Schweppes Australia has become an official supplier of the Emirates Australian Open in a new multi-year deal.

will join the Emirates Australian Open sponsor family as an official supplier in a multi-year deal it has been announced. 

The sponsorship underlines Schweppes’ commitment to golf, sitting alongside its 22 year association with past Open champion Craig Parry and partnerships with the Australian Masters and the Perth International and countless local events.

Schweppes was also the supplier for the 2011 Presidents Cup held in Melbourne.

Schweppes Australia Chief Executive Officer David Beguely said: “Schweppes Australia is thrilled once again to be an official partner of the Emirates Australian Open, demonstrating our commitment to golf, and to see the evidence that the Australian golf industry’s pinnacle event recognises Schweppes as its supplier of choice. “

The deal sees Australia’s most respected championship return to Schweppes after both brands had been previously aligned.

The National Football League (NFL) have revealed McDonald’s as the third presenting sponsor of NFL Now, the League’s new digital video service providing fans with the NFL news, analysis and highlights they want across their Internet-connected devices.

The NFL also announced new distribution partnerships with Amazon Fire TV & Kindle Fire and the Roku streaming platform for NFL Now, which is scheduled to launch in August before the start of the 2014 NFL season. 

McDonald’s joins previous announced NFL Now launch sponsors Verizon and Gillette. Amazon and Roku join previously announced NFL Now distribution partners Verizon, Microsoft, and Yahoo.

Available across Internet-connected devices, NFL Now will be personalized for each fan’s interests, allowing them to follow the NFL how they want, where they want, when they want. 

“We’re thrilled to bring on a trusted partner and sponsor in McDonald’s, providing them an exciting new channel to reach our fans and their loyal customers,” saidBrian Rolapp, Executive Vice President of Media for the NFL. “Our agreements with Amazon and Roku drive towards our goal of securing the broadest possible distribution for NFL Now at launch, providing fans a robust NFL video experience no matter what platform or device they are using.”

McDonald’s is the world’s leading global food service retailer with more than 35,000 locations serving approximately 70 million customers in more than 100 countries each day.

“We are excited to extend our partnership with the NFL by being a presenting sponsor for the launch of NFL Now,” said Anja Carroll, Vice President, Media and Consumer Connections for McDonald’s. “NFL Now is personalized for each fan, enabling them to follow their favorite teams and players, whether at the game, at home or in our restaurants.”

“We are thrilled that NFL Now will be available for Amazon Fire TV and Kindle Fire customers ahead of the 2014 NFL season,” said Mike George, Vice President, Amazon Appstore and Games. “The customized viewing experience that NFL Now provides allows the most avid fans (myself included) to have the ease of access to great content that they want most. The stunning display of the Amazon Fire TV and Kindle Fire family of products allows for an engaging sports viewing experience from the living room or on mobile devices – anywhere a customer wants to watch their favorite NFL content.”

“We’re proud to partner with NFL Now and are excited to bring their premier sports entertainment to Roku customers,” said Ed Lee, Vice President of Content Acquisition at Roku. “Football lovers have even more to look forward to with easy access to all the NFL video and news they want through the Roku platform.”

Phil Parsons Racing has formed another internet-based partnership with the world’s premier motorsports racing simulation, iRacing.

From May 27, 2014 through June 30, 2014, both new and current iRacing subscribers will have the opportunity to support Wise and Phil Parsons Racing through select purchases on the online racing simulation site.

“I am very excited about the partnership between iRacing and Phil Parsons Racing,” commented Wise. “I have used iRacing for the past six years as a training tool for my weekly NASCAR races because of how accurate their simulation and track layouts are. It has been such an awesome year for us with so much fan support on these projects, and this is another great way for fans to not only get a 60 percent discount on their membership, but also for the proceeds to go toward helping us build our program at PPR. It is also great to be continuing our relationship with reddit.com and its subreddits. Reddit was the internet’s best-kept secret for me until I was introduced to it earlier this year. It has been really fun to have fans so involved in our race program from the ground up, and I feel like this is another weekend where everybody can be a part of this and have fun.”

“I can’t thank everyone at iRacing enough for putting together this great partnership and program to help support Josh Wise and Phil Parsons Racing,” commented team owner Phil Parsons. “We’ve gotten so much support through reddit and the online community with our other efforts this season and we hope this one is no different. We’re looking forward to kicking off the partnership this weekend in conjunction with our race at Dover [Del.] International Speedway. Hopefully we will see a lot of new iRacing users competing against Josh in the upcoming weeks, and we look forward to hosting two special guests at a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event later this season.”

 

Rogers and Scotiabank today announced a six-year NHL sponsorship agreement.

Through the deal they will engage with consumers through grassroots initiatives, storytelling, and innovation while delivering significant multiplatform brand exposure across Rogers’s suite of media assets. The long-term agreement, which begins with the 2014-15 season and runs through 2019-20, will be a significant cornerstone in bringing the best hockey experience to Canadians.

“Hockey matters to Canadians, and it matters to us,” said Scott Moore, President of Sportsnet & NHL Properties. “Scotiabank has a tremendous tradition of supporting the NHL and grassroots hockey across Canada. They are passionate about our communities and are aggressive on innovation. This partnership is a continued strategic association with the sport Canadians love, and we look forward to taking fans on an exciting journey.”

“Scotiabank is thrilled to partner with Rogers to unite and share stories of communities across Canada through our passion and love for hockey,” says John Doig, Scotiabank’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We believe in the values of teamwork and commitment that hockey teaches, and we’re excited to be teammates to reach more customers.”

As part of the deal, Scotiabank will also leverage Rogers’ diverse portfolio of media assets for non-NHL related advertising.

This marks the first NHL sponsorship agreement since Rogers Communications secured a 12-year deal with the NHL in November 2013 for exclusive national broadcast and multimedia rights in Canada, beginning with the 2014-15 season.

Outdoor and sports watch maker Timex has announced today that elite American runners Josh Cox and Desi (Davila) Linden will join the brand’s roster of athlete ambassadors.

Cox, the U.S. 50K record holder and Linden, a 2012 US Olympian, will be integrated into the brand’s advertising, PR and social media programs, and product development and testing.

“This partnership represents our continued commitment to grow our Timex Ironman brand and to provide authentic and innovative products that help runners improve every day,” said Sam Martin, Brand Director, Timex Sport & Outdoor. “Together with these elite competitors and ambassadors, we will drive our next generation of devices and continue our dedication to runners everywhere.”

Cox, a competitive long-distance runner for more than 23 years, was the youngest qualifier (age 24) at the 2000 U.S. Olympic Marathon trials and is the American record holder in the 50k with a time of 2:43:45, his 50k performances in 2009 and 2011 were world leading marks. A four-time US Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier and three-time U.S. National Team member, he has also been the top American marathon finisher at the World Track & Field Championships.

“I’m extremely excited to be partnering with Timex,” said Josh Cox. “The brand shares my passion for the sport, and they will be a tremendous support system for me this season.”

“Timex is truly an authentic training partner for runners of all levels,” said Desiree Linden. “I know I can count on Timex products to be durable, comfortable and provide me accurate training data each time I run.”

ŠKODA UK has announced a two-year partnership, discount which will see the manufacturer become the Official Partner of the UCI continental level cycling squad, cure Team Raleigh.

ŠKODA UK will resume its Official Partner status to pro cycling team, Team Raleigh, following a year-long break. The partnership will see the team receive full use of three Octavia Estate support vehicles as riders compete in major cycling races throughout the UK and Europe during 2014.

The Team Raleigh 2014 squad includes Premier Calendar winner, Evan Oliphant, Rutland-Melton Classic winner, Alexandre Blain, and under-23 Manx rider, Mark Christian. The team will take on an exciting race programme, which will see them participate in the Tour Series and Ride London Classic among other races this year. 

Emily Burns, Communications Manager for ŠKODA UK, commented: “With ŠKODA’s heritage firmly rooted in cycling, we’re proud to support another of Britain’s leading professional cycling teams and extend our association with the sport in theUK. As Team Raleigh competes in world-class races throughout 2014, our vehicles will be on hand to provide the support and reliability to enable its riders to perform to their very best.”

Cherie Pridham,Team Manager for Team Raleigh, added: “This year we welcome back some of our most talented riders of 2013, and it is only fitting that our Offical Partner matches in terms of sporting calibre. As a leader in the field of cycling support worldwide, we are proud to have the backing of ŠKODA UK and look forward to extending this partnership through 2014 and beyond.”

A long-standing champion of cycling worldwide, ŠKODA UK provides vehicles to the Tour de France, Tour of Britian and Prudential RideLondon as well as other major cycling events across the world.

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 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.”

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.”