Asics Named Official Apparel Partner of 2014 ITU World Triathlon Chicago

Performance brand ASICS America has been named the Official Apparel Partner of the 2014 ITU World Triathlon Chicago, scheduled for June 27-29, and the 2015 ITU World Triathlon Chicago Grand Final.

As a Main Sponsor and Official Apparel Partner of ITU World Triathlon Chicago, ASICS will provide event shirts to each participant in the age-group races, including the sprint, Olympic-distance and relay events. ASICS will also supply items for event-branded ambassador kits.

Additionally, ASICS will support the event with volunteer, medical and swim safety T-shirts, as well as apparel for event staff and volunteer captains. Fleet Feet Sports Chicago will be the official retail partner for ASICS at the ITU World Triathlon Chicago expo.

Chicago will make its debut on the ITU World Triathlon Series circuit in June, becoming the third-ever U.S. city to host an ITU World Triathlon Series race – joining San Diego (2012 and 2013) and Washington D.C. (2009) – and the first to host the ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final since the series was founded in 2009.

“ASICS was an integral part of last year’s Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego, so we are thrilled to bring ASICS on board again this year in Chicago,” said Franzi Petermann, Managing Director for ITU World Triathlon Chicago. “Our goal is to host the best event possible, and we know ASICS will be an outstanding event partner for the 2014 event and the 2015 Grand Final.”

Elite Sport Performance to Sponsor British Weight Lifting

British Weight Lifting (BWL), remedy the national governing body for Olympic weightlifting and Paralympic powerlifting, has signed a partnership agreement with Elite Sport Performance Technologies (ESP), the UK’s leading strength and power training equipment, weights and services supplier.

ESP will be an official sponsor of British Weight Lifting and the exclusive supplier of strength and power training equipment, weights and services; this will include competition lifting platforms, plates and bars for all major English and British events.

The partnership was debuted at the recent British Senior Weightlifting and Para-Powerlifting Championships at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry and was showcased at BodyPower Expo at Birmingham’s NEC on 16-18 May, where the staging for both events were supplied by ESP. The three day event, which anticipated over 60,000 visitors, is the fastest growing consumer fitness exhibition in Europe and gave attendees an exclusive insight into British Weight Lifting and its athletes as well as ESP’s comprehensive range of strength and power equipment and new training software systems.

A series of high profile sessions took place at the show, led by international coaches and lifters including recent British Champions Zoe Smith, Jack Oliver, Owen Boxall and Rebekah Tiler. Weightlifting demos, training workshops and Q & A sessions were presented and visitors to the stand were given the opportunity to improve their lifting technique under expert guidance and advice from the sport’s leading coaches.

Commenting on the new agreement, Ashley Metcalfe, British Weight Lifting CEO, said: “We are delighted to confirm our new partnership with ESP™.

“ESP™ are a great match for BWL; as we focus on growing and professionalising the sport it is important that we form relationships with suppliers who believe in and support our aims and in working with ESP, we are able to provide our athletes and coaches with quality equipment and services that will undoubtedly enhance their training and performances.”

Dr. Vern Neville, ESP managing director, added: “Elite Sport Performance Technologies is delighted to sponsor British Weight Lifting. BWL’s goals and strategies are similarly aligned to ESP and apart from ESP’s direct support of strength equipment and Olympic weights to BWL athletes and coaches, the partnership will strategically focus on promoting the benefits of and participation in free-weight training in the UK.”

TaylorMade to Supply Hong Kong Golf Association

TaylorMade-adidas Golf HK has been announced as an Official Supplier to the Hong Kong Golf Association (HKGA) in a partnership that will give HKGA squads and subscribers access to TaylorMade products.

Hong Kong team members will be supplied with TaylorMade equipment and accessories whilst holders of a HKGA handicap card will receive a special 30% discount at TaylorMade’s flagship store in the K11 mall in Kowloon.

Paul Wan, patient Country Manager for TaylorMade-adidas Golf HK added: “TaylorMade has worked closely with Hong Kong’s elite players for several years and we share the HKGA’s mission to grow golf in Hong Kong.  We look forward to stepping up our support of the national squads but also to offering special rates and promotions to all HKGA subscribers.”

William Chung, President of the HKGA commented: “We thank and applaud TaylorMade for sharing the vision of the HKGA and for supporting not just our elite players but the wider golfing public as well.  We welcome TaylorMade to our family of HKGA partners and sponsors and look forward to a long-term relationship.”

The Hong Kong Golf Association (HKGA) is supported by a number of brands and businesses.  Mercedes-Benz is the Exclusive Car Partner of the HKGA and EFG Bank sponsors the HKGA Junior Development Programme.

Famous Grouse Becomes Official Whisky of Glasgow 2014

Organisers of Glasgow 2014 have announced today that The Famous Grouse will become its Official Whisky of the Commonwealth Games.

The agreement will see parent firm and international premium spirits company Edrington, healing which is headquartered in Glasgow, join the Glasgow 2014 sponsor family. 

David Grevemberg, Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive, said: “As a company with a strong and long established presence in Scotland, we are pleased to have The Famous Grouse on board as our Official Whisky. We will be working with Edrington from now until Games time on collaborative opportunities to showcase this special product while encouraging those celebrating the Games to do so responsibly.”

Ian Curle, Edrington Chief Executive, said: “We’re excited about this perfect partnership. Edrington was born in Glasgow and over 150 years it has grown and developed to become an international business. That same spirit and dedication to excellence is at the heart of Glasgow 2014 and we’re very proud to raise a toast of friendship between The Famous Grouse and the friendly games.”

Created in 1896 in Perthshire, The Famous Grouse has been Scotland’s no. 1 selling whisky for more than 30 years and sold in around 100 markets worldwide.

Lionel Messi Inks Dutch Space Scooter Endorsement Deal

Soccer superstar and four time world football player of the year Lionel Messi has signed a three year partnership with Dutch Space Scooter.

As part of the agreement, Messi will help design and promote his own special edition of the cool scooter under his own brand.

Dutch company and brand owner Easy2 Company B.V. will license Space Scooter globally under the player’s brand.

“He is loved all over the world, sympathetic, athletic and is a great example for many children when it comes to what you can accomplish in your life, if only you believe in yourself,” managing director Joost Blom of Easy2 Company states.

“He immediately liked the Space Scooter. Until now he did nothing with the promotion of toys and kids, so it was an ideal cooperation for both sides. Messi and his nephews are already riding the scooters themselves,” added Blom.

Messi and Easy2 Company signed a contract for the development and promotion of the Messi Space Scooter, which will be launched during the World Cup in June.

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F1 Driver Romain Grosjean Becomes G.H.MUMM Ambassador

G.H.MUMM, price the Official Champagne of the Formula 1 Championship, announced its partnership with Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean currently racing for the Lotus F1 Team.

This is the first time the brand has appointed a F1 driver as an Ambassador.

G.H.MUMM has been a supporter of F1 since 2000 and consider the new partnership an extension of this deal.

Romain Grosjean said: “I am delighted to be the Ambassador for G.H.MUMM, an iconic French brand and prestigious House of Champagne. G.H.MUMM has a lot in common with Formula 1 drivers; both have a passion for victory and a drive to be the very best in the field.”

Philippe Guettat, Chairman and CEO for G.H.MUMM House of Champagne added, “Romain is an amazing pilot, dedicated to his craft, continually pushing the boundaries to ensure he gets the most out of himself and his cars. In his own unique way, he represents all that is the best about G.H.MUMM.”

Ivy Tech Partners Chip Ganassi Racing’s Sage Karam

Ivy Tech Community College has partnered with Chip Ganassi Racing Teams (CGRT) and their rookie Indianapolis 500 driver, pills Sage Karam.

Karam will be driving the No. 22 Brantley Gilbert/Comfort Revolution Chevrolet of Dreyer & Reinbold Kingdom Racing that will carry Ivy Tech branding for the 98th running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, allergist on Sunday, May 25, 2014.

“We’re excited about this new opportunity to bring Ivy Tech to the Indianapolis 500,” said Ivy Tech President Thomas J. Snyder. “In addition to making his Indy 500 debut, Sage is also a high school student, making him the perfect driver to represent Indiana’s top college choice for high school graduates. The Indy 500 is the largest single-day sporting event, and as the largest college in Indiana, we’re thrilled to be a part of the greatest spectacle in racing.”

This is the first time Ivy Tech has partnered with a race team or been on the car of an Indianapolis 500 driver. Before the race, Karam visited Ivy Tech’s Central Indiana campus, meet with students, and tour the Automotive Technology Center, which houses a Technical Certificate program in Motorsports to prepare students for careers in the racing industry.

“Having great partners is always important to having great success on the race track and I am very happy about our partnership with Ivy Tech,” said Sage Karam. “The fact that I am just graduating from high school this spring makes the partnership all the more important to me as continuing my education will certainly be a priority. I think this partnership can help me both on and off the track.”

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Sign Valpak Partnership

Valpak, a leader in local print and digital coupons, announces a partnership with Rahal Letterman Lanigan (RLL) Racing to kick off this weekend at theIndianapolis 500 and continue through 2015.

The Valpak logo will be featured on the No. 15 National Guard Honda-powered IndyCar driven by Graham Rahal, as well as the No. 16 Honda-powered IndyCar driven by Oriol Servia, thus spreading the Valpak savings message nationwide on the Verizon IndyCar Series circuit.

Valpak’s envelopes mailing July 22 through August 18 will support the partnership. The Valpak envelope will include an augmented reality (AR) component and will be mailed to more than 40 million households throughoutthe United States and Canada.

On Friday, May 23, Valpak will invite their social media followers to share in the experience and excitement of the Indy 500 and will share special photos and messages with racing fans throughout the weekend on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

“We’re very proud to be a part of a team like Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing,” said Michael Vivio, president of Cox Target Media, provider of Valpak, who recently got to see the team in action first-hand at the St. Petersburg Grand Prix, close to where the Valpak headquarters are located. “Not only is it a really exciting place to be, but it’s a great opportunity to remind consumers they can get Valpak savings on the go anywhere at any time, whether that’s with a Valpak mobile app. online or in the blue envelope.”

Valpak, which has been in the business of helping people save money for more than 45 years, is known for its local coupons in North America. Recently Valpak has been leading the industry in mobile couponing, serving up mobile savings through apps and incorporating the latest technology. Valpak has shown an ongoing commitment to be on the forefront of technology with its mobile app presence in the mobile environment and its first-to-market integration into four mobile wallets, including Passbook, Microsoft, Samsung and Google.

“We are excited by our new partnership with Valpak, the huge audience it opens up to us and the ability to interact with them,” said team co-owner Bobby Rahal. “Being featured on the envelope, especially with the ability to show a video through augmented reality, is a great way to reach out to a broader audience.”

England Cricketer Chris Jordan Becomes Octopus Investments Ambassador

Sussex and England all-rounder Chris Jordan has become the new  brand ambassador for Octopus Investments.

The partnership with Octopus Investments, anesthetist who also sponsor Birmingham Bears and Surrey T20 sides, begins immediately and runs for the duration of the 2014 season.  The appointment aims to help to drive awareness of the company’s support for T20 and its sponsorships of Birmingham and Surrey over a busy year of domestic and international T20 cricket.

Chris’ role as brand ambassador will see him become the face of Octopus’ cricket activity this season as part of an exciting programme which also includes a fan friendly XP zone at select fixtures, engaging Twitter and Facebook content, and exclusive cricket experiences for clients.

Chris Jordan, Sussex and England all-rounder, said: “I’m looking forward to working with the team at Octopus Investments as they continue to grow their association with T20 cricket. Their support is crucial to the sport and I am delighted to be an ambassador for a brand with such a strong passion for and commitment to Twenty20 cricket.”

Nigel Spencer, Marketing Director at Octopus Investments, added: “T20 cricket provides an innovative take on a traditional game, which is why we feel the sport aligns so well with the Octopus brand. Our partnership with Chris is reflective of the characteristics and strengths of Octopus as a company. Chris is a young and dynamic player with some great performances behind him and a fantastic future ahead of him. That’s why we’re so excited to be partnering with him, and look forward to working with him throughout what promises to be an exhilarating and action packed season.”

Michelin to Replace Bridgestone as MotoGP Tyre Supplier

French tyre manufacturer Michelin is set to replace Bridgestone as the the Official Tyre Supplier to the MotoGP Championship from 2016, Dorna have announced.

At the beginning of May 2014 Dorna, in agreement with the FIM, opened a tender for tyre manufacturers interested in becoming Official Tyre Supplier to MotoGPfrom the 2016 season.

Interested tyre manufacturers were able to request the technical specifications from Dorna’s Managing Director Javier Alonso, with three potential tyre suppliers initially expressing an interest – before Michelin alone made a formal tender before the 22nd May deadline.