partnership that covers the traditional betting and the emerging interactive markets. We also welcome the support they have shown for our charity Everton in the Community and their generous donation will go to further the important work being undertaken across Merseyside”

Commercial Director of Coral Interactive, Matt Prevost said: “We are delighted to be forming this exciting partnership with Everton Football Club. They are up there with the best football clubs in the Premier League and we look forward to providing a professional and engaging betting service to all the fans of the club.”