Suning, an electronics and technology retail chain, has become FC Barcelona’s first Chinese partner for the next two years with an option of a third. 

The deal is a strategic partnership that also involves a series of social and sporting projects. These include the promotion of sport among young Chinese people. In addition to typical benefits in such areas as marketing, image association rights and digital assets, Suning is planning to set up football camps and tournaments to foster the game in different Chinese cities. The winners of these competitions will enter a draw to win a trip to Barcelona to visit the Club and meet the first team players.

The agreement also makes Suning an official partner of FC Barcelona’s fan base in China. Among other projects, this will involve the launch of a Barça microsite on the official Suning website, designed to be the meeting point for FCB supporters around the country.

Statements from the Director General of FC Barcelona, Antoni Rossich, and the vice-president of the Suning Group, Sun Weiming

Director General of FC Barcelona, Antoni Rossich, said: “I would like to express my gratitude and excitement that Suning has become the first Chinese sponsor in FC Barcelona history. Personally, I am convinced that the partnership between Suning and FC Barcelona is a big step forward for the Club and brings us closer to our Chinese fans, creating successful synergies between the two organisations.”

Sun Weiming, vice-president of the Suning Group, added: “Barça has until now been one of the most successful football clubs in Europe and the world, and is the flagship team for class and skill. Its youth training system has produced global stars like Messi, Xavi and Iniesta, and has created the Masia brand. This fits perfectly with Suning’s strategic concept of transforming high technology, focused on innovative retail methods and corporate culture.”

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After winning the prestigious French Open Women’s title for the second time, sales international tennis star Maria Sharapova has secured an agreement with the Avon fragrance family as the face of Avon Luck, two new sparklingly luxurious fragrances for men and women.

She won her fifth Grand Slam title with her French Open victory over Simona Halep last Saturday and now seems to cashing in with this partnership.

“I am excited to represent Avon Luck, a fragrance that reminds us to savor and truly enjoy our triumphs,” says Sharapova. “I always say the harder you work, the luckier you are because you strive for bigger goals. I love being able to partner with a company like Avon that empowers women around the world to accomplish their dreams.”

Vice president of global fine fragrances at Avon, Danielle Bibas, suggests Maria is the perfect choice for the venture

“Maria is an amazing athlete and businesswoman who has had lots of success in life,” Danielle said. “She has this sophisticated natural beauty. She’s someone who really exudes happiness.”

Sharapova currently boasts sponsors that include Nike, Porsche, Evian, TAG Heuer, Samsung, Head and Cole Haan.

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Spend management solutions and services company Concur has announced today a multi-year sponsorship with PGA TOUR player, Jason Day.

Day is currently ranked seventh in the Official World Golf Rankings and has won 4 times globally, including the 2014 WGC Accenture Match Play Championship; finished in the Top 10 at the 2010 and 2013 PGA Championship; tied for second at the 2011 and 2013 US Open; and finished third in the Masters in 2013.

The partnership kicks off this week at the 2014 U.S. Open event in Pinehurst, North Carolina, where the Concur logo will be displayed on Day’s golf shirts during the tenure of the multi-year sponsorship deal.

“Jason Day is a tremendous competitor who has built his game on hard work, attention to detail and a willingness to compete against the best, and we’re equally impressed with who he is off the course,” said Robson Grieve, Executive Vice President of Concur. “Best of all, Jason is a global traveler and entrepreneur who instantly recognized the value that Concur offers to businesses, and he’s genuinely excited to wear the brand.”

“I learn about a lot of businesses through the PGA TOUR, and Concur really captured my attention because of their innovative approach and track record of success,” said Jason Day. “I’m looking forward to partnering with such an impressive company with a great culture I can identify with.”

The sponsorship will promote the Concur brand name as well as explore different partner and community engagement opportunities with Day.

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Harlequins have announced a three year partnership with German sports brand, adidas.

adidas will provide a new Home, Away and Training Kit for the 2014/15 Harlequins squad, as well as the club’s Big Game 7 shirt. All kits will add proven adidas technologies to augment the iconic playing shirts, including Formotionfor better fit and ClimaCool to aid with temperature regulation.

James Kendall, Harlequins Commercial Director commented: “We are really delighted to welcome adidas to the Harlequins family.

“adidas are a powerhouse in the world of sport and the partnership we have agreed highlights the ambition and potential of our club. We are truly aligned in our outlook and approach to Harlequins and rugby and I am excited for both our players and supporters that they will be wearing such an iconic jersey developed by such an iconic brand.

“adidas will bring creativity, choice and quality to our match day, training and replica kits which we have spent considerable time and effort working on. We have developed a range of clothing that will work for both players and supporters, which we can’t wait to launch next month.”

Nick Craggs, adidas Brand Director added: “We are excited to announce the new partnership with Harlequins – a rugby club steeped in tradition and outstanding achievement. We look forward to supporting Quins in the next chapter of their long and illustrious history.”

Premier League Champions Manchester City have announced today a new club partnership with insurance and financial planning company, Jiwasraya.

The two year deal will see the state-owned company become the Official Insurance Partner in Indonesia. 

As part of the partnership, Jiwasraya have the rights to produce TV ads with City’s stars, in addition to featuring the Club crest and player imagery in marketing campaigns throughout Indonesia.

Commenting on the partnership, Tom Glick, Chief Business Officer for Manchester City, said: “Jiwasraya’s outstanding reputation in Indonesia for educating people to plan for the future, in addition to their core values such as integrity and competence, make them the perfect fit for Manchester City. We look forward to working with Jiwasraya and their customers over the coming seasons to bring them closer to the game they love.

“Manchester City is extremely proud to have a rapidly growing and passionate fan base in Indonesia. This enthusiasm for football was clear for all to see in a recent City supporter event at a Jakarta shopping mall that was attended by thousands of local fans. While the launch of our Indonesian website, twitter and Facebook page has resulted in our Indonesian fans now accounting for our biggest social media following outside of the UK.”

Hendrisman Rahim, President Director of Jiwasraya, added: “Since it was founded in 1859, Jiwasraya has established itself as the best service provider and the most trustworthy investment and insurance company in Indonesia. We saw partnering with Manchester City, the current champions of the Barclays English Premier League and notably the most progressive football club in the world both in global development and fan base, as the right strategic approach to boost Jiwasraya’s brand.

“It can help us to win potential consumers’ minds, because football will always be the biggest passion of Indonesian society. Aligned with the winning-spirit of Manchester City, Jiwasraya will always seek to grow through continuous innovation as well as continuing to facilitate Indonesian society to build a better future, to be champions, together.”

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Mobile provider Truphone has become official global supplier for mobile voice and data services of the Volvo Ocean Race.

Truphone will provide global mobile voice and data services to employees of the Volvo Ocean Race for 36 months. The partnership aims to convey Truphone’s international data speed, high quality voice calls and customer service across 66 countries.

The race spans 38,739 nautical miles, 11 countries and five oceans. It begins in Alicante, Spain on October 4 2014 and ends in Gothenburg, Sweden on June 27 2015.

This will be the 12th running of an event first held in 1973 when it was launched as the Whitbread Round the World Race. It is one of the three major events in sailing, together with the Olympics and the America’s Cup.

Knut Frostad, CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race, said: We have employees travelling around the world and providers spread across five continents. It is crucial that we are always connected – 24 hours a day, without surprises, with seamless communications, with the best voice quality and high speed data. In this new edition, we can count on a single partner in Truphone capable of providing extreme mobility of the kind we need around the world.”

Meanwhile, Steve Robertson, CEO of Truphone, commented: “We are proud to have been chosen as the Official Supplier of Mobile Communications for The Volvo Ocean Race. It’s a truly global event that embodies the spirit of passion for innovation and performance – values which are deeply embedded in Truphone’s DNA.

“The Race pushes people to the extreme limit of their skills, their emotions and their endurance. We’re thrilled to be a part of the team – providing the global mobile network that enables the Volvo Ocean Race employees to share these experiences with the people that matter most.”