Friends Life to Title Sponsor Inaugural Women’s Tour Cycle Race

Life assurance company Friends Life has been unveiled as the title sponsor of the inaugural Women’s Tour cycle race, which runs from 7th – 11th May 2014.

The five-stage road race gets underway in Oundle, Northamptonshire and finishes in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, where the first ever winner of The Friends Life Women’s Tour will be crowned. Along the way, stages will take place in Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex and Suffolk.

The sponsorship entitlement will include the Friends Life Yellow Jersey, which will be worn each day by the race leader.

Andy Briggs, Group Chief Executive of Friends Life, was joined by Olympic Gold Medal winner and triple world champion Dani King and double World Junior Road Race Champion Lucy Garner for the announcement of the sponsorship at Friends Life’s London HQ.

Briggs said: “We are delighted to be the main sponsor of the first ever Women’s Tour and we are proud to support cycling and women’s sport in general. The Women’s Tour is an ideal partner for Friends Life as we continue to build our brand.

“Our business is about developing financial fitness through each stage of life whether it’s saving for retirement or financially protecting families. We fully support what the Women’s Tour is trying to achieve – there are many other great activities connected to the race giving opportunities for more people to get involved in sport.”

Hugh Roberts, Chief Executive of organisers SweetSpot said: “We are delighted to be working alongside Friends Life for The Women’s Tour this May and we are looking forward to working with them to ensure that women’s cycling gains the platform it deserves and hope this partnership grows ever stronger in the future.”

Living Essentials to Sponsor MLL’s Rob Pannell

Major League Lacrosse (MLL) player Rob Pannell has secured a new partner with Living Essentials, the distributor of 5-hour ENERGY shots, sponsoring the New York Lizards’ attackman.

Additionally, 5-hour ENERGY will be the exclusive energy product of the U.S. Professional Outdoor Lacrosse Teams, which include the New York Lizards, Boston Cannons, Charlotte Hounds, Chesapeake Bayhawks, Denver Outlaws, Florida Launch, Ohio Machine and Rochester Rattlers.  As part of the sponsorship, the 2013 Champion Chesapeake Bayhawks will wear the 5-hour ENERGY logo on their uniforms.

Pannell, who has signed a one-year deal, will appear in print, broadcast and online advertisements, and will participate in various promotions for the company.  Entering the league by storm in 2013, Pannell has been a stalwart for the New York Lizards’ offense, leading the team in goals, assists and points despite appearing in only 10 games. The NCAA all-time points leader also earned the 2013 Rookie of the Year award.

“From the intense training sessions to the nonstop action on the field, 5-hour ENERGY has helped me feel energized and alert,” said Pannell.

“Since its inception in 2001, professional outdoor lacrosse has shown exponential growth.   We hope our sponsorship will help earn additional participation and exposure for this fast-paced, highly skilled, and fabled sport,” said Scott Henderson, president, Living Essentials.

E-Lites Renews British Superbikes Championship Partnership

Electronic cigarette brand E-Lites have extended their partnership with the MCE British Superbikes Championship following a successful 2013 season with the UK’s biggest motorsport series.

The E-Lites partnership will include trackside and event branding as well as a range of other on-site and premium marketing rights. Spectators at MCE BSB rounds will be able to use E-Lites throughout the venues, physician so smokers can enjoy an alternative to smoking without the risk of missing any of the on-track action.

The E-Lites brand will also feature on the track in the Motorpoint British Supersport Evo Championship, continuing their partnership with Tim Hastings and the Team E-Lites Kawasaki team. The Scottish rider had a successful campaign in 2013 and is ready to build on the experiences of last season which included two podium finishes.

Trevor Field, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of E-Lites, said: “We are delighted to team up with British Superbikes for another season. Last year was an exciting one for developing E-Lites partnerships, and our work with BSB and our riders was one of the highlights. The fans and staff at MCE British Superbikes are always in excellent form and we’re looking forward to spending another year working alongside them.”

Stuart Higgs, MCE British Superbikes Championship Series Director concluded: “I am delighted that we have extended our partnership with E-Lites as our 2013 ground-breaking joint venture was the first time a smoking related product returned to motorsport sponsorship since 2005. We have developed a fantastic working relationship with the brand and I’m sure our partnership will continue to strengthen throughout the year. We will continue to promote the benefits of switching to E-Lites, a non-tobacco related product, to our global audience.”

Delhi Duty Free to Sponsor Delhi Daredevils for IPL 7

Indian duty free retailer Delhi Duty Free has announced an association with the Delhi Daredevils as official partners for IPL 2014.

This is the first time any Indian duty free has entered into the sponsorship with a sports event.  

The DDFS logo will be on the Delhi Daredevils jersey and the partnership will entail a series of marketing activations. As the Official Team Partner, here DDFS will be entitled to a number of benefits besides its logo on the team jerseys andwill have significant in-stadium presence during Delhi Daredevils matches.

The DD promotional campaign will start at the DDFS shops from 16th April and will last till 1st June 2014.Customer’s shopping with us can win a chance to meet the Dare Devils team members, win team merchandise, match tickets, a chance to participate in the match day coin toss and much more.

Mr. Duncan Lawley, CEO, Delhi Duty Free on the association, said: “Being the most watched sports event in the country, the Indian Premier League serves as a lucrative platform to reach out to our customers and leverage our brand at a national level. It is an honour for us to partner with one of the best IPL team – Delhi Daredevils. The format of the game is very entertaining and highly active. Our promotional initiatives, too, are equally exciting and engaging of our customers where they can win a BMW X1 at the end of the campaign. “

He further added “We at Delhi Duty Free have always endeavoured to provide the best of offers and promotions to our customers. This is a new initiative for us & we expect our association with the DD to create a lot of interest & excitement amongst our customers during the event & beyond.”

McLaren Mercedes Expand Gillette Partnership

Formula 1 team McLaren Mercedes have announced an expanded partnership with male grooming brand, Gillette. 

The two brands are extending their partnership to bring to life an innovative marketing campaign focused on Precision Engineering. 

The partnership covers the Europe, Middle East and Africa. Gillette and McLaren, which share an ethos of innovation and precision engineering, are coming together for an exciting new marketing campaign emphasising the ways the two brands push boundaries of technology. With this partnership, the male shaving category will move up a gear. 

The new marketing campaign that aims to reach and inspire millions of men with cutting edge communication behind TV, Digital, PR and In-store programs. McLaren Mercedes F1 drivers Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen will engage men’s passion for Formula 1 and thrill the millions that enjoy Gillette grooming expertise and superior technology day in, day out. 

Eric Boullier, Racing Director at McLaren Mercedes, said: “It is very exciting to be able to announce a new partnership between McLaren Mercedes and Gillette.  Gillette is synonymous with precision engineering and with innovation. These are values we hold dear at McLaren as we strive to deliver world beating performance. The fact that a global brand, of the stature of Gillette, has chosen to engage in a major multi-national partnership with McLaren Mercedes is also a reflection of the strength of our brand and our ability to reach millions of avid motorsport fans around the world.” 

“Gillette has a rich heritage of making men feel and be at their best. We stand for excellence in shaving. We couldn’t think of any partner that shares those values more than McLaren Mercedes”, commented Hossam Ashour, Gillette Europe, the Middle East and Africa Shave Care Vice President. “For more than 40 years McLaren has innovated in superior engineering and performance. This makes them the ideal partner to demonstrate our belief in the importance of the precision when it comes to shaving.” 

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NBA All-Star Damian Lillard Renews Endorsement Deal with Adidas

Global sportswear giant adidas has announced a new extended partnership with NBA All-Star Damian Lillard.

The Portland Trail Blazers point guard will continue to be an integral part of adidas Basketball’s marketing campaigns, product launches and global initiatives moving forward. 

“adidas has been great to me over my first two seasons,” said Lillard. “I’ve had the opportunity to wear a lot of great product, help design special versions of shoes, be a part of TV commercials and travel the world with the brand. I’m excited for what the future holds for me and adidas.” 

Lillard’s dedication to basketball brought immediate success in his young NBA career, including being named the unanimous Kia NBA Rookie of the Year. This season, Lillard took another step forward, earning a spot on the Western Conference NBA All-Star team where he also became the first player to complete in all five events at All-Star weekend. 

“Damian has proven to be not only an amazing basketball player, but a great partner, member of the community and someone who creates excitement for our products,” said Chris Grancio, adidas head of global basketball sports marketing. “His leadership and commitment to success on the court and his ability to interact and relate to fans through social media and the community make him the perfect fit to be one of the cornerstones of the adidas brand.” 

Other adidas athletes include Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, WNBA MVP Candace Parker and four-time FIFA World Player of the Year Lionel Messi FC Barcelona.

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Amlin Plus to Sponsor Italian Jockey Andrea Atzeni

Italian jockey Andrea Atzeni has signed a year-long sponsorship deal with equine insurance specialists Amlin Plus.

Twenty-three-year-old Atzeni began his career as apprentice to successful Milan based trainer Alduino Botti, discount father of the UK trainer Marco Botti. After success in Italy, drugs Atzeni transferred to Botti’s in Newmarket. Atzeni’s first notable success in the UK came in 2009 on the David Simcock trained Darley Sun in the famous Cesarewich Handicap. In 2013, Atzeni won the Italian Derby and scored his first domestic Group 1 winner with Kingston Hill in the Racing Post Trophy, helping him to achieve an impressive 120 winners which put him ninth in the UK leading jockeys table.

Atzeni said, “I am delighted to be joining Amlin Plus and linking up with such a well-known and respected brand. I enjoy the support of top yards, principally trainers Roger Varian, Luca Cumani and Marco Botti and I am looking forward to working with Amlin Plus in furthering my profile.”

David Ashby, Managing Director of Amlin Plus added, “Andrea is a very talented young jockey whose career has really taken off over the last 12 months and we are delighted to be adding him to the high profile portfolio of jockeys we sponsor. We wish him the very best of luck for the coming flat season and look forward to working with him.”

RNTS Media Partner with Clipper Race’s Invest Africa Yacht

Digital media company RNTS Media announced its official partnership of the Invest Africa entry of the Clipper 13-14 Race at South Beach Yacht Club in San Francisco.

The company is the leader in all-in-one cloud-based broadcasting and video-on-demand platform and educational and youth entertainment content, ampoule developing highly popular gaming apps for mobile use. 

The announcement today was attended by RNTS used US board member, drugs California-based film producer and financier Ryan Kavanaugh (Founder & CEO, allergy Relativity Media) and Guy Dubois (Chairman, SecureAlert). They were joined by South Korean RNTS Media CEO Jai Paik and RNTS board member Dirk Van Daele for a tour and sail in the bay on board the 70-foot ocean racer that has crossed over 30,678 miles of ocean since leaving London last September. 

RNTS board member, Dirk Van Daele said: “We thought a partnership with the Invest Africa sponsored team in the Clipper Race is an exciting and great way to be linked to Africa as an expanding market. They skipped the fixed landline moving straight into mobility. The smartphone usage is coming into the forefront in the African continent very quickly and is a very interesting and a potential huge market for our company.”

Singapore Airlines Becomes New Title Sponsor of Singapore GP

Singapore Airlines has replaced Singtel as the new title sponsor of the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix.

This year’s event will be named the 2014 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix and will take place from 19 to 21 September at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

“We are thrilled to be taking up the title sponsorship of one of the most exciting races on the F1 calendar, and we are especially pleased to be doing so in the lead-up to Singapore’s 50th birthday next year,” said Singapore Airlines CEO, Mr Goh Choon Phong.

“Singapore Airlines has always supported the development of both sports and tourism. Through our involvement with the world’s first F1 night race we will be able to enhance both for the benefit of Singaporeans and visitors alike.”

Formula One Group CEO Mr Bernie Ecclestone added: “We are very happy to have Singapore Airlines join the Formula One family by becoming the Title Sponsor of the extremely popular Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix, which was the first Formula 1 night race, and demonstrates Singapore’s forward thinking, an attribute Singapore Airlines has always achieved.”

Mr Ong Beng Seng of Singapore GP Pte Ltd: “We are delighted to welcome Singapore Airlines as Title Sponsor for the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix. Given the iconic brand’s phenomenal global reach, this synergistic partnership will provide the widest exposure and fantastic opportunities in the promotion of both Singapore and Formula 1 around the world.”

HotelPlanner to Title Sponsor PGA EuroPro Tour

Hotel comparison website HotelPlanner.com has become the new title sponsor Europe’s leading satellite tour, ailment PGA EuroPro Tour, cialis in 2014.

As well as title sponsoring the UK and Ireland’s leading tour, HotelPlanner.com will also be assisting Europe’s best young golfers by offering fantastic discounts as well as free hotel room credit for players to use at HotelPlanner.com.

Providing vital experience of life on tour, players will compete in 16 main events at some of the UK and Ireland’s premier golfing venues, including The Belfry (Brabazon Ryder Cup Course), Prince’s, The Oxfordshire and The Carrick on Loch Lomond.

Tim Hentschel, CEO of HotelPlanner.com, said: “HotelPlanner’s previous sponsorship of the PGA EuroPro Tour proved to be an exceptional placement, for 2014 it is exciting to become the title sponsor for this year’s season.

“With free hotel room giveaways for fans and guaranteed lowest hotel prices only found on HotelPlanner.com, we look forward to bringing tremendous value to the Tour for both traveling players and loyal fans alike.”

Daniel Godding, Director of Operations at the PGA EuroPro Tour added: “HotelPlanner’s commitment to the Tour is brilliant, and we are delighted they will be sponsoring the HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour this season.

“HotelPlanner.com is a company which fits in perfectly with the Tour, and I know the players will be very pleased with the benefits of having such an organisation sponsoring the Tour.