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.”

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 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.”

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.”

Motorsport veteran Alessandro Zanardi has been appointed as a new BMW Brand Ambassador.

In this role the BMW works driver will not only represent the brand by competing in the Blancpain Sprint Series, order but also off the race-track.

In 2001 the double ChampCar champion and former Formula One driver lost both legs in a serious racing accident.Only two years later, apoplectic Zanardi returned to motorsport, medic competing in BMW racing cars specially modified for his needs. In the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) he celebrated four victories together with ROAL Motorsport.

In total he contested more than 100 races in this series between 2005 and 2009. During his last WTCC season Zanardi started his second career in paracycling and made his big dream come true: to participate at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London (GB). 

“We are delighted to welcome Alessandro as a brand ambassador into our BMW family”, commented Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Marketing BMW. “For his fans all around the globe he is far more than a superb racing driver. With his fighting spirit and his positive attitude, Alessandro is a true role-model. He has shown that it is possible to overcome all adversities and barriers. He is a real champion on and off the race track – and therefore a perfect international ambassador for our brand.”

“I am very proud to become a BMW Brand Ambassador”, said Zanardi. “BMW is like a second family, and over the past years we not only enjoyed great times together at the track, but we have also become close friends. To return to racing as a BMW works driver this season is already great – and the fact that I will now represent this iconic company as an ambassador is just fantastic. The trust the BMW family puts in me means a lot to me. I am very much looking forward to representing this fantastic BMW brand all over the world from now on.”

As brand ambassador, Zanardi will be there personally to represent the brand at various events world-wide. In addition, he will take part in internal events with employees and management.