Huawei Inks Ghana FA Partnership

Huawei Technologies Limited, a Chinese multinational networking and telecommunications equipment and services company, signed a one-year sponsorship deal with the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

The brand will support Ghana’s senior national football team for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The agreement makes the Chinese company the Information Technology partner of Ghana, who will be embarking on their third successive World Cup in June.

The Chinese IT firm joins an array of sponsors for the Ghanaian national team.

President of the GFA Kwesi Nyantakyi commented on the deal: “I will like to assure that you will have a very beneficial relationship with the GFA and I hope that, after the one-year spell, you will be encouraged to continue to deal with the GFA.”

USA Triathlon Renew TYR Sport Gold-Level Partnership

USA Triathlon have announced today a renewal of their Gold-Level partnership with TYR Sport through 2016.

This relationship designates TYR as the National Governing Body’s official supplier in several categories, order including swimwear; triathlon competition and training apparel; swim training accessories and goggles. The extension agreement declares that wetsuits and swimskins are now added as a new exclusive category. 

As the official outfitter of Team USA, TYR will suit the top age-group athletes who annually qualify to represent the United States at each ITU World Championship event. TYR will also support the USA Triathlon National Team Program through performance bonuses at select events. Eligible winners include elite American triathletes who race in TYR suits and finish on the podium at the following events: ITU World Triathlon Series installments, the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto and the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Additionally, TYR will remain an integral partner in staging USA Triathlon’s four owned National Championships each year: Age Group (Olympic-Distance & Sprint), Collegiate, Duathlon and Youth & Junior.

“We are thrilled that we are not only continuing our partnership with USA Triathlon, but we are expanding it,” said Matt DiLorenzo, Chief Executive Officer of TYR. “During the last five years of partnership, USA Triathlon has proven to be a phenomenal platform to demonstrate our passion for the sport and to reach triathletes of all ages and levels. We look forward to continued collaboration and success as we move toward the world stage for Rio 2016.”

“As an innovative industry leader, TYR has contributed significantly to USA Triathlon’s success since we originally aligned in 2009,” said Chuck Menke, USA Triathlon Chief Marketing Officer. “From age-groupers to elites, TYR’s state-of-the art product line enables U.S. triathletes to train and compete at the highest level possible. I look forward to expanding our partnership even further in the years ahead.”

New Era Becomes Official Headwear Partner of Euroleague Final Four

With the Euroleague Final Four set to begin later this week, there international lifestyle brand New Era have announced they will be the official headwear partner for the tournament as well as Euroleague Basketball and the Turkish Airlines Euroleague competition.

The three-year deal, approved by the league and its owners, adds to New Era’s current licensing relationship with the National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Football League (NFL).

Under the terms of the agreement, New Era will have exclusive global distribution rights and branding for Euroleague headwear, namely caps and knits, as well as for Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four headwear. Beginning April 26 2014, to mark the start of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four in Milan, and running through to June 2017 at the end of the 2016-17 season, New Era will produce headwear throughout the seasons for the qualifying teams, official merchandise and marquee events, including the Final Four.

Best known for their signature 59FIFTY, New Era will have the rights to manufacture headwear with the 24 participating team logos.

“With over 93 years of traditional sports heritage, New Era is proud to form a truly authentic partnership with one of Europe’s most prestigious sporting organisations, Euroleague Basketball,” says Paul Gils, New Era VP EMEA. “We’re excited to bring our unique combination of style and fashion to the Euroleagues’s passionate fan base while providing these fans with the opportunity to own the official headwear of their favourite basketball teams.”

The agreement includes an integrated 360° marketing platform with brand visibility in the sports arenas, official websites and promotional material. During the season, the Euroleague is broadcast in 199 countries with an accumulated audience measured at 1.85 billion.

“We are really proud to welcome New Era, one of the global leaders in the industry with an authentic sports heritage that dates back over 90 years, as the new official headwear of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague.” states Jordi Bertomeu, Euroleague Basketball President and CEO. “This agreement is another example of the enormous possibilities that we bring to our commercial partners, opening the doors of both the top European competition and the top 24 clubs of the continent.”

AS.com becomes official Final Four destination in Spanish

Euroleague Basketball also announced a new partnership with AS, a sports media leader in Spain, that makes AS.com the official online destination in Spanish for Turkish Airlines Euroleague fans.

New content hosted in a special section of AS.com will allow Spanish speakers to follow the Turkish Airlines Euroleague with all the very latest video highlights, news articles, player and team information, interviews, real-time live statistics, photos and many more exciting features.

“We are really proud to launch this new initiative in one of our most important markets: Spain,” Mr. Alex-Gunnar Ferrer , Euroleague Basketball Brand and Communication Director, stated. “After the successful initiatives that we already launched in collaboration with Sport24.gr in Greece and Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy, our Spanish fan base will be able to enjoy the latest Turkish Airlines Euroleague information in its local language. We have worked to make this wish come true with the best partner possible, AS.com.”

The Final Four marks just the beginning of the partnership, which will see AS.com offer a new and expanded site to cover the Turkish Airlines Euroleague with all the best available content throughout the 2014-15 season.

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Kent Cricket Renews Partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University

Canterbury Christ Church University have extended their partnership with Kent County Cricket Club by becoming the sponsor of their Women’s team for the 2014 season.

Paul Carney, cough Director of Sport at the University, viagra order said: “We are delighted to continue our support for Kent Cricket and women’s sport through this sponsorship. 

“Their captain and Honorary Fellow of Christ Church, cialis Charlotte Edwards, is an inspiration to many of our sporting scholars including current Women’s squad member Deanna Cooper. We wish Charlotte and the team success for the coming season.”

Charlotte Edwards is the most capped One Day International player in the history of women’s cricket and its leading runs scorer. She has won five Ashes series, the World Cup and the World Twenty20 in an 18 year international career, and earlier this year she became only the second woman to be named as one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year. 

Jamie Clifford, Kent Cricket CEO, said: “We are very pleased that Canterbury Christ Church University has extended their support of the Club to include the Women’s team.  They have been one of the leading teams in the country for many years and are fully deserving of this commercial support and recognition.”

Rugby Players’ Association Secures Rhead Group as Official Supplier

Professional services consultancy Rhead Group has today been confirmed as Official Supplier to the Rugby Players’ Association (the RPA).

The deal will include the brand becoming the title sponsor of the England Player of the Year Award to be presented at this year’s RPA Computacenter Players’ Awards 2014.

Nigel Curry, medicine CEO of Rhead Group, said: “We are delighted to be an Official Supplier to the RPA and title sponsor of the England Player of the Year Award.  Many of the skills needed to win at rugby are identical to those required to construct major infrastructure projects.  This sponsorship builds on our work with the RPA focusing on players’ professional development after their rugby careers.  We are looking forward to working with the RPA on developing additional support programmes and business mentoring going forward.”

Nick Byrom, Commercial Director of the RPA, said: “We are pleased to welcome Rhead Group on board as Official Supplier to the RPA and as title sponsor of the England Player of the Year Award. Rhead Group encourage excellence and bring a fresh dynamic approach to all that they do, these are qualities we hope to inspire in our members.  We look forward to working with Rhead Group and their expert consultants to deliver an outstanding Project Management programme across our membership clubs in the near future.”

Audi Becomes Exclusive Automobile Partner for Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club

The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club has today announced that German luxury automobile brand, abortion Audi has been appointed as the Club’s exclusive automobile partner until 2016.

As part of the deal, allergist Audi has been named the title sponsor of the Club’s China Coast Race Week 2014-2015, including the annual China Coast Regatta, the inaugural Hong Kong Kettle, the Hong Kong to Hainan Race (2014) and the Hong Kong to Vietnam Race (2015).

This agreement is not only consistent with Audi’s involvement with other sailing clubs in Europe as well as a host of major sailing events around the world, including Audi Hamilton Island Week (Australia) and Audi Kiel Week (Germany), but it is also a strong indication of their involvement with the associated lifestyle and demographic group.

Reinhold Carl, Managing Director, Audi Hong Kong said: “We are delighted to celebrate this partnership with The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, even more so since Audi is the first automobile brand to have this exclusive privilege to become the Club’s Official Automobile.

“We look forward to the mutual benefits that are no doubt to arise through such collaboration by providing a hub for both amateur and professional sailing enthusiasts, and to share with them Audi’s brand values – “progressive, sophisticated, sporty” while working hand-in-hand with RHKYC to enhance recognition of some of the most renowned races in Asia Pacific through title sponsorship.”

Mark Bovaird, General Manager at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club added: “Our new relationship with Audi, as the Club’s Official Automobile, is a landmark agreement for the Club with another major player in sailing sponsorship worldwide, and complements our Official Timepiece agreement with Rolex.

“Not only will our members benefit from this new partnership with Audi, but we are also looking forward to contributing to the growing success story for this brand in Hong Kong.”

Atlanta Hawks Reveal Audemars Piguet as Official Time Keeper

NBA franchise Atlanta Hawks have signed a partnership with luxury watch manufacturer Audemars Piguet.

The partnership with the Hawks marks Audemars Piguet’s first with a team in any professional sport in the United States. Audemars Piguet will serve as the team’s ‘Official Time Keeper’ exclusively presenting the Two Minute Warning of the 2nd quarter and the Audemars Piguet Final Minute of the 4th quarter and receiving corresponding signage throughout the arena at those junctures. Audemars Piguet will also present the “Countdown to Tip-Off”, order a 15-minutes countdown before the Hawks and their opponent meet at the center court to begin the game.

“We are thrilled with the prospect of partnering with one of the preeminent fine watch-manufacturers in the world” said Hawks Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Andrew Steinberg. “Moreover, shop we are honored that Audemars Piguet has demonstrated such an outstanding commitment to our organization, ed culminating in their first team partnership in all professional sports.”

The Swiss company will also have a presence outside of Philips Arena as they will have strong visibility on the Hawks massive exterior marquee, a digital clock which displays HD-video and images, that sits atop the Centennial Tower parking deck outside of Philips Arena on the corner of Marietta Street and Centennial Olympic Park Drive.

“Professional sports is nothing new to Audemars Piguet as the brand has had a long tradition of relationships with many of the world’s greatest athletes” said Xavier Nolot, CEO Audemars Piguet (North America) Inc. “Announcing the partnership following the team’s strong showing during the playoffs is incredibly exciting and we could not be more proud to have a place of honor at Atlanta’s beloved Philips Arena and the association with Danny Ferry, Coach Bud and the entire Atlanta Hawks organization.”

Audemars Piguet’s list of ambassadors includes successful professional athletes in several sports, including: the PGA’s Nick Faldo and Lee Westwood, FC Barcelona soccer star Leo Messi, the NBA’s LeBron James and retired cricket star Sachin Tendulkar among others.

Southampton FC Announce Veho as New Main Sponsor

Southampton FC have announced electronics manufacturer Veho as its new Main Club Sponsor. 

The Premier League club has agreed a two-year partnership deal with the Southampton-based global consumer electronics firm, who will take over as our headline sponsor as of 1st July 2014.

The partnership will also see the launch of a Veho Saints range of co-branded electronics, while a showcase of Veho’s award-winning products will be on display in the WestQuay Saints Store on Saturday 10th May and the St Mary’s Megastore on Sunday 11th May.

Gareth Rogers, CEO at Southampton Football Club, commented: “Southampton Football Club is ready to build upon the successes of recent years, and finding a partner who could match our ambition was our main priority.

“In Veho, we have a partner who will help us further our reputation for being at the forefront of sport science and innovation throughout every department – not just the football side.

“Being able to select a partner who is part of the local community here in Southampton and has a global reach allows us to continue our development at a fast pace.”

Steve Lewis, CEO and Founder of Veho, said: “Veho was founded with innovation at its heart, and the opportunity to partner with Southampton was another step in the development of our brand. Both businesses have had success by driving innovation through every part of the organisation and we look forward to continuing that together.

“With a global audience of billions, in 212 territories, the exciting partnership with Saints means the Veho brand will be broadcast into 650 million homes worldwide.

We are very excited about the partnership and look forward to working with the Club and engaging with the fans. The board of Veho are all lifelong supporters of the Club so we all share the fans’ passion for success on and off the pitch.”

London Wasps Gets Sponsorship Boost Ahead of European Play-Off

Former London Wasps sponsor EMC has returned to support the Club in their European quest, generic as presenting sponsor of the home leg in this weekend’s European seventh place play-off.

EMC2, a global leader in enabling businesses and service providers to transform their operations and deliver information technology as a service, was Wasps front of shirt sponsor between 2009 and 2012 and has returned as the presenting sponsor of Wasps play-off game at Adams Park on Sunday 18th May.

As part of the partnership, EMC2 will receive in-ground branding, stadium activation space, hospitality and behind the scenes opportunities, as well as promotion through Wasps communications and marketing channels, as “EMC2 presents the European Rugby Champions Cup Play-Off.”

EMC2 UK&I Managing Director James Petter said: “EMC2 is thrilled to once again join forces with London Wasps. We are excited by the developments and signings that London Wasps have made in recent weeks and we have high aspirations for them. We are proud to be able to support them as they target a return to top flight European rugby.”

London Wasps Commercial Director, Luke Organ, added: “This partnership with EMC2 is hugely significant for Wasps and reflects the positive progress made by the Club this season. It is fantastic to be able to re-build relationships with leading organisations who have supported the Club in the past.

“To have a sponsor of the calibre of EMC2, a global leader in the technology industry, backing us is evidence of the successful commercial programme being developed at London Wasps, matching the squad’s performances which have provided this opportunity to play in Europe’s top tier next season.”

Prosecco Secures World Superbikes Partnership

Italian wine brand Prosecco DOC has agreed a partnership with FIM Superbike World Championship.

Prosecco will enhance the prize-giving ceremonies after each race of every WSBK category, malady during every round of the season. The bottles, ailment labelled by Consorzio or one of its associated companies, sickness will be handed over to the top 3 riders by the Prosecco girls.

Prosecco DOC will also be present in the “SBK Pit Lounge”, the VIP hospitality area for the SBK partners, where every guest will receive a glass of Prosecco DOC as a welcome drink, as well as every media person attending the racing weekend.

Marc Saurina, WSBK Commercial and Marketing Director, said: “A great reward for us is to witness the continuation of our partnerships in light of the effort we put into providing worldwide visibility for our sponsors. Thanks to an ever more globally spread calendar, the Prosecco DOC brand will be able to reach new and strategic markets.”

Stefano Zanette, President of Consorzio di tutela del Prosecco DOC, added: “Our goal is to further increase the popularity of our brand, so people from all over the world can enjoy Prosecco DOC even more than before. We chose to renew this partnership because the eni FIM Superbike World Championship is a series that ensures maximum visibility for our brand. Not only in Italy, where the TV audience numbers from last April showed that WSBK was the most watched motorcycle racing series, but also globally. World Superbike reaches some strategically important markets for Prosecco DOC, and we would like people from all over the world to appreciate our extraordinary wine, in a responsible way, and enhance their favourite moments with it.”