FIA Appoints Two New Suppliers for Rallycross Championships

Motorsport governing body FIA have announced the appointment of two new suppliers for their Rallycross Championships.

The appointments follow a tendering process begun in June of 2013 and which centred on selection criteria aimed at reducing the cost of racing, ensuring sporting equity and safety, and guaranteeing the best possible product.

Cooper Tire Europe, through its Avon Tyres Motorsport division, has been designated as Single Tyre Supplier to both the FIA European and World Rallycross Championships. The agreement extends the company’s traditional relationship with the European Championship – to which it supplied tyres in 2013 to numerous competitors – but also includes the new World Rallycross Championship, which begins on May 3 in Portugal.

Avon Tyres Motorsport has also been added as a supplier. As a control tyre supplier, the company currently provides products to the British F3 and GT Championships, as well as the Dutch GT4 and Swedish GT series in Europe, the IMSA Prototype Lites, Pro-Mazda, Indy Lights and USF2000 series in the US, the Australian Formula Ford Championship and Abu Dhabi’s Gulf 12Hr event.

LeBron James Inks New Marketing Deal with Sprite

NBA superstar LeBron James has sealed a new marketing deal with Coca-Cola brand Sprite to launch a new flavour.

Sprite 6 Mix by LeBron James is the first limited-edition Sprite flavor formulated in partnership with the NBA champion and cultural icon. The beverage combines the taste of traditional Sprite with a splash of cherry and orange flavor. The flavor formulation, packaging graphics and product name of Sprite 6 Mix were co-developed with James to truly reflect his style and taste preferences.

“LeBron James is the perfect partner to bring our fans new product innovation,” said Kimberly Paige, Associate Vice President, Sprite Brands, Coca-Cola North America. “We’ve enjoyed an amazing relationship with LeBron since he entered the NBA in 2003, and we’re proud to have him contribute to Sprite in a meaningful way that we know will excite Sprite lovers and his fans.”

Beginning in mid-March, Sprite 6 Mix by LeBron James will appear on store shelves nationwide for a limited time. It will be available in 20-ounce bottles and 19.2-ounce cans, and will be sold in convenience retail and value stores. 

“Growing up drinking Sprite, I never imagined I would have my own flavor someday,” James said. “I had a great time working with the Sprite team to turn my favorite flavors into a pretty cool variation of one of my favorite brands. I’m proud of what we created and I’m excited for my fans to try it.”

Sprite 6 Mix by LeBron James will be supported by a multichannel advertising campaign. The effort will include a 15-second commercial and digital videos featuring James and his marketing team during a real working session at LRMR offices in Akron, Ohio. Out-of-home on digital billboards and digital banner ads will feature the product and campaign tagline: LeBron Has Changed The Game. Again.

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Giordano’s Named Official Pizza of Chicago Fire

Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise Chicago Fire have announced Giordano’s Famous Stuffed Pizza as the new exclusive and official pizza of the Fire. 

Through the partnership, both Giordano’s and the Fire aim to expand awareness of their brands and fully assume their roles as leaders in their respective categories, with the shared goal of making an impact on the city and owning the soccer conversation in Chicago.

“Giordano’s and the Chicago Fire are united by a commitment to hospitality,” said Giordano’s CEO Yorgo Koutsogiorgas. “We both enjoy creating a vibrant energy and environment and serving people of all ages. From families and young adults to lifelong soccer fans, Giordano’s and the Chicago Fire look forward to bringing customers back for more, week after week, all year round.”

“Chicago is known for its deep-dish pizza and sports, so it makes perfect sense for Giordano’s and the Fire to partner up,” said Chicago Fire Chief Operating Officer Atul Khosla. “We couldn’t be more excited and are looking forward to working together to deliver an exciting and authentic soccer experience for our fans.”

To jumpstart the partnership, Giordano’s and the Fire are delivering pizzas today to Chicago Fire Department firefighters across downtown Chicago as a small token of appreciation for the city’s first responders and their brave work and sacrifice to keep the community safe. Sparky, the Fire’s Dalmatian mascot, will lead the effort.

Additionally, Giordano’s announced that restaurant locations across the city will run a promotion: Any person who orders a pizza at participating Giordano’s restaurants between March 19 and 22 will be entered to win a Giordano’s- and Fire-branded soccer ball and two tickets to the season opener.

Another focal point of the partnership is that Giordano’s will be the presenting sponsor of an upcoming locally broadcast, regular season Fire home game. The agreement includes brand visibility on printed and digital platforms, recognition in Fire commercial spots leading up to the game, logo projection on the video board clock-wrap for the entire match, sponsorship of the halftime t-shirt toss, and pre-game ceremony participation. Giordano’s also will deliver pizza to a lucky row in the stadium that day.

Per the terms of the partnership, the Chicago Fire will advertise Giordano’s in many ways – on LED screens, in social media, on the Club’s website, in printed collateral and distributed coupon books, in agreed-upon promotions, and through visibility during FireFest.

Additionally, Giordano’s will be a supporting sponsor of the Chicago Fire Rec Soccer League, receiving branding on select league collateral, the right to distribute coupon offerings to league participants, and field branding at the Chicago Fire Soccer Center, the Club’s new practice and training facility set to open in Roscoe Village this summer.

Eurosport Announce New Global Cycling Ambassador

Three time winner of the Tour de France, Greg LeMond was announced as Eurosport’s new Global Cycling Ambassador.

As part of the new signing Greg LeMond will join Eurosport’s on-air 2014 to provide on site analysis at Paris-RoubaixGiro d’Italia and the Tour de France across the channel’s 54 European markets in an exclusive preview and review show entitled “LeMond on Tour”.

LeMond is the latest to join Eurosport’s other global ambassadors like triple Olympic swimming champion Pieter van den Hoogenband and Didier Cuche, Alpine Skiing World Champion.

The American is delighted with the signing and commented that it felt like the right time to get back into the heart of cycling again and the one place he could really do that was with Eurosport.

Arnaud Simon, Eurosport Group’s TV Content Director said: “It is a great story that Greg was the very first Tour de France winner to be broadcast live on Eurosport back in 1989 and now we welcome him to the Eurosport family as we celebrate our own 25th anniversary year. He is an iconic figure in cycling and joins a very illustrious list of former champions in our dream-team of experts. It demonstrates Eurosport is always looking for innovative ways to enhance our programming and give our subscribers even deeper understanding of the sports they love.”

Mars Becomes Official Confectionery Partner of AFL

The Australian Football League (AFL) have announced a new partnership with Mars Chocolate, herbal one of Australia’s leading consumer brand companies.

The partnership sees Mars enhance its longstanding involvement with Australian Football, taking over as the AFL’s official confectionery partner for the next three years.

As the company behind many of Australia’s most enduring brands, Mars has been supporting AFL clubs and players for almost two decades, most recently as the joint major sponsor of the Carlton Football Club.

AFL Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Demetriou, said the AFL was delighted to be partnering with a company that has enjoyed a long and successful association with Australian Football.

“Mars has been a proud supporter of the AFL for many years – particularly through our clubs and players – so we’re pleased to be able to elevate that relationship to a national scale,” Mr Demetriou said.

”Through Mars’ ongoing sponsorship of the Carlton Football Club we’ve seen a high level of support for the game as well as some of the most innovative marketing campaigns in Australian sport.

“This new agreement takes our association to an unprecedented level across the entire industry and we’re extremely excited to see where this partnership goes over the next few years.”

Mars Chocolate General Manager Michael Ryan said: “Mars has been making chocolate in Australia for over 30 years and during most of that time we have enjoyed an association with footy clubs and players. One of the most memorable partnerships was in 1997 when we announced the launch of blue M&M’s, where in a first for an AFL club, Carlton changed from their traditional navy blue to a royal blue jumper for one home and one away game.

“Our partnership with the AFL will allow us to showcase some great initiatives on a national stage and that’s something were very excited about.”

Everton Sign £16 million Plus Sponsorship Renewal with Chang

Everton FC have announced a lucrative sponsorship extension with Chang Beer worth in excess of £16 million.

The deal is considered the biggest sponsorship deal in the Club’s 136-year history. 

The deal, which gets underway at the start of next season, runs for three years until the end of the 2016/17 campaign and remains the longest-running shirt sponsorship in the Barclays Premier League. 

Having signed initially in 2004, the Blues have now worn the iconic Chang brand for 10 seasons, renewing the partnership on four separate occasions – in 2005, 2008, 2010 and now in 2014.  

“Everton has enjoyed a special relationship with Chang extending now for 10 years,” said Everton Chief Executive Robert Elstone. “In that period, we have grown to understand one another, delivered great work, helped achieve objectives and developed a truly great partnership and, indeed a friendship, based on mutual trust, respect and affection. 

“We do not take our partnership and all that we have achieved lightly. Everton is very proud of our mutual success to date.

“Chang is a business that has always provided great support, not just financially, but also as a gateway to our fans in Thailand. Over 10 years we have delivered some exciting, award-winning projects and with the same levels of creativity and commitment, I’m sure the years ahead will be as exciting off the field as they look set to be on it.

“Everton is exceptionally proud to extend its partnership with a world-class organisation, an organisation where people matter; an organisation where, like us, only the best will do. I would like to thank Khun Thapana and all our friends at Chang for supporting our team.”

Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, President and CEO of Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, added: “Chang and Everton Football Club have joined forces once again after 10 years of solid friendship. 

“Chang’s sponsorship with Everton football team is our proudest accomplishment, as we are inspiring people, especially youngsters, regardless of status to become responsible people in society, with positive thinking and attitude – all gained through football. 

“We have also created an unprecedented phenomenon in the Thai football scene, where talented Thai football youngsters can earn a chance to be trained by world-renowned Everton Academy coaches. 

“Over the years, Chang has seen the steady progress of Everton and to celebrate this, we are holding the ‘Chang-Everton: More Good Years’ event, celebrating 10 years of great partnership to further boost Thai talent to the next level.”

Adidas to Supply Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Kit for 2014 World Cup

German sports giant adidas has announced today a long-term kit partnership with the Football Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The deal commences from June 1st 2014 and will see Bosnia and Herzegovina wearing new adidas kits during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, order where the team will make its first major tournament appearance as an independent nation.

Highly regarded as an up-and-coming nation in world football, remedy Bosnia and Herzegovina recently rose to 17th in the FIFA World Rankings after winning its 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil qualifying group ahead of Greece.

Bosnia and Herzegovina will wear the new kits for the first time on June 3rd in Chicago when the team take on fellow adidas federation Mexico in a friendly match, ambulance while the kits will go on sale two days earlier on June 1st.

adidas already possesses close links with Bosnian football, with existing partnership deals with high profile Bosnian players including: Edin Džeko of Manchester City; Miralem Pjani? of Roma and national team captain Emir Spahi? of Bayer Leverkusen.

Claus-Peter Mayer, VP Global Sports Marketing Football at adidas, said of the announcement: “This is a great deal for adidas to have signed with an emerging football nation of huge potential and demonstrates our continued investment in football around the world. As the global leader in football, the 2014 World Cup in Brazil will see our cutting edge technology displayed on a world stage, including the latest adidas federation kits – the most advanced and lightest we have ever produced.”

Elvedin Begi?, president of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Federation said: “This is a landmark moment for our nation – making our first appearance in a major tournament and partnering with adidas. We are proud to be working with such a historic and prestigious brand. The proven performance and continuous innovation of adidas gives an extra lift to Bosnian football.”

Roush Fenway Racing Inks EcoPower Partnership

Roush Fenway Racing (RFR) today announced a multi-year team-wide partnership with Safety-Kleen and its premium re-refined motor oil brand, cheap EcoPower.

EcoPower will serve as the official oil partner of NASCAR’s winningest team, cialis as well as the primary sponsor for multiple races with the No. 17 Sprint Cup Ford and driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. The No. 17 EcoPower Ford Fusion will make its debut at Michigan International Speedway in June.

“We are pleased to have EcoPower on board as our official oil partner,” said team owner Jack Roush. “The partnership reflects Roush Fenway’s commitment to both sustainability and using highest quality products. EcoPower protects engines and protects the environment.

“We have had great success in our race cars with re-refined oil and we look forward to continuing that success with EcoPower, while promoting environmental responsibility throughout this season and into the future.”

“The environmental benefits of re-refined oils have been rigorously evaluated and proven,” said Curt Knapp, Safety-Kleen executive vice president, marketing and oil re-refining sales. “Fleet operators and consumers want to be absolutely confident that the oil will protect their valuable investment. We can’t think of a stronger, more authentic endorsement for EcoPower than Jack Roush using it in his race cars to achieve peak protection and performance.”

Derbyshire Cricket Signs Largest Ever Sponsorship Deal with 3aaa

UK’s leading national training providers 3aaa (Aspire Achieve Advance Ltd) has become Derbyshire County Cricket Club’s first ever stadium naming rights partner.

The six-figure deal is the largest commercial partnership in the history of the Club. It will see the ground renamed as The 3aaa County Ground (pronounced verbally as The 3a County Ground) as well as 3aaa becoming Derbyshire’s NatWest T20 Blast shirt sponsor.

Also, as part of the ground-breaking partnership, 3aaa will provide four high quality, industry experienced apprentices to join Derbyshire’s off-field commercial and administration team.

Derbyshire CCC Chairman Chris Grant continued: “We are delighted to be in partnership with 3aaa. The deal announced today is by far the largest commercial partnership financially in the history of the Club and is another step forward for us in narrowing the revenue gap with other counties.

“Everything we’ve done and continue to do on and off-the-field over the last six months is designed to bring long term success on the pitch and this ground-breaking partnership is the next step in achieving this goal.”

Peter Marples, 3aaa Director, added: “We are delighted to embark on this breakthrough partnership with Derbyshire and proud to be supporting our local County Cricket Club.

“As 3aaa continues to expand, we wanted to secure a major sponsorship deal to raise our profile and strengthen our brand awareness. We felt Derbyshire, with their ambitions for success and commitment to elite performance, were the perfect fit. 

“As a Derbyshire based business, we are also keen to contribute to businesses at the heart of the local community; this partnership will help achieve that objective.”

ATP Extends ENEL Partnership

The ATP has extended their partnership with Italian power company, professional viagra ENEL.

The leading international electricity provider serves 61 million customers across 40 countries.

ENEL has been a Gold Partner of the ATP World Tour since 2007 and will continue to benefit from on-site brand activation at selected ATP World Tour tournaments through 2016.

In 2013, ENEL-sponsored ATP tournaments were watched by over 167 million TV viewers and attended by 562,000 fans. The new partnership will be centred around some of the most prestigious events on the ATP World Tour, including two ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events – the Sony Open Tennis in Miami, and the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome – and the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 in London.

The partnership will continue to promote the ENEL brand and services, not only in those key markets, but around the world through the ATP’s global TV coverage, which has increased 75% since 2008.

“We thank ENEL for their loyalty and look forward to celebrating our 10 years of collaboration. Renewing a partnership for a third time, as we are with ENEL today, is extremely rewarding,” said Laurent Delanney, ATP Commercial Director. “It means a lot, especially in such a competitive and fast changing environment. This renewal shows that we are successfully adapting and tailoring our sponsorship packages to our partners’ objectives.

“I am also proud that ENEL’s decision to continue our collaboration is based on facts and figures,” added Delanney. “To give an example, in 2013, ENEL’s exposure generated by the TV broadcast of their sponsored ATP tournaments increased by 26% in comparison with the previous year. Our sponsorship programmes deliver tangible results for our partners.”

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