Korean Pharmaceutical company Cho-A Pharm has become Manchester United’s Official Pharmaceuticals partner in South Korea and Vietnam in a new multi-year sponsorship deal.

The partnership will see Club imagery placed on Cho-A Pharm’s diverse range of products including nutritional and dietary supplements as well as over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.

Through this relationship, case Cho-A Pharm will introduce various integrated marketing and social initiatives in Korea and Vietnam. 

Richard Arnold, generic Group Managing Director at Manchester United, said: “With an on-going commitment to product innovation, coupled with a desire to be an industry thought leader, Cho-A is a market leader in South Korea and Vietnam.

“Cho-A has impressive plans to globalise its business and a commitment to empowering aspiring footballers in the two markets through the partnership with Manchester United. With over 40 million Manchester United followers in South Korea and Vietnam, Cho-A gives us another fantastic opportunity to engage our fans in the region.”

Seong-Hwan Cho, President and CEO of Cho-A Pharm Co. Ltd, added: “Cho-A is proud to be partnering with Manchester United, one of the most prestigious football clubs in the world. We look forward to generating consumers’ interest in our brand and products by leveraging Manchester United’s strong global brand equity.”

Aviva Premiership team Harlequins have today signed a new five-year deal with DHL.

The landmark deal will see the world’s leading logistics company become the club’s new main partner. 

Harlequins Chief Executive David Ellis commented: “Securing DHL as Harlequins long-term main partner is tremendous for the club. It’s really exciting for Harlequins to have signed with a company of DHL’s stature.

“DHL has been part of the Harlequins family since 2012 and our relationship has flourished during that time. They have proven to be a partner who really understands our sport and the values that drive it.”

DHL Express UK and Ireland CEO, Phil Couchman added: “As DHL’s own values are embedded in the qualities of teamwork, passion, and commitment, we’re delighted to partner with a club that is so aligned with us.

“As a leading brand in world rugby, we look forward to seeing the Quins’ success over the coming years on a global scale.

“Backed by a worldwide network and years of practice on the global playing field, this partnership’s a perfect fit for DHL internationally.”

The Tour de France 2014 has signed a new partner with McCain Foods coming on board as an official supplier.

This year, canada ed for the first time, the historic race starts from Yorkshire, the home of McCain Foods. The Tour de France Grand Depart is made up of three stages, travelling through Yorkshire’s finest scenery on the 5th and 6th July, before leaving Cambridge and travelling to London on 7th July. Millions of fans will line the streets over the two days to celebrate the pinnacle of elite cycling.

The tour, which passes by a number of McCain farmer’s fields, guarantees a live audience of 4 million and will help to promote the McCain brand values, tying back to their Yorkshire and potato farming heritage as well as engaging with their target audience in local communities.

As the tour cuts through this key potato growing area, the partnership celebrates not only McCain’s Yorkshire roots but also aims to unite the local communities and McCain’s British farmers, to celebrate the joy and excitement of the Tour de France in the UK.

Mark Hodge, Marketing Director of McCain Foods GB said: “McCain are thrilled to be a part of one of this year’s biggest global sporting events and this partnership is the perfect way for us to celebrate our Yorkshire and farming heritage and engage with local communities and British potato farmers. We feel there is a natural synergy between McCain and Tour de France in Yorkshire and we are looking forward to celebrating the joy of such an exciting sporting event this summer.”

Ulster Rugby has signed a 10-year agreement with the Kingspan Group, the world’s leading provider of sustainable building materials, for the naming rights to their Ravenhill home.

The stadium will be renamed the Kingspan Stadium and the deal will also result in significant investment for the game of rugby at all levels within the Province.

Kingspan, whose global headquarters are in Kingscourt, County Cavan, has been a sponsor of Ulster Rugby since 1999.

Commenting on the landmark deal, Chief Executive of Ulster Rugby, Shane Logan, said: “We are delighted to have extended our partnership with Kingspan, one of Ulster’s most successful international companies, and to have secured a stadium naming rights partner for the first time.

“This is a landmark deal and one that will have considerable benefits for all of rugby in Ulster.

“I want to thank Kingspan for its long-term commitment to the Province and I look forward to many more special rugby occasions, from school and club finals to European match nights, at Kingspan Stadium in the future.”

Pat Freeman, Managing Director of Kingspan Environmental said: “Both Ulster Rugby and Kingspan are successful globally recognised brands within their respective fields. 

“We have been a partner of Ulster Rugby for 15 years and have witnessed the tremendous growth of rugby in the Province. We have also had extensive input into the redevelopment of the stadium through our high performance technologies. We are delighted to significantly extend our already strong association with Ulster Rugby by putting our name to such a wonderful sporting venue and are proud that the home of Ulster Rugby will be now known as Kingspan Stadium.”

International healthcare brand Bupa has signed a new deal to remain the Official Health Insurance Partner of UK Sport.

The partnership means Bupa is continuing its support of UK Sport’s highly successful Athlete Medical Scheme (AMS), stomach which provides extensive medical insurance to support elite athletes in their recovery from illness and injury, ailment delivered alongside the English Institute of Sport, nurse UK Sport’s science, medicine and technology arm.

As part of the partnership, two-time cycling world champion Becky James will become an official Bupa ambassador. James, who missed the London 2012 Olympic Games while recovering from surgery on her appendix, said: “As an athlete, knowing we’ve got the medical support and expertise from Bupa is incredible. It allows us to stay completely focussed on our training and performances knowing we’ve got access to some of the best medical treatment around.

“I have witnessed first-hand the benefits of the Bupa partnership. After missing London 2012 through illness, the expert treatment allowed me to focus on my recovery and come back better than ever to become world champion.”

Patrick Watt, Corporate Director, Bupa Health Funding said: “We know how crucial it is for athletes to get their injuries and health problems diagnosed and treated quickly to enable a speedy recovery. We’re proud that the UK’s elite athletes have continued to trust us to provide them with top quality healthcare.”

Liz Nicholl, Chief Executive of UK Sport said: “UK Sport’s continued partnership with Bupa demonstrates the importance of injury prevention and fast recovery in the world of elite sport. The care Bupa provides our athletes compliments the world class medical care provided by the home country sports institutes.

“With just over two years to go until the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, this renewed partnership is sure to provide fantastic peace of mind for athletes and coaches alike so they can concentrate on their performances and get to the start line fit and healthy.”

The Chicago Bulls have announced an expanded multi-year agreement with Downers Grove, Ill.-based Advocate Health Care, the largest integrated health system in Illinois and one of the nation’s leading health systems.

As part of the agreement, the team’s new training facility will be named the Advocate Center.

“Advocate Health Care is an incredible partner of the Chicago Bulls. Advocate’s leadership team is strong, creative, and committed to quality, and they have built an organization that embodies the characteristics we look for in long-term sponsor relationships,” said Michael Reinsdorf, Chicago Bulls President and Chief Operating Officer. “Advocate shares the Bulls’ passions for athletics, health and wellness, and the communities in which we live and work. As we enter the third year of our partnership and this exciting new chapter, the Bulls look forward to finding more ways to come together with Advocate to make a difference in the City of Chicago.”

“The Chicago Bulls have been a great partner to Advocate over the last two years and we are looking forward to advancing our partnership,” said Jim Skogsbergh, Advocate President and Chief Executive Officer. “We applaud the efforts of the Chicago Bulls Charities over the last 30 years and their focus on youth education, health and wellness and violence prevention and we look forward to working more closely together to improve our communities.”

The Advocate Center is scheduled to open before the 2014-15 season and will be located across from the United Center on South Wood Street between Monroe and Madison Streets. The facility is approximately 60,000-square-feet in size.

Advocate Center branding will be incorporated throughout the new facility. Exterior signage will be located on the north, east and west sides of the building. Interior branding will be featured in the video room and basketball court area.

The firm, 360 Architecture, is the lead project architect for the Advocate Center, and McHugh Construction serves as the General Contractor.

The Bulls and Advocate share a commitment to improving the lives of those in need, and a significant aspect of the expanded partnership will be exploring new opportunities to build a stronger Chicago community.

Advocate Health Care will also sponsor a 2014-15 pre-season game in October to highlight its support of Breast Cancer Awareness month and its successful initiative, “Stories of the Girls.” This will be the second consecutive year Advocate will sponsor a Bulls pre-season game focused on Breast Cancer Awareness, and both organizations are working on plans to use this unique platform to increase the positive impact this game can have on women’s health.