FIA Announces EDF as Technical Supplier

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has annouanced today a partnership with global producer and supplier of electricity, EDF, as an Official Technical Supplier for audit and research tests of propulsion, charging, and electrical safety in motor sport. 

The three-year agreement will promote the sharing of information and best practices between FIA and EDF technical experts on issues concerning the use and practical application of electric battery cells and packs, engines, transmission and charging systems, and infrastructure.

Welcoming the partnership, FIA President, Jean Todt, said: “I am very pleased to welcome today’s agreement with EDF which will spur innovation and collaboration on the next generation of electric vehicles. As one of the foremost companies today which carries out research on electro-mobility, EDF will bring invaluable expertise and input to our championships, allowing the FIA to further strengthen its position as a leading promoter of new technologies.”

Bernard Salha, EDF Senior Executive Vice President Head of Research & Development added: ”I am very glad of this agreement with FIA which enable EDF to be technically involved at the highest level of motor sport and thus to contribute to the progress of new technologies, with notably the use and promotion, at the world level, of electrical energy and perspectives of further technical evolutions, whose some of them will be also used on private cars.”

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Luis Suarez Becomes Ambassador for 888poker

Premier League footballer of the year Luis Suarez has become an ambassador to poker website 888poker. 

Suarez won the 2014 Professional Footballer’s Association Player of the Year for his fantastic performances on the field for Liverpool during the 2013-14 season, a season that saw him find the back of the net 31 times including scoring two hat tricks and a four-goal haul in the 5-1 victory at home to Norwich City.

The Senior Vice President of 888, Itai Pazner, commented on the deal: “Luis Suarez is an incredible sporting talent; passionate, competitive, technically gifted, and emotionally invested in the game. It’s those qualities that make him an exciting player to watch, in poker as well as football. It’s fantastic to have him on board.”

According to a press release, Suarez will immediately become an integral member of Team 888poker and will be found playing regularly online at 888poker and will participate in live events and “money-can’t-buy experiences.”

Suarez joins fellow non-poker pros Shane Warne and UFC legend Georges St-Pierre as ambassadors.

Titleist Extend European Tour Partnership

Golf ball manufacturer Titleist has renewed their partnership with the European Tour who will remain an Official Partner through to 2018.

As a partner for 25 years, Titleist will continue to provider ange balls throughout The European Tour International Schedule.

Matthew Johnson, Titleist Brand Director, said: “We have always had a fantastic working relationship with The European Tour, and we are proud of the ties that we have built up over the years. As a brand, we pride ourselves on our work with the best golfers in the world, who have validated Titleist golf balls for more than 75 years. Our partnership with The European Tour helps us to connect with our target audience of serious golfers and reinforce our position as the most trusted golf ball at every level of competitive golf.

“We look forward to developing the relationship further over the next four years and hope to bring even more value to the association for both parties.”

George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “Titleist is one of the strongest brands in golf and we are delighted to extend the partnership until 2018.

Northeast Utilities to Title Sponsor Hartford Marathon

The Hartford Marathon Foundation have announced today that Northeast Utilities have bcome the title sponsor of the NU Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon, recipe the state’s premier running event.

With a strong 20-year history, pharmacy the October 11th event will be powered by New England’s largest utility system, supporting growth and furthering positive impact of the marathon, half marathon, 5K and HMF FitKids programs, which benefit more than 100,000 people across the region annually.

“We are thrilled to partner with Northeast Utilities, a New England company that shares our mission to support both the physical and economic wellness of our communities,” said Beth Shluger, Executive Director of the Hartford Marathon Foundation and Race Director of the 2014 NU Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon. “We are immensely proud of our 20 year history promoting healthy lifestyles, youth wellness initiatives, charity fundraising and economic support for local businesses and communities. The NU Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon looks forward to increasing this positive impact with the support of Northeast Utilities.”

“We’re so proud to combine the energy of Northeast Utilities with the power of thousands of runners to support the greater Hartford area,” said Tom May, NU Chairman, President and CEO. “Like the Hartford Marathon Foundation, we have a long history of partnering with the communities we serve to support great non-profit organizations. Together, we will build on that shared commitment to energize the marathon’s tremendous impact on the region.”

Verivox Renews Deal as Main Sponsor of SV Sandhausen

Bundesliga 2 club SV Sandhausen has signed a new deal with main sponsor Verivox, ailment an energy comparison portal.

The deal, brokered by Infront Sports & Media, will see Verivox continue to advertise on the shirts of the 2. Bundesliga club across all competitions. In addition, the Heidelberg-based company will get comprehensive advertising space at home matches in the Hardtwaldstadion – including rotating and static boards in the TV-relevant areas. The package will be completed with extended promotions and activation rights around the team. Furthermore, Verivox has increased its hospitality contingent for the upcoming season.

Peter Dürr, Chief Marketing Officer of Verivox, commented on the continuation of the successful partnership: “We are delighted by the strong performance of SV Sandhausen in the 2. Bundesliga. We are confident that the team with its personnel increase will continue to be successful in the next season. Our staff and customers share the excitement with the team.”

Jürgen Machmeier, President of SV Sandhausen, expressed his pleasure with the extension: “The collaboration with Verivox was excellent during this season. SV Sandhausen is very pleased that this partnership will continue. Together with Heidelberg-based Verivox we will continue providing professional football to the Rhein-Neckar region.”

Reinhardt Weinberger, Managing Director of Infront Germany, commented: “Due to the regional proximity, Verivox can activate its main sponsorship of SV Sandhausen in an ideal way and maintain an intensive interaction with fans, employees and customers. The company will further extend this presence around the club in the coming season. In addition, Verivox positions itself permanently on a national level, due to the regular TV visibility and stable sportive performance of SV Sandhausen.”

Liverpool FC Renew Partnership with 188BET

Liverpool FC have extended their partnership with online sports betting and gaming provider 188BET for a further two years.

188BET will continue to use LFC platforms to promote its services until the end of the 2015/16 season. 

Nigel Singer, Managing Director of 188BET said: “Liverpool FC is one of the world’s most famous and historic football clubs and we are thrilled to be announcing our renewal off the back of one of their most successful seasons in recent times. We look forward to building on our excellent relationship with the club and its betting fans.”

Billy Hogan, chief commercial officer at Liverpool commented: “We are delighted to be renewing our partnership with 188BET for a third term. We’ve had great success over the last five years, continually adding value to our working relationship. 188BET will service fans in two of football’s biggest markets, Brazil and Asia where we have a combined total of over 340 million followers.”

Target Expands NASCAR Presence with Turner Scott Motorsports Sponsorship

American retailing company Target has expanded its sponsorship in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) to include the up & up brand as the primary sponsor on the No. 42 Turner Scott Motorsports’ (TSM) Chevrolet Camaro for six races. 

The up & up brand will make its track debut this weekend during the Get to Know Newton 250 Presented by Sherwin Williams NNS race at Iowa Speedway.

Additionally, pills Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) development driver Dylan Kwasniewski, allergy who is competing full-time this season in the NNS for TSM, will drive the No. 42 up & up Chevy to fill-in for Kyle Larson during each of the five NNS races where the series does not race at the same track as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS). 

Larson, who is the full-time driver of the No. 42 Target Chevrolet in the NSCS for Target Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, currently has the No. 42 Chevy Camaro for TSM fourth in the NNS owner standings, with a win at the AutoClub Speedway in Fontana, CA earlier this year.

Daniel Griffis, Vice President, Experiential Marketing and Alliances, Target, said: “This gives Target an important opportunity to tell a broader story around our up & up brand, and fits well with the other innovative Target-exclusive products and services that we have showcased on the No. 42 car so far this year, like Cartwheel and Target Ticket.”

Rising Golf Star Jordan Spieth Inks AT&T Endorsement Deal

Rising PGA Tour star Jordan Spieth has secured an endorsement deal with telecommunications giant AT&T.

Spieth, the reigning PGA Tour Rookie of the Year and a fast-rising star at just 20, was looking forward to the partnership.

“It’s going to be a great partnership going forward,” Spieth said Wednesday, the eve of the HP Byron Nelson Championship.

Spieth on Wednesday made it clear that he intends to be part of AT&T and the Nelson as long as they want him.

“I’ll play it until I’m 70 if I can,” Spieth said of the Nelson. “It’s an awesome, awesome partnership that’s going to start with AT&T being a title sponsor of this event, which I think is an incredible move on both parts.

“This is the tournament that I love probably the most, the dearest to my heart and one that I’m going to continue to play in.”

AT&T officials said that as part of the “multi-year” commitment with Spieth, he will make personal appearances and participate in social media, advertising and other promotions..

“AT&T is proud to welcome Jordan to our family,” said Mark Wright, vice president of AT&T media services and sponsorships. “We expect him to be a great ambassador for our brand. He’s a terrific young man and a tremendous golfer with unlimited potential.”

Newcastle Falcons Partner with Gilbert

Aviva Premiership team Newcastle Falcons has announced today that rugby brand Gilbert will be the club’s new official exclusive kit partner for the next three seasons.

The partnership will see Gilbert supply the club’s playing kit and off-field leisure apparel at all levels as well as partnering the award winning Falcons Community Foundation.

Gilbert Rugby will also be partnering with the Falcons Community Foundation to offer local community clubs and schools discounted team-wear and equipment via the new Connections Programme.

Duncan Edward, recipe commercial director at Newcastle Falcons said: “We are delighted to be partnering with such an iconic and high quality rugby brand. Gilbert are one of the biggest names in rugby and have a huge presence at all levels of the sport.

“They came through an extensive tender process and we were impressed with the quality of their product, medicine the innovation within their kit and equipment and their plans to support rugby at all levels via our Community Foundation. The new home shirt looks fantastic and we are looking forward to working with Gilbert in what is going to be a really exciting time for the sport up to and beyond next year’s Rugby World Cup.”

Richard Gray, sales and marketing director at Gray’s of Cambridge said: “Gilbert are delighted that Newcastle Falcons have chosen our new collection as fit for the rigours of Premiership rugby, marking a further stamp of approval for the brand’s continued expansion into apparel.

“The Falcons are the latest in a growing number of leading teams and organisations who have chosen Gilbert for the service, quality and reliability that the brand now delivers in team wear; as well as in balls.

“We are looking forward to working with the club to ensure that as many of their affiliated teams in the area as possible have the opportunity to benefit from using the same kit that the professional team has selected from our ranges. With County Cricket champions Durham also selecting team wear from Gilbert’s sister company Gray-Nicolls and the Rugby World Cup round the corner, we are excited by the all-round potential for the company in the North East region.”

Samsung to Title Sponsor NBA Summer League

Samsung, the official handset, tablet, and television provider of the NBA, Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), and NBA Development League (NBA D-League), has been announced as the title sponsor of the NBA Summer League for the first time this summer.

Samsung NBA Summer League tips off on Friday, July 11, at the COX Pavilion and Thomas and Mack Center on the campus of the University of Nevada Las Vegas, marking the 10th time the event will be held in the desert. For the second time in the event’s history, a tournament-style format will be utilized to crown a champion.

This summer’s event will again feature a single elimination tournament schedule that will crown the Samsung NBA Summer League Champion on Monday, July 21. Teams will compete in three preliminary round games from July 11-15 before being seeded in a tournament running through the Championship Game on July 21. Each team is guaranteed to play at least five games.

NBA TV will televise Samsung NBA Summer League games from Las Vegas with a complete schedule of games and broadcast information to be released at a later date. Additionally, fans will once again be able to watch, via a subscription-based package, every Samsung NBA Summer League game live on NBA.com and on the NBA Summer League app.

The Golden State Warriors won the inaugural NBA Summer League Championship in 2013, defeating the Phoenix Suns 91-77 in the title game.