Toyota Extends Deal as AFL’s Title Sponsor

Toyota have extended their partnership with the Australian Football League (AFL) remaining the league’s title sponsor until 2016.

The Japanese tyre manufacturer has been AFL’s main premier partner since 2004 replacing Carlton and United Breweries. 

AFL chief executive, vialis 40mg Andrew Demetriou, order said: “More than a decade after first joining the AFL as our premier partner, Toyota continues to provide outstanding support to all levels of Australian football.  We are delighted a company of Toyota’s standing has agreed to renew what has already been an extremely significant partnership for a further two years.

“It has undoubtedly been a tough time for Toyota, and indeed the car manufacturing industry more broadly, and we appreciate their support. That support spans the grassroots right through to the elite level and has been a constant for 11 years which is a clear illustration of the success of the partnership and the commitment they have to Australia’s game.”

David Beckham Unveiled as Jaguar Brand Ambassador in China

David Beckham has been revealed as the new Jaguar brand ambassador for the Chinese market.

The appointment has been made to help support Jaguar’s forthcoming product launches in the Chinese market. 

The former England and Manchester United ace will be staring in a series of TV commercials and print adverts exclusively in China. The brand’s latest production model, the F-Type Coupe, will be the first model to get Beckham’s official backing, while plans to promote the XJ saloon have also been made.

“I’ve always been an admirer of Jaguar – from the styling and design to the feel and roar of the engine, every element feels uniquely British,” said Beckham. “It’s an honour to support a brand with such an amazing heritage.”

 

Crown Resorts Expands Melbourne Storm Partnership

Entertaiment group Crown Resorts have expanded their partnership with Melbourne Storm for the 2014 season that will include the brand appearing on the NRL teams shirt.

The agreement sees the two Melbourne brands enter into the fourth year of their mutually beneficial relationship.

The relationship provides Melbourne’s only NRL club with a superior off-field home for its extensive national fan and membership base.

Crown Resorts’ flagship property Crown Melbourne is home to three hotels: Crown Towers, Crown Metropol and Crown Promenade and two luxurious day spas, Isika Day Spa and Crown Spa.

There are approximately 1,600 guest rooms across the three hotels and the complex hosts a wide variety of retail, entertainment and food and beverage offerings. There are more than 40 retail outlets and around 70 restaurants, cafes and bars which provide a large and diverse entertainment offering to cater for a significant number of visitors.

Crown Melbourne also has a 900 seat showroom as well as the 1,500 seat Palladium Ballroom which provides a unique and flexible facility to host various events.

Commenting on the partnership, Melbourne Storm Chairman, Bart Campbell, said, “Melbourne Storm is delighted to see the club’s partnership with Crown Resorts enter into its fourth year; it is a strong relationship and they continue to provide great support and play an important role in our club.”

Crown Ltd Chairman James Packer said “Crown Resorts are extremely proud to continue our relationship and support of Melbourne Storm who, like Crown Melbourne, are an iconic Melbourne brand. The Storm is one of the league’s champion teams and we are very happy to be continuing our partnership with them.”

Melbourne Storm is one of Australia’s leading sports clubs, boasting a supporter base of 1.3 million fans, the most amongst any NRL and AFL clubs.

Williams F1 Confirms Martini as Title Sponsor at Unveiling of New Car

Williams F1 have officially revealed their Martini title sponsorship deal with the unveiling of their new car for the 2014 season.

The sponsorship deal, which has been rumoured for some time and was leaked on social media pages, was unveiled at a press conference showcasing the new car. The team will now be known as Williams Martini Racing.

The new distinctive look is new for Williams but Martini’s colours have become an familiar image for motorsport fans over the years. The company first became involved in sportscar racing with Porsche in the late 1960s before switching to F1 in the early 1970s.

By the mid-1970s, Martini had forged alliances with first the Brabham team and later Lotus, and continued to heavily sponsor sportscars and rallying into the 1980s.

“We are thrilled to welcome Martini to the Williams family and officially launch Williams Martini Racing,” said Sir Frank Williams.

“Williams and Martini share a rich history in the world of motorsport, and the values of our two brands and our shared passion for racing make this partnership a natural fit. It will be great to see the distinctive stripes of Martini Racing return to Formula 1 once again in unison with Williams.”

The decision to partner with Williams was a natural one for us as it provides an unparalleled opportunity for the Martini brand to connect with consumers through one of their lifestyle passions, Formula One racing,” said Andy Gibson, Chief Marketing Officer of Bacardi and President of Bacardi Global Brands, who oversees marketing for Martini.

“Williams Martini Racing provides a powerful, integrated marketing platform and delivers dynamic opportunities that will strengthen the Martini brand.”

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Qatar National Bank Sponsors Asian Football Confederation

Qatar National Bank (QNB Group) have signed a three-year sponsorship agreement with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

The agreement between the two organisations was completed at the start of the 2014 season and will see QNB Group join the select band of companies sponsoring events such as the AFC Asian Cup, pharmacy the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup. 

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Qatar National Bank to the Asian football family, apoplectic ” said AFC General Secretary, Dato’ Alex Soosay. 

“QNB Group join a long list of blue chip companies backing the AFC and our key events and, as our existing commercial partners will confirm, the association with Asian football continues to be a positive one. 

“We are sure the relationship between the AFC and QNB Group will be mutually beneficial and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.” QNB Group was established in 1964 as the country’s first Qatari-owned commercial bank and has an ownership structure split between the Qatar Investment Authority and the private sector. 

QNB Group has steadily grown to be the largest bank in the Middle East and North Africa region and is the leading institution in the country, with a market share exceeding 45 percent of banking sector assets.

Commenting on the importance of the sponsorship agreement to QNB Ali Ahmed Al Kuwari, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer said: “With our growing International network presence, Asia continues to be both a very attractive and active market for us. Combined with our strong commitment to the sport of Football, the opportunity to become a strategic commercial partner with the AFC is both fitting and aligns well with our brand objectives.

Alpine Skier Bode Miller Becomes Spokesperson for ReXist360

Four time world champion alpine skier Bode Miller has been revealed as the new ambassador for the makers of America’s top tier patented resistance training system, capsule ReXist360.

Miller, bronchi a longtime ReXist360 user and loyalist will represent the brand and continue training with the resistance system after his recently completed fifth Winter Olympic Games. Miller, prostate alongside his wife, professional beach volleyball player Morgan Beck Miller, will appear in national media campaigns emphasizing the importance of low-impact resistance training for a successful athletic career.

“As a ski racer, I see a lot of younger athletes with bulky muscles from weight lifting, potentially slowing their speed,” said Miller. “When it comes to speed you need lean, strong muscles. ReXist360 resistance system builds functional muscle and strength and also addresses the flexibility of muscles protecting the fascia and preventing injuries like muscle and ligament tears. ReXist360 is a unique tool for every athlete and every sport.”

Miller remains the most decorated medalist in US alpine skiing history, including six Olympic medals, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest World Cup racers of all time, with 33 victories. He is one of only five men in history to win World Cup events in all five disciplines. California native Morgan Beck Miller has enjoyed a successful professional volleyball career, currently competing on the AVP tour, and actively uses the ReXist360 training bands as part of her daily workout regimen.

“I find that resistance training is far more effective for me as an athlete than weight training,” said Morgan. “These bands give me comfortable, challenging resistance while I work on the intense plyometric exercises that get me in great shape for the volleyball season. Bode and I don’t travel without them anymore.”

Rotherham United Ink New Deal with Shirt Sponsors Parkgate

English League One team Rotherham United have agreed a further two-year extension to their partnership with shirt sponsors Parkgate Shopping. 

The deal will see the Parkgate Shopping name stay on the Millers home shirt for at least the next two years with the shopping park continuing as the club’s home shirt sponsor.

At the end of the latest extension Parkgate will have been the club’s main sponsor for nine years, and Millers Commercial Director Steve Coakley is hopeful of many more years to follow.
“We have had a long association with Parkgate Shopping and it gives me great pleasure to see that partnership continue to at least the summer of 2016,” he said.

“It has been an absolute pleasure working with both Denis Copeland and Billy Smith over the years, two men who equally passionate about Rotherham United and our local community.
“We have agreed a two-year extension but I am sure that we will be working together for many years to come.”

Parkgate Regional Manager Denis Copeland added: “We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with the football club as it is poised for yet another push for promotion.

“This really is a great time to be associated with everyone at New York Stadium, and we are proud to be on board for another two years during what is fast becoming a golden era for the club and the town as a whole.

“Our first two years saw the club in a precarious situation, and we are pleased that our support contributed to its reinvigoration, which under Tony Stewart’s chairmanship has seen it grow from strength to strength.
“We are particularly proud of the work we have done with the club’s Community Sports Trust to promote training and job opportunities in the town.”

Snowboarder Scotty Lago to Endorse Mountain Dew

Mountain Dew have announced Scotty Lago to the DEW team, joining fellow Frends Crew member Danny Davis to form an elite roster of snowboard athletes.

Lago earned a bronze medal in the men’s halfpipe snowboard competition at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

“Scotty is one of the top snowboarders today, and we’re very excited to welcome him to the DEW team,” said Greg Lyons, Vice President of Marketing, Mountain Dew. “Scotty’s style on the snow pushes conventional boundaries, which is something that DEW has always been passionate about supporting, so we know he’ll bring a great, new dynamic to the roster.”

“I’m so hyped to be a part of the Mountain Dew team,” comments Lago. “I’ve always wanted to ride for Mountain Dew…to join the likes of my buddy Danny Davis, Paul Rodriguez and Dale Earnhardt Jr. is amazing ­– let the games begin!”

Along with a bronze medal in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, Scotty has also found huge success in other elite competitions including the World Cup in 2006, where he won gold in the halfpipe and the U.S. Open of Snowboarding two years later taking the top spot on the podium for quarterpipe.

“Scotty is my best friend and one of the best snowboarders I know,” stated fellow Mountain Dew rider Danny Davis.  “I’m really excited that he’s joining Mountain Dew. It’s great to have a friend on the team.”

Eurosport Announces Ronnie O’Sullivan as New Global Ambassador

Eurosport have announced today that five-time and reigning World Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan as their new global ambassador.

The role will see Eurosport and O’Sullivan team up to create a series of exclusive snooker programmes called “The Ronnie O’Sullivan Show” looking at all aspects of the game with the five-time World Champion.

The programmes, store which will be broadcast in 54 countries across Europe, symptoms will include tournament previews and reviews, snooker techniques and Masterclasses as well as interviews with snooker players and other sporting stars and take a lighter view of the sport.

Ronnie O’Sullivan said, “I am really excited by this new development in my career and the opportunity to work with Eurosport who are working hard to generate international interest in snooker.

“This project allows me to keep playing, but also to do something a bit different. Eurosport is helping to grow the game in Europe, so I can demonstrate the skills of the game and share my passion for the sport with a new audience, which is something that really motivates me. I also have the chance to share what it’s like to be a professional snooker player and look at some of the characters on the Tour.

“This series of programmes is something I have wanted to do for some time, Eurosport is the best place to develop the ideas and we are all really keen to get started.”

Arnaud Simon, Eurosport Group’s TV Content Director said: “We want to work with the best experts in every sport. Ronnie is snooker for millions of fans across Europe, he is the player they see as the superstar of the game and we have worked hard to create this opportunity with him to produce an exclusive series of programmes for our passionate and increasingly knowledgeable snooker audience.”

Eurosport show 19 snooker tournaments every season, including the World Championships and all the ranking events, with over 800 hours of live action and over 2,000 hours in total.

Hudson Wight to Title Sponsor Sailor Lizzy Foreman

Hudson Wight, has announced its title sponsorship of 23 year-old solo offshore sailor Lizzy Foreman and her 2015 Mini Transat campaign, with immediate effect.

“I’m very excited to be able to launch my own, independent, Mini Transat campaign, with the loan of a Pogo 2 (no. 633). Having confirmed Hudson Wight as a title, naming sponsor, along with a number of product partners, I can now give my first ever season of solo offshore racing my full attention – so I’m extremely grateful for everyone’s help and support,” commented Lizzy.

She continued: “Hudson Wight is a unique and very honest brand, producing high performance kit using their own fabric, OceanVent. This bright company is producing exciting and groundbreaking developments within the clothing scene, perfectly suited to the needs of offshore racing.”

Lizzy, from Worcester Park in Surrey, is a qualified Speech & Language Therapist who has been sailing since the age of three, taking to racing in her teens and progressing through the ranks of various dinghy classes. At the age of 18 she started learning the ropes on board ocean-going yachts and decided her eventual objective is to compete in the solo round-the-world Vendée Globe yacht race. Lizzy’s selection for the British Keelboat Academy (BKA) in 2010 marked the start of that journey.

Hudson Wight Managing Director, Jamie Scrimgeour, commented: “Lizzy’s energy, spirit and dedication to the task in hand is infectious. Her indomitable spirit, combined with her proven sailing prowess, is the ideal fit for Hudson Wight. We may be the used kids on the block but we’re going places, together.”