UEFA Thanks Ford as 21-Year Partnership Set to End

UEFA have thanked Ford for its partnership as the American car manufacturer will end its 21-year association with the European soccer governing body at the end of the season.

The 2014 UEFA Champions League final in Lisbon on 24 May will mark the end of the collaboration. The Champions League has provided Ford an integral part of its marketing strategy.

Ford initially made use of the UEFA Champions League platform in 1992/93, launching the new Mondeo, and over the past 21 years Ford has used its sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League to launch several key models, including the Ford S-MAX, Kuga and B-MAX, as well as the new generations of Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo. The all-new Ford Mustang will also be unveiled at the upcoming final in Lisbon.

Commenting on the end of this long-standing partnership, Guy-Laurent Epstein, marketing director of UEFA Events SA, said: “Ford has been a UEFA Champions League sponsor since the inception of the competition in the 1992/93 season, and has greatly helped the competition grow over the last 21 years through a vast amount of promotional work and activities.

“It has been a very cooperative and mutually beneficial partnership. The link to the world’s premier club football competition provided an ideal platform to connect with millions of fans and promote common values. UEFA would like to thank Ford for its tremendous commitment and support over more than two decades.”

Stephen Odell, president of Ford Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “With the arrival of the Ford Mustang in Europe, we are finishing our long-standing sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League on a high note. While both Ford and UEFA have benefited from our partnership, now is the right time for Ford to move in a new direction as we accelerate new product launches in Europe, with more than 25 new vehicles coming over the next five years.”

{jcomments on}

Betway to Title Sponsor Froch/Groves Rematch

Betway, sick and online betting and casino company, tadalafil has become the title sponsor of the WBA and IBF super-middleweight world title rematch between Carl Froch and George Groves on May 31.

Betway struck the deal with Matchroom Sport, which is promoting the event at Wembley Stadium.

Froch prevailed over Groves with a controversial ninth-round stoppage when the fighters met in Manchester last November. The clash at the end of May will be the first boxing event staged at Wembley Stadium since the venue reopened in 2007.

As part of the deal, Betway has secured the title sponsorship of Matchroom’s next major boxing promotion this Saturday, when former light-heavyweight world title challenger Tony Bellew faces Russian cruiserweight Valery Brudov in Liverpool.

“This is undoubtedly one of the biggest fights in British boxing history, with a rivalry, strength, and focus that has not only captured the attention of avid boxing fans, but has stirred the interest of sports fans around the world,” Betway executive director Bob Dutnall said.

“This sponsorship is another step in our developing commitment to supporting world class sporting action and reinforces our position as one of the pre-eminent brands in online sports betting.”

KonaRed to Supply USA Volleyball Cup 2014

USA Volleyball has signed an agreement with KonaRed Corporation designating the beverage producer as an Official Supplier for the USA Volleyball Cup 2014.

The USA Volleyball Cup is a series of events featuring the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Volleyball Teams that will be held in July and August. 

As an official supplier to the USA Volleyball Cup, KonaRed will further promote its brand, showcase its product and proactively target the sports industry.

“USA Volleyball is extremely pleased to partner with KonaRed as an Official Supplier for our USA Volleyball Cup events to be held this summer in the United States,” USA Volleyball Secretary General Kerry Klostermann said. “KonaRed’s assortment of healthy fruit juices is a perfect match with the values of our sport.”

KonaRed will be recognized on all USA Volleyball Cup promotions, press and public relations for the series of competitions. KonaRed and its logo will be included in press backdrops, email promotions and social media/digital marketing efforts. In addition KonaRed will receive venue signage, public address announcer recognition during events, and product sampling opportunities.

“We are very excited to be a part of USA Volleyball Cup 2014,” KonaRed Corporation CEO Shaun Roberts said. “This opportunity will not only enable us to increase brand visibility, but it will also allow us to gain new customers and market share while enhancing our competitive position in the marketplace.”

Sockwa Named Official Footwear Sponsor of 2014 EVP Pro-Am Beach Volleyball Tour

Sockwa Corporation, ambulance a footwear supplier, has announced they will be the official footwear sponsor of the 2014 EVP Pro-Am Beach Volleyball Tour, the largest US beach volleyball tour.

“The EVP tour sponsorship provides an effective launching pad for Sockwa in the U.S. market with coast-to-coast reach across a range of media. We look forward to working together with the EVP and its loyal athletes, staff and participants,” stated Sockwa founder, David Zasloff.

The EVP Tour was established in 1994 by Ross Balling. The EVP Team has brought together a tour of Volleyball Professionals to play and teach the game of Beach Volleyball. The Volleyball Professionals teach students at the EVP Academies where students learn quality volleyball instruction and program management. They have trained over 20,000 students to date.

The EVP Tour supports beach volleyball events that engage families, fans, athletes, students, communities, and sponsors in a great day at the beach. Not only do the fans get to watch top athletes compete on the sand, but they also get to interact with players in contests and promotions and feel as they are a part of the event.

“The EVP Tour has the youthful, active, healthy image that resonates with Sockwa consumers’ active lifestyles and their effective management of work, sport, and social, with dedication to balancing overall health and wellness,” commented David Zasloff, Founder & CEO of Sockwa.

Sockwa and the EVP Tour will visit sixteen key markets across the country yearly from May through September. The EVP Tour is a founding member for the Beach Sports Network visible on the Comcast Sports Network. Sockwa will also participate in the EVP Youth, Junior Series and Regional Amateur Tournaments as part of its 2014 sponsorship.

“I am thrilled to have Sockwa as the footwear sponsor of the EVP Tour,” said Ross Balling, Tour Commissioner. “The Tour staff and players are excited to be wearing Sockwa on the beach all season.”

Puma Remains Apparel Sponsor of Toyota Cheetahs Until 2016

German sports apparel giant PUMA has extended its partnership with the Free State Rugby Union and will continue to be the official technical and apparel sponsor of Super Rugby team Toyota Cheetahs through to the 2016 season.  

PUMA first signed a commercial agreement with the Free State Rugby Union in October 2010 and has been the official technical and apparel sponsor of the Toyota Cheetahs and Toyota Free State Cheetahs throughout this period, with the Cheetahs wearing PUMA kit during the Super Rugby, Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup tournaments. 

“PUMA is proud to continue our association with the Toyota Cheetahs and Toyota Free State Cheetahs. We have developed a strong working relationship with the management and the team and it is testimony to this that we have agreed to renew the deal,” said PUMA South Africa’s Marketing Director Brett Bellinger. 

“Furthermore this underlines PUMA’s commitment to rugby in South Africa where PUMA continues to supply and support the Toyota Cheetahs, the Vodacom Bulls and the Southern Kings as well as a strong contingent of South Africa players both locally and abroad.” 

Kobus le Roux, Marketing and Sales Executive for the Toyota Cheetahs added: “The Toyota Cheetahs are now recognized as a national and international Rugby brand and PUMA has played a significant role over the last few years to help us establish our brand. It is with excitement and pride that we extend our contract with PUMA. We are looking forward to wearing the new kit they have made for us.”

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Announces Levy Restaurants Partnership

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) has formed a new partnership with Levy Restaurants to operate concessions and develop new fan food and beverage experiences for all major events at IMS beginning this year at the famed oval.

The Hulman & Company board selected Levy after a months-long competitive process.

“Visiting the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for one of our iconic events is more than just a race, it is an experience unique in all of sports,” said Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles. “Our new partnership with Levy will bring an enhanced level of innovation and a focus on customer service to our food and beverage offerings. Levy will manage over 100 concessions locations and over the next few years will introduce broader menus, themed areas, outside vendors, better point of sale technology, and improved signage. These changes will give our fans the best concessions options in all of racing add will improve the overall fan experience at IMS.”

Levy Restaurants will oversee all concession stands and manage premium beverage operations at IMS. Levy will continue to expand local relationships with groups like Second Helpings, a local food rescue organization, to ensure that the community also benefits from the new partnership.

Regionally, the company operates dining and hospitality at Banker’s Life Fieldhouse, Purdue University, Wrigley Field and Churchill Downs, but the company’s portfolio includes more than 100 premiere arenas, stadiums and raceways across the country, such as the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. and Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina.

“We see a special opportunity to be ambassadors of the IMS brand and to translate it into wonderful, new food experiences at this iconic venue,” said Andy Lansing, President and CEO of Levy Restaurants. “Welcoming the world to this great destination, we will preserve the traditions of the track and integrate a new celebration of local Indiana flavors and concepts, bringing fans what they love.

{jcomments on}

Sydney FC Reveal New Back of Shirt Sponsor

A-League club Sydney FC have inked a three year premium partnership with StarTrack which will see Australia’s leading freight and logistics provider become the Sky Blues back of shirt sponsor.

StarTrack has been one of Sydney FC’s major partners for the last year, having joined the Sky Blues at the beginning of the Hyundai A-League 2013/14 season.

“Our partnership with StarTrack is a perfect match with Sydney FC,” said Chief Executive Officer Tony Pignata.

“They are an ambitious business, who are viewed as the premium brand in Australia in their industry, much like Sydney FC.”

The signing of StarTrack as a premium partner follows the renewal of Sydney FC’s principal partnership, with front of shirt sponsor Webjet, for a further two years last month.

“We are delighted to be partnering a bold and ambitious club like Sydney FC,” said StarTrack CEO, Richard Umbers.

“The club is recognised as Australia’s premier football club and we share common values.  We are looking forward to a very beneficial partnership.”

Sydney FC gives thanks to Destination NSW for their support since joining the Sky Blues as a Premium Partner in 2012.

“Our partnership with Destination NSW has been a success over the last two years and we have had a very good relationship with them,” said Pignata.

The Sydney FC-StarTrack partnership begins on July 1 and will run until the end of the 2016/17 season.

Realtree & Bad Boy to Sponsor NASCAR’s Austin Dillon

Realtree and Bad Boy Buggies will support Austin Dillon’s rookie campaign in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series by announcing primary partnership of the No. 3 Chevrolet SS for the March 16 race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

“The March race weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway comes at the perfect time to get race fans fired up about Spring turkey season,” said Realtree designer and president Bill Jordan. “Bristol Motor Speedway offers up some of the most exciting racing action of the season and this year, we are especially excited to partner with Bad Boy Buggies on the No. 3 Chevrolet, driven by our hunting buddy Austin Dillon for his grandfather and my friend, Richard Childress.”

The race will mark the first time that Bad Boy Buggies enjoys primary placement on a Sprint Cup Series car driven by Dillon.

“We are excited to join our longtime partner, Realtree, and RCR to support Austin Dillon in his inaugural Sprint Cup Series season,” said Eric Bondy, vice president, consumer for E-Z-Go. “It’s an honor to be a part of this effort, and to see the Bad Boy Buggies logo on the iconic No. 3 Chevrolet.”

Dillon earned the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship in 2011, the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship in 2013 and is vying for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship in 2014.

“I feel honored to have the support of so many people during my rookie season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series,” said Dillon. “Both Realtree and Bad Boy Buggies are brands that I have been associated with for a long time. I feel extra motivation to do well at Bristol Motor Speedway for Bill Jordan and everyone at Realtree, and for the entire Bad Boy Buggies family.”

Realtree and Bad Boy Buggies will both serve as major associate sponsors throughout the 2014 season, joining Dow, Cheerios, American Ethanol and the University of Northwestern Ohio as RCR supporters associated with the No. 3 Sprint Cup Series entry this season.

Aspen Dental to Sponsor NASCAR Driver Danica Patrick

NASCAR driver Danica Patrick will take to the track with a new primary sponsor as Aspen Dental will appear on the blue-and-white No. 10 Chevrolet SS at the Kobalt 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend. 

Patrick first teamed up with Aspen Dental, one of the largest and fastest-growing networks of dental care providers in the U.S. with more than 430 locations in communities across 27 states, last fall. 

“I’m excited to have a new look with Aspen Dental on the car this weekend, but most of all I’m thrilled to have a great new partner,” said Patrick. “A lot of hard-working people, including NASCAR fans, are often living with dental pain, and Aspen Dental is doing something about it. I’ve gotten to know the team at Aspen Dental really well in the offseason and continue to be impressed with their commitment to what is a very important mission.”

In addition to the Kobalt 400, Aspen Dental will serve as primary sponsor of the No. 10 team of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) on Aug. 31 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. When not serving as primary sponsor, Aspen Dental will be an associate sponsor with placement on the B-post and lower-rear quarter panel of the No. 10 Chevrolet, with additional placement on the upper chest of Patrick’s uniform.

GoDaddy will continue to serve as the primary sponsor for Patrick and the No. 10 team at all other Sprint Cup races.

Warrington Wolves Ink Betting Deal with Betbright

English Rugby League team Warrington Wolves have announced a new betting partnership with Betbright for the forthcoming season.

Mark Singleton, prostate head of business development for Betbright, clinic said: “We are delighted to have been able to broker a deal with Warrington Wolves, capsule one of the most successful clubs in the Super League. We at BetBright see this as a long-term partnership and look forward to a strong future between our company and your great club.”

Warrington Wolves Sales Manager Alex Wilson added: “We are pleased to welcome Betbright on board as our new online betting partner for 2014. Betbright will offer our fans value for money with an efficient online service bespoke to the Wolves brand. We look forward to developing a strong partnership with them throughout the season.”