Mondo to Provide Athletic Track Surface for Glasgow 2014

The organisers of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games have announced Mondo as their Official Provider of athletic track surface.

Mondo has supplied the material for the athletics track surface, cough which will see the fastest athletes from around the Commonwealth go head to head this summer.  Mondo is also providing specialist sports equipment that the athletes will use on the field of play.

Around 14,000 square metres of pre-fabricated and pre-tested Mondo material has been laid inside Hampden, which will stage some of the most thrilling moments of the competition, with 48 events being held in the stadium across seven days. 

A further 6,000sqm has been installed at Lesser Hampden, which will be the main warm-up area for athletes prior to competition. 

Mondo has a successful history of supporting multi-sport Games and also provided athletics track surfaces at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games, the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

David Grevemberg, Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive, said: “The solution we’re implementing to transform Scotland’s National Stadium is a world-first on such a scale and it’s great to have the quality of track material supplied by Mondo providing a first-class platform for the best athletes of the Commonwealth to shine.”

Maurizio Stroppiana, Mondo Sport&Flooring General Manager said: “Glasgow has created a venue that is not only an engineering feat but a world-class example of environmental and social responsibility. Mondo is proud to be part of this achievement.”

Longines to Title Sponsor Los Angeles Masters

Longines and EEM World, the creator and organizer of indoor show jumping events that include the annual Longines Hong Kong Masters and the Gucci Paris Masters, announced today that the Swiss watchmaker Longines will be the Title Partner of the first American Grand Slam.

The Longines Los Angeles Masters will replicate the unique event concept seen in Paris and Hong Kong, combining the best of show jumping, glamorous entertainment and luxury lifestyle over four days of competition and show at the Los Angeles Convention Center on September 25 – 28, 2014.

Mr. Walter von Känel, President of Longines, said: “Longines is very proud to be the Title Partner as well as the Official Timekeeper and Watch of the Longines Los Angeles Masters. Together with this event, we share common values such as tradition, elegance and performance.” The famous Swiss watchmaker Longines, partner of the world’s most famous equestrian events, has been involved in show jumping for many years and shares a long-standing passion for horses that dates back to 1878, when it produced a pocket chronograph engraved with a jockey and his mount. In addition, the brand has been partnering with show jumping competitions since 1912.

“After Paris and Hong Kong, we are thrilled and delighted to count on Longines’ support for the first ever Masters Grand Slam Indoor competition in America. We trust the Longines Los Angeles Masters to become a not to be missed event in the sport and social LA calendar” said Christophe Ameeuw, CEO EEM World.

“Los Angeles is a city of champions with a storied equestrian tradition and we are excited to showcase the world’s finest horses and riders at the Longines Los Angeles Masters,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said in welcoming the event. “This event will attract the best of the equestrian world and will boost our local economy and encourage other championship events to come to L.A.”

NEC to Sponsor 2014 Ladies European Masters

The Ladies European Tour announced today that NEC Display Solutions (UK) and NEC Europe will support the ISPS HANDA Ladies European Masters 2014 as an official supplier.

The event will take place on July 3-6 at the Buckinghamshire Golf Club, find Denham.

NEC, ampoule a partner since 2013, mind will provide a number of displays inside and outside the clubhouse to ensure spectators can view live television coverage, close-up footage of competitors’ shots on the greens and real-time scores, enhancing their enjoyment of the tournament.

Simon Jackson, Vice President, NEC Display Solutions (UK)said, “We’re very excited to continue being involved in the prestigious ISPS HANDA Ladies European Masters golf tournament. From our experience of providing a wide range of information and communication solutions to stadia around the world, NEC understands how important it is to sports fans to be able to enjoy the buzz of the live event, enhanced by multimedia content – such as breaking live video, news tickers or wayfinding information – displayed on high definition screens.”

Ivan Peter Khodabakhsh, CEO of the Ladies European Tour, said, “The success and development of the ISPS HANDA Ladies European Masters at Buckinghamshire Golf Club, the home of the Ladies European Tour, is extremely important to us and we are delighted that NEC will be playing a key role as a partner in this high profile event. We thank NEC for consolidating and strengthening our relationship and are excited about the continued opportunities to work together.”

Dunkin’ Donuts Becomes Official Coffee of Dover International Speedway

Dover International Speedway and Dunkin’ Donuts have announced a new partnership that names Dunkin’ Donuts the official coffee of the track, pills beginning with the May 30-June 1, clinic | 2014 NASCAR race weekend at the Monster Mile.

“NASCAR fans are undoubtedly some of the most passionate and loyal fans in sports,” said Lou Conte, Field Marketing Manager, Dunkin’ Brands. “As the official coffee of Dover International Speedway, we look forward to interacting with fans on race weekend, introducing them to our new DD Perks Rewards loyalty program and keeping the Monster Mile running on Dunkin’!”

As part of this partnership, Dunkin’ Donuts will kick off race weekend with the chance for fans to earn an extra 50 points when they register for DD Perks using the promo code “DOVER.” Fans can also sample Dunkin’ Donuts coffee and have fun at the Dunkin’ Donuts Photobooth and display in the FanZone, located just outside Turn 4 of the track throughout race weekend.

“We’re happy, and know our fans will be as well, to have Dunkin’ Donuts on board as the official coffee of the Monster Mile,” said Mark Rossi, vice president of sales and marketing for Dover International Speedway. “As a market leader, Dunkin’ Donuts will be a strong promotional partner that provides a product that will truly enhance our fans’ race day experience.”

NASCAR returns to Dover International Speedway on May 30-June 1, 2014 for the June 1 “FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.

Royal Purple to Sponsor Lingenfelter Performance

Premium synthetic lubricant manufacturer, unhealthy Royal Purple, today announced that it will be the official lubricant for Indiana-based Lingenfelter Performance Engineering.

Beginning immediately, Royal Purple products will be used in all Lingenfelter-tuned vehicles, including the Chevrolet Reaper high-performance pick-up truck, C7 Corvette, Camaro and Cadillac CTS-V.

Royal Purple President Bryan Yourdon, Royal Purple sponsored driver Townsend Bell and Lingenfelter Performance Engineering CEO/owner Ken Lingenfelter with a specially wrapped Lingenfelter C7 Corvette at the 2014 Indianapolis 500.

In addition to serving as Lingenfelter’s official lubricant provider for its passenger cars and trucks, Royal Purple will provide its products to the Lingenfelter race team for road and drag racing campaigns. Royal Purple’s branding will be featured prominently on the L28 Camaro during the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational, at drag strips across the country and on the team’s trailer and fire suits. For its part, Lingenfelter also becomes an authorized distributor of Royal Purple’s full line of automotive products. 

“We’re tremendously excited to be working with Lingenfelter,” said Royal Purple President, Bryan Yourdon. “With more than 40 years of experience in the tuning industry, Lingenfelter is a fixture of modern automotive performance. The company builds some of the fastest cars on the planet and we’re excited to help them continue to outperform with our full line of products.” 

“The Royal Purple premium quality brand meshes perfectly with our company’s dedication to the highest levels of performance. That’s why we’re recommending their products to be used in our performance tuned automobiles and specialty trucks,” said Ken Lingenfelter, CEO/owner, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering.

FootJoy Extends Deals as Official Footwear Supplier to European Tour

The European Tour has extended its partnership with shoe and glove manufacturer FootJoy as its Official Footwear Supplier until 2018.

Following the success of the initial agreement, click which has gone from strength to strength since 2008, search the new contract will encompass a variety of mutually beneficial brand-sharing and marketing elements.

Richard Fryer, FootJoy’s Sales and Marketing Director, said: “We are immensely proud of the relationship we have developed with The European Tour over the past seven years, so naturally we are delighted to extend this association.

“We are certainly looking forward to working closely alongside their team over the next five years, as both organisations continue to lead from the forefront of the industry.”

This latest agreement with The European Tour comes just weeks after FootJoy signed an agreement with Ryder Cup Europe to become an Official Licensee of the biennial tournament, which this year takes place from September 27-29 at The Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland.

Fryer added: “As the clear number one shoe brand of choice week in week out amongst competitors on The European Tour, we also wanted to extend our support to everyone on the Tour from the agronomy and event staff to the referees and officials, all of whom play crucial roles in enhancing the all-round appeal and credibility of the FJ brand.”

FootJoy has long been synonymous with the winners’ circle on The European Tour and 2013 was no different, with an impressive tally of wins from FootJoy ambassadors including Major winners Adam Scott (Masters Tournament) and Jason Dufner (US PGA Championship) as well as Henrik Stenson, whose runaway victory in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai saw him crowned European Tour Number One for 2013.

Tim Shaw, Sales Director for The European Tour, said: “Our relationship with FootJoy as an Official Supplier has been overwhelmingly positive. I think the fact that both parties have agreed to extend the partnership says everything about the level of satisfaction with our agreement, which we hope will continue long into the future.”

BMW to Remain Title Sponsor of BMW Championship after Extended Deal

German automobile manufacturer BMW has renewed its commitment as title sponsor of the BMW Championship for a further five years after a new deal was signed with the PGA TOUR and Western Golf Association (WGA).

BMW has sponsored the tournament since 2007 when it became the third of four Playoff events with the introduction of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs. During the term of the extension, BMW will continue to serve as the “Official Vehicle” of The Barclays and TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola, the first and final FedExCup Playoff events, respectively.

This year’s BMW Championship will be contested Sept. 4-7 at Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver, Colo.

“Since becoming title sponsor of this historic tournament, BMW not only has been committed to elevating the stature of the BMW Championship as a Playoff event, but also to supporting the WGA and the Evans Scholars Foundation,” PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem said. “BMW has been a terrific partner of both the PGA TOUR and WGA, and we very much look forward to continuing this collaboration over the next five years.”

The BMW Championship was named the PGA TOUR’s Tournament of the Year in 2012 and 2013 and boasts an impressive list of champions, including Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Dustin Johnson, Camilo Villegas and defending champion Zach Johnson.

“On behalf of the players, I would like to sincerely thank BMW for its continued support of this great event,” Johnson said. “The BMW Championship is extremely important to us in determining the eventual FedExCup champion and BMW does a tremendous job with the event. On a personal note, I’m obviously thrilled to have won the BMW Championship last year at Conway Farms and hope to have the opportunity to defend in September at Cherry Hills.”

This extension reaffirms BMW’s continued global support of golf and follows the recent announcement of the extension of its partnership with the European Tour through 2018 to continue BMW’s entitlement of three premier events – the BMW International Open in Germany, the BMW Masters in China, and the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

“As a supporter of golf globally for the past 25 years, we are very excited to extend our partnership with the PGA TOUR and Western Golf Association,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America.  “Not only does the BMW Championship provide us the opportunity to connect with our network of owners, dealers and golf fans across the U.S., but also continues our support of the Evans Scholars Foundation and help the WGA in its drive to send 1,000 caddies to college annually by 2020.”

Petronas Renews Title Sponsorship of Mercedes F1

High flying Formula 1 team Mercedes have extended their partnership with Petronas who will remain their title sponsor for the foreseeable future.

Petronas has been a partner of the team since it returned to Formula One in 2010 and not only provides fuels and lubricants but also features heavily on the team’s livery. The team has secured unrivaled success this year by winning every race this year.

The team did not announce the length of the new deal but Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff said it was building “towards a decade of partnership”.

“Ever since 2010, our relationship with Petronas has been founded on the values of true partnership: trust, honesty and shared ambition. In that time, Petronas has become the most prominent energy company in Formula One and we have worked as one to develop a world-class partnership in Fluid Technology Solutions that has delivered a measurable on-track advantage in 2014. The result is a partnership that has delivered on every level. It is therefore a proud moment to further extend this agreement and build towards a decade of partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Petronas.”

Dr Dieter Zetsche, chairman of Daimler added: “Motorsport is in our DNA. The first Mercedes was a race car and we use the race track as a research laboratory. In Formula One, we can push new technologies to the absolute limit, before they are introduced into our production vehicles. The success of our team this season is the result of hard work and an outstanding partnership with Petronas. We share a passion for innovation, the commitment to excellence and, above all, the will to win. We are stronger together – and that’s how it will stay.”

Bayern Munich Suit Up with Giorgio Armani

Italian fashion house Giorgio Armani has signed a three-year deal with Bundesliga champions FC Bayern Munich to design and outfit their new suits.

The tailor made suits will be worn at official club functions or when the team travel and will have personalised labels for each of the players, Bayern said.

“We are proud and we think it is great that Bayern Munich will in the future be dressed personally by maestro of the fashion world,” Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said in a statement on Friday.

“Guardiola’s Bayern is a winning team that plays a quality game, and is composed of motivated athletes with an international scope. That’s why I decided to once again work with a highly important football club, creating an entire Made to Measure wardrobe for them,” explained designer Giorgio Armani. “A tailored suit is a true contemporary luxury, which is perfect for a top club like Bayern and adapts naturally to the athletes’ bodies.”

Valencia Signs Up Adidas as Official Kit Supplier

Valencia have revealed that adidas has replaced Joma as their official kit supplier from July this year.

In addition to producing the playing and training kit for all Valencia CF teams, adidas will be partnering with the club on wide-ranging retail and distribution platforms, including a state of the art megastore in downtown Valencia.

This new commercial partnership represents the biggest deal in its category in Valencia’s history. 

Nigel Griffiths, managing Director for adidas said: “We are really excited about Valencia’s contract. We are sure that Valencia is one of the top clubs in Europe and we are really proud to be part of this new project. .adidas is the most iconic brand in the football history and it is a pleasure to share our heritage with this historic club. We wish all the best to Valencia CF”.

Amadeo Salvo, President of Valencia CF said: “We are excited to be partnering with adidas, a company whose football heritage and record of innovation have a strong affinity with our own. Past and Future cross our partnership and as we enter a new era in our club history, adidas represents a major commercial and marketing opportunity to reinforce our club credibility as one of the most important football clubs in the world. This represents another important step forward in Valencia’s progression on and off the pitch.”

adidas sponsors a number of football competitions, teams and stars including FIFA World Cup, the FIFA Confederations Cup, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA European Championships. adidas also sponsors some of the world’s top clubs including Real Madrid, FC Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Flamengo, Chelsea, and now, Valencia CF. Some of the world’s best players also on the adidas roster are Leo Messi, Gareth Bale, Mesut Özil, Dani Alves, Oscar, Xavi, Karim Benzema and Bastian Schweinsteiger.