Newstalk to Sponsor Cricket Ireland’s 2014 Interprovincial Series

Cricket Ireland has announced Newstalk 106-108 fm as the new sponsor of the 2014 Interprovincial Series.

The event will see Leinster Lightning, medstore Northern Knights and the North West Warriors competing across the Newstalk Interprovincial 3-day Championship, unhealthy 50-over Cup and 20-over Trophy.

Ger Gilroy, cough Newstalk sports editor, said: “Cricket has seen a surge in popularity, across Ireland, in recent years and we are seeing more and more young people taking to the sport. Our seven-day Off the Ball offering is designed to keep listeners up-to-date with the latest developments across all sports. We are delighted to sponsor the Interprovincial Series and we look forward to supporting the teams throughout the season.” 

Dennis Cousins, Head of Commercial at Cricket Ireland, also welcomed the new deal saying: “We are delighted to welcome Newstalk into the Cricket Ireland family. Newstalk’s national reach and strong sports offering will no doubt help drive the ongoing growth of and interest in Irish cricket.”

“The Interprovincial Series is the bridge between club cricket and international cricket. It is extremely important in aiding Cricket Ireland’s journey to becoming a Test Playing Nation. To have an association with a prestigious, ambitious and dynamic brand like Newstalk is an important development for Cricket Ireland and the Interprovincial Series.”

“Our partnership with Newstalk also means that cricket fans, from across the country, can look forward to increased quality coverage of the game at international and grassroots level, throughout the season ahead.”

The 2014 Newstalk Interprovincial Series will kick-off on Saturday May 3rd at The Hills, when hosts Leinster Lightning take on the North West Warriors in a 50 over contest. Action at Milverton gets under way at 10.45am.

Asics Named Official Footwear & Apparel Sponsor of Alcatraz Triathlon

IMG Worldwide has confirmed that ASICS will be the official footwear and apparel sponsor of the 34th Annual Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon taking place on Sunday 1 June, ed in San Francisco.

“The Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon is one of my favourite triathlons, pills and after missing last year’s race due to injury, I’m very excited to return to the competition this year,” said ASICS America elite athlete and five-time Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon Champion Andy Potts.

“It’s especially exciting for me as an ASICS athlete to have them on board as a sponsor because it solidifies their commitment to the advancement of this sport and their ongoing support for athletes.”

“We are thrilled to have ASICS America on board for the 2014 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon,” said IMG Senior Vice President James Leitz. “The support from tremendous partners such as ASICS America is a major reason why the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon remains one of the world’s most prestigious races and attracts top international athletes.”

Michelin to Sponsor NCM Motorsports Park

Michelin North America has announced it will sponsor the National Corvette Museum (NCM) Motorsports Park for three years.

Michelin is the first official sponsor and will be the official tire of the park. 

Silvia Mammone, sale order motorsports and sponsorship marketing manager for Michelin North America, said Michelin has had a technical partnership with Corvette racing since 2004. Upon learning that NCM would build a motorsports park, Michelin wanted in.

“I think the partnership with the Corvette Museum is a natural extension of our already existing partnership,” Mammone said.

Michelin will serve as the presenting sponsor for three events at the NCM and Motorsports Park during the term of the contract. Additionally, Michelin will have product testing and supplier events at the park.

Mercedes F1 Inks ASSOS Apparel Partnership

The Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team have announced a new partnership with cycling apparel equipment company, ASSOS.

ASSOS will be the high-tech partner to supply the team with cycling apparel.

The new agreement sees ASSOS become a Team Supplier with the two companies planning to work together to explore the development of cycling technologies inspired by Formula One, as well the application of cycling research, development and expertise to the Mercedes AMG Petronas team’s use of advanced materials technology.

Based in Ticino, Switzerland, ASSOS has a history of game-changing innovations within cycling apparel and plan to launch a series of Mercedes AMG Petronaslicensed products in 2015.

Roche Maier, ASSOS CEO and Chief Engineer: “The people at MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS truly embrace cycling. That makes this an ideal environment to explore F1 technology and generate exciting new ideas.”

UFC’s Ronda Rousey Extends Endorsement Deal with XYIENCE Xenergy

XYIENCE Xenergy, clinic the official energy drink of the UFC, has announced today they have renewed their endorsement deal with Ronda Rousey, the UFC women’s bantamweight champion.

As a part of the one-year agreement, the 27-year-old (9-0-0) will appear in the energy drink brand’s advertising, on point-of-purchase materials and its website. The brand will continue to build consumer promotions around the first female UFC champion.

Rousey is the No. 1 pound-for-pound female MMA fighter in the world according to leading industry publications and the Unified Women’s MMA Ranking. She has a role in The Expendables 3, a Sylvester Stallone film that is due to hit theaters in August 2014. 

Outside of the octagon, XYIENCE’s relationship with Rousey has also been a huge win on the retail floor. In late 2013, XYIENCE launched a limited edition Cherry Lime collector can that included the two-time Olympian’s image that proved to be a winner for the brand.

“XYIENCE is thrilled to have Ronda on the team,” said John Lennon, XYIENCE’s president. “Outside of the cage, she’s also a dominating force. In 2014, her collector can was available in November and December as part of the excitement leading up to UFC 168 that was in late December,” explained Lennon. “Those are traditionally slow months for the energy drink category, but during that period our sales increased 12 percent over 2012.”

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Thomas Lyte Named Official Trophy Supplier to LMA

The League Managers Association (LMA) has announced today world-renowned silversmith designers and makers of trophies, abortion Thomas Lyte, prostate as new Commercial Partners for 2014/15.

Thomas Lyte has become Official Trophy Supplier to the LMA and will kick off the partnership by providing specially commissioned trophies for the upcoming 2014 LMA Annual Awards on May 12th.

Thomas Lyte is best known for its sporting trophies such as The Webb Ellis Rugby World Cup, The FA Cup, The Ryder Cup and many more. Through the partnership with the LMA, members and commercial partners can access a bespoke service.  Follow the link here for visuals of what Thomas Lyte can offer.

LMA Chief Executive, Richard Bevan commented on the new partnership: “I am delighted to welcome Thomas Lyte as a commercial partner.  Thomas Lyte is an historic brand synonymous with football over many years – bringing together this heritage with the LMA and the LMA Annual Awards is a great combination.”

CEO at Thomas Lyte, Kevin Baker said: “We are proud to be officially announced as the trophies and award partner of the LMA. Thomas Lyte owns and manages one of the largest luxury craft workshops for fine silverware in the UK and are responsible for the design, restoration and manufacture of some of the most iconic trophies in the World. Commissions include the annual restoration of the FA Cup, trophy commissions for the Asian Football Confederation, the Oceania Football Confederation, UEFA, MLS, the Football League (Skybet) and the Oman Football Association amongst others.

“Thomas Lyte encompasses all that is great about British craftsmanship and we enjoy a strong working relationship with a number of leading Premier League & Football League clubs. We are very much looking forward to working with the LMA and all its members as the official trophies and awards partner.”

Stena Match Cup Sweden Secures New IT Partner

Alpari World Match Racing Tour event Stena Match Cup Sweden has signed a new partnership with the Swedish IT and management consulting company HiQ.

As part of the deal, drug the event will have a brand new website.

As one of the biggest annual sports events in Sweden, symptoms Stena Match Cup Sweden needs a modern digital platform to present information and interact with fans. HiQ has many years of experience from working with digital communication but they have also been involved with sailing before with the very successful HiQ Sailing Team.

“Mobile and digital solutions are now key factors for events weather they are focused on sports or entertainment. With our long experience in digital communication, and experts who can creat the most user-friendly and innovative services, we look forward to helping Stena Match Cup take another step forward”, says Jerker Lindstén, CEO of HiQ in Gothenburg.

“We are very happy to enter this partnership with HiQ because our digital platform is very important and we want to take every opportunity to interact with our fans and give them news about our event. We look forward to working together with HiQ and I hope they get a lot out of the event at Marstrand this summer”, says Jan Torstenson, CEO at Brandspot who organize Stena Match Cup together with the Royal Gothenburg Yacht Club

Sporting Kansas City Announce MillerCoors Partnership

Current Major League Soccer (MLS) champions Sporting Kansas City have announced a sponsorship deal with brewery MillerCoors that makes Coors Light the club’s official domestic beer partner.

The partnership includes naming rights for the Coors Light Cold Zone, an exclusive terrace area in the southwest corner of Sporting Park for legal-drinking-age fans to enjoy all-inclusive food and beverage options during Sporting Kansas City home matches. 

“We are pleased to introduce Coors Light as the team’s official domestic beer partner,” said Jamie Guin, Sporting Kansas City’s vice president of corporate partnerships. “With the welcomed addition of Coors Light in-stadium this season, all in attendance have the opportunity to enjoy an industry-leading beverage throughout the state-of-the-art venue. Moreover, the Coors Light Cold Zone provides a destination tailored for fans to eat, drink and enjoy games from one of the most popular locations at Sporting Park.”

The team’s “We Defend Together” marketing campaign will be featured on Coors Light out-of-home advertising and retail point-of-sale materials throughout the Kansas City area. The brand also will host watch parties at area bars and restaurants, where fans will have the chance to win tickets to future games. Additionally, Coors Light will give away VIP experiences that will include Sporting KC tickets, a behind-the-scenes stadium tour and on-field access during pre-game warm-ups.

At all Sporting KC home games, Coors Light will host a designated driver booth on the concourse level at Sporting Park. People who pledge to be a designated driver and help others get home safely will have the chance to win tickets to upcoming Sporting KC games.

“Sporting Kansas City has been one of the strongest teams in MLS since its debut, but has made especially impressive strides over the past three years,” said Michael Lowe, MillerCoors general manager-sales for Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. “By opening Sporting Park and winning the U.S. Open Cup and the MLS cup, the team has developed a rabid fan base that contributes to a great experience throughout the season. With Coors Light, we’re thrilled to do our part to make that experience even better.”

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Essendon FC Extend Toll Group Partnership

Australian Football League (AFL) club Essendon FC have renewed its partnership with transport company Toll Group for a further two years.

A Premium Partner since 2011, ambulance Toll is represented on the Bombers game day shorts, and provides the Club with its property van.

Toll Group Managing Director Brian Kruger said the partnership approach taken by Essendon was a large factor in continuing Toll’s support.

“This new partnership ensures both organisations are able to add value to each other through the sharing of knowledge and experience,” Mr Kruger said.

“Following our discussions about the changes within the Club, and Essendon’s plans to continuously improve, Toll has great confidence in the future of the Club on and off the field, and is pleased to continue our support.”

Essendon Chairman Paul Little said the official announcement of Toll¹s ongoing association with the Club was welcome news.

“The Club is excited that our very strong partnership with Toll will continue for the next two seasons,” Little said.

“We are very appreciative of the genuine partnership that we have with Toll and thank them for their ongoing support of Essendon.”

Intersport Becomes Official Partner of Champions Hockey League

Pan-European club ice hockey competition, adiposity the Champions Hockey League has announced Intersport as an Official Partner from August 2014.

Infront Sports & Media, the exclusive marketing and media partner for the Champions Hockey League signed the international sports retailer in an agreement that runs for three years, until the end of the 2016/17 season.

The marketing platform of the Champions Hockey League was developed by Infront and includes three levels of sponsorships. The second level features four Official Partnerships, which will be implemented across the entire competition from the first game through to the final.

The package includes perimeter board advertising across all 149 games in TV camera view and full integration across all communication and promotional materials – including the website and streaming platform. In addition, Intersport will be featured through promotional spots on video cubes within major arenas and receive a hospitality contingent across all stages of the competition. It also receives the right to use the Champions Hockey League logo for its communication efforts and at point of sale.

Franz Julen, CEO of Intersport International Corporation (IIC), said: “As a partner of several of the biggest sports events and as the world’s largest sports retailer Intersport wanted to be the first on board when one of the most promising international sports products is launched. The Champions Hockey League guarantees a high level of sporting competition and fan emotion when international teams face one another. Thanks to the centralised sponsorship platform introduced by Infront, we are now able to associate the Intersport brand alongside the top European ice hockey clubs and their fans in key Intersport markets like Austria, Finland, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland.”

Bruno Marty, Infront’s Executive Director Winter Sports, added: “Like no other marketing platform in club ice-hockey, the Champions Hockey League provides season-long pan-European exposure combined with regional activation options. It makes a perfect fit for Intersport as a Pan-European retailer and the company is ideally positioned to exploit this highly engaging and multi-national sports platform – offering wide reach into all major winter sports markets in a highly effective way.”