Rising Golf Star Mackenzie Hughes Retains theScore Sponsorship

theScore has extended its sponsorship of Canadian golf star Mackenzie Hughes, as the 23-year-old prepares to take the next big step in his professional career. 

Hughes, from Dundas, Ontario, makes his debut on the Web.com Tour tomorrow at the Pacific Rubiales Colombia Championship Presented by Claro in Bogota, Colombia. Hughes secured fully exempt status on the Web.com Tour after finishing first on 2013 PGA TOUR Canada Order of Merit, which included a victory at the Cape Breton Celtic Classic Presented by PC Financial and four top-10 finishes.

theScore sponsored Hughes throughout the 2013 PGA TOUR Canada season and will continue its support in 2014 as he graduates to the Web.com Tour. Hughes looks to finish inside the top-25 on season ending money list and earn full status on the PGA TOUR next season, alongside the biggest names in the world golf.

As part of the partnership, theScore will be giving golf fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse of life as a professional golfer through Hughes’ regular “Confessions of a Tour Pro” column, which can be seen in the PGA sections of theScore appand theScore.com.

“Mac is a great guy and a talented professional who has shown the potential to compete at the very highest level,” said John Levy, Chairman and CEO of theScore, Inc. “We’re so excited for him this year and pleased to be playing a part in helping him achieve his goal of competing with the very best on the world stage.”

“It’s great to have theScore backing me again this season,” said Hughes, a former member of Golf Canada’s National Team and Kent State University alumnus. “They’re a well-known Canadian brand and sports fans all over the world love their mobile apps.

“Most fans only get a glimpse of the on-course aspects and performance side of being a professional golfer. Through my column on thescore app and thescore.com, golf fans will also be able to gain access into the off-course ride most pros experience while travelling and competing. I look forward to connecting with sports fans and sharing my story on the Web.com Tour.”

Fulham Partner with Gaming Technology Brand Power8

Premier League strugglers Fulham FC have announced leading gaming technology provider Power8 as an official club partner.

The relationship includes significant presence of the Power8 branding on LED perimeter advertising, view ultimately reaching TV and on-line audiences in 212 worldwide markets. 

Power8 is hoping the new partnership with Fulham FC will play an important part in the company’s global brand marketing and strategic expansion plans. 

Fulham FC CEO, Alistair Mackintosh said: “We are delighted to welcome Power8 on board and look forward to helping the brand grow its awareness and successfully reach its objectives.”

Fulham are currently in last place in the table, four points away from safety.

AC Milan Ink Fujitsu Partnership

Japanese technology company Fujitsu have announced a partnership with AC Milan.

Milan’s representative Franco Baresi commented: “Milan is very well known in Japan and we have a bond with Japan after some historic moments in the country. This collaboration with Fujitsu will strengthen our positive image in Japan as well as benefiting Fujitsu’s market presence.”

Milan’s head of sales, Mauro Tavola, also said: “Milan is an international brand and is ambitious to grow. The Japanese market is very important. After the arrival of Honda, it’s not simply by chance that a Japanese company is about to begin a partnership with us at the club. There is great compatibility between Milan and Fujitsu, in terms of our colours and success. We’ve agreed, thanks also to our partnership with Infront, a collaboration that will last 3 years. We have lots of initiatives in mind in addition to putting the two brands together. Milan is a world-wide brand and the fame and popularity of our players across the globe helps with our entrance into new markets and finding new sources of revenue through sponsorship.”

Managing Director of Tata Fujitsu Massimo Signor, added: “In recent years Fujitsu, as a world-wide brand, has paid great attention to the Italian market. It became easy to choose Milan as our partner because of its history and for its visibility on an international scale. In terms of air conditioners, the Japanse brands are the top of the range.

“We have high expectations from this agreement. The length is for three years which will allow us to concentrate on our target market and let’s hope that this early agreement will lead to a lengthy and lasting partnership. Through football we want to reach our customers. In terms of success and visibility, Milan is the number one brand in Italy and that’s why we have chosen them for this new adventure.”

Gremio to Suit Up with Spirito Santo

Brasileiro club Gremio have announced a parnership with fashion house Spirito Santo for the 2014 season.

The local company will become the club’s formalwear partner and will outfit the team for its trips to compete in this year’s Copa Libertadores continental competition. 

Andreas Renner Mentz, allergy director of Spirito Santo, said: “Rio Grande do Sul (state) resembles Europe and Gremio has the face of European team. Furthermore, being well dressed off the field increases the self-esteem of the players.”

Gremio finished as runner-up in the 2013 Brasileiro Serie A table to Cruzeiro, sealing its qualification for the Copa Libertadores second stage.

Spec-Savers Named Official Optical Supplier of Cricket South Africa

Cricket South Africa (CSA) have announced optometrists, health Spec-Savers have become their Official Optical Supplier.

The partnership commences with immediate effect and will see Spec-Savers initially have branding and exposure rights to various broadcast elements of the Decision Review System (DRS) including Hotspot, health  Snicko and Hawk-Eye.

The partnership extends to domestic cricket as well where Spec-Savers will play its part in all third umpire review decisions.

“It’s a sign of the confidence that corporates have in wanting to partner with CSA and I warmly welcome Spec-Savers to the CSA family, treat ” said CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat. “We believe that there are mutually beneficial opportunities for both of us and we will look to grow this relationship.”

“I’m also excited by the creative ideas and plans that Spec-Savers have for cricket which we hope to announce in due course,” added Lorgat.

Spec-Savers CEO, Bryan Dowley, expressed his delight at the newly formed partnership. “Not only is this recognition as the Official Optometry Partner for CSA  a wonderful accolade for our brand, Spec-Savers, but it also opens up new opportunities for CSA as we intend spreading this relationship to grass roots cricket with CSA,” explained Dowley.

“We have been looking for a home for our sponsorship since curtailing our support for Ironman SA and CSA has now provided us with the correct platform to allow our support to improve the game with better camera technology and reach the people who really count,” Dowley concluded.

Genworth to Sponsor Williams F1

Williams F1 have announced a new multi-year partnership agreement with global lifestyle protection insurer, Genworth.

The new partnership will see the Genworth logo appear on the rear wing endplate of the Williams Mercedes FW36, the overalls worn by each driver, and the kit worn by team personnel from the 2014 season onwards. 

Sir Frank Williams, Founder and Team Principal of Williams, commented on the new deal: “I’m delighted to welcome a brand of Genworth’s pedigree to the team for the 2014 season and beyond. We share a number of similar values such as ensuring excellence and integrity in everything we do and a truly global footprint. We’re looking forward to working in close collaboration to help them maximise the benefits that come from a close association with Williams and Formula One.”

“We are excited to become a partner to Williams,” said Peter Barrett, Global Managing Director of Genworth’s lifestyle protection division. “The Williams business, and the strong ideals and foundations that it is built on, are very closely aligned to Genworth’s core values. Our partnership with Williams provides Genworth with a powerful worldwide platform which mirrors our global footprint, connects with new global audiences and will ensure client engagement opportunities through the extensive coverage and profile that Formula One receives globally.”

Genworth is a Fortune 500 company with a heritage dating back to 1871.

Asteron Life Secures Naming Rights to Super Rugby’s Australian Conference

Asteron Life, treat one of Australia’s leading life insurance providers and part of the Suncorp Group, prostate has been named Official Naming Rights Partner for the Australian conference of the Super Rugby season.

The 2014 Asteron Life Super Rugby season – which starts on 22-23 February for Australian teams – with the coaches, captains and star players of the Australian Super Rugby clubs, and announced Asteron Life as the Official Naming Rights Partner.

Australian Rugby CEO Bill Pulver welcomed Asteron Life’s three-year partnership, an agreement which runs until the end of the 2016 season.  

“In my opinion, Super Rugby is the strongest competition in the world and provides the foundations for our national teams to succeed. We’re delighted to have Asteron Life as a partner to help us remain world-class, particularly as we head towards Rugby World Cup 2015,” Mr Pulver said.

Asteron Life’s Jordan Hawke, said Asteron Life’s values and strategic goals were naturally aligned with Rugby. 

“In our business at Asteron Life, we are committed to ‘Celebrating Life’. The opportunity for us to extend this celebration through the Asteron Life Super Rugby Tournament resonated with us.

“We are extremely proud to partner with the ARU to bring a season of opportunities to celebrate life to rugby fans.” Mr Hawke added.

The competition will pit the best players from the top three-ranked nations – Australia, New Zealand and South Africa – on the IRB World rankings against one another for seven months, climaxing in the Super Rugby Final on Saturday, 2 August.

Mr Pulver is adamant this year’s Asteron Life Super Rugby competition will grip fans like never before and fans are set for an Australian success story in 2014.

“We have new coaches in Queensland, ACT and Melbourne; there will be an Anzac Day match between an Australian and New Zealand side for the first time this year; and we’re confident an Australian side will regain the Super Rugby title for the first time since the Queensland Reds in 2011.

“Following impressive performances at a national level during the recent Spring Tour, members of the Qantas Wallabies squad will be back and ready for Super Rugby action, so it will be wonderful opportunity for fans to see Australia’s best elite Rugby talent.”

The 2014 Asteron Life Super Rugby season kicks off on Sunday, 16 February.

Wiley X Reveals Sponsorship Line-Up for 2014 NASCAR Season

Wiley X, Inc. has announced its team of sponsored NASCAR drivers for 2014.

Among Wiley X’s stable of sponsored drivers are Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano and Greg Biffle, racers with legions of fans around the world and long lists of accomplishments to their credit.  These popular drivers — along with the rest of the Wiley X Pro Racing Team — have been selected not only for their racing skills, but for their ability to serve as ambassadors for the Wiley X sunglass brand.

For 2014, Wiley X will also be sponsoring top drivers Aric Almirola, Ron Hornaday, Jr., Michael McDowell, Joe Nemechek, John Hunter Nemechek, David Ragan, Joey Coulter and Chad Hackenbracht.  Fifteen-year-old racing protege Gray Gaulding — who signed with Wiley X last year — is considered an important part of the team.

In addition to sponsoring these individual drivers, Wiley X is also the Official Sunglass of NASCAR powerhouse Roush Fenway Racing, for whom both Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards drive.

“Our company has a long history sponsoring NASCAR drivers, but we are particularly excited about this group and the racing season ahead,” said Wiley X Co-Owner Myles Freeman, Jr.  “We have very high expectations and look forward to supporting — and rooting for — our drivers as they compete on the NASCAR circuit and chase the Sprint Cup during 2014.  And while there are no guarantees in the competitive world of professional auto racing, there is one thing we know for certain.  Each of these athletes will represent themselves and the Wiley X brand very well.”

Arsenal Announce Cooper Tire as Official Partner

Arsenal FC have announced today a long-term agreement that will Cooper Tire Europe become an Official Partner of the Premier League team.

The partnership which will begin ahead of the 2014/2015 season was announced at the Arsenal Training Centre, with members of the first team, Mikel Arteta, Santi Cazorla, Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker.

The exclusive sponsorship designates the 100 year old Cooper brand as the first “Official Tyre of Arsenal Football Club” for Europe, Russia, Middle East, South Africa and selected North African countries. It will involve the development of various advertising campaigns, marketing programmes and promotions designed to increase awareness and visibility of the Cooper brand. 

The Cooper brand will be present across Emirates Stadium, with the sponsorship including pitch-side and matchday programme advertising. Cooper will also be hosting customers from Europe, Middle East and Africa at Arsenal home games. Dealers will be supported with a range of in-store point of sale materials and Cooper will be developing content and competitions to further promote the partnership.

Vinai Venkatesham, Sales and Marketing Director of Arsenal Football Club, said: “We’re thrilled to have Cooper Tire Europe on board and they join our expanding family of Commercial Partners. Cooper is clearly entering an exciting new era and going from strength to strength as a brand, so now is the ideal time to welcome them to the Club as an Official Partner.”

The agreement lookes to push Cooper’s strategy which includes high-profile advertising campaigns across Europe and the appointment of key brand ambassadors, including ex-F1 star and BBC pundit, David Coulthard.

Marketing Communications Manager for Cooper Tire Europe, Sarah McRoberts, commented: “We’re extremely happy to have secured this agreement with Arsenal Football Club, which is a truly world-class club. The sponsorship made perfect sense to us at Cooper as we share a real affinity with the club and its fans; together, we are all driven by success and we’re very much looking forward to what I’m sure will be a very successful partnership.”

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Arena to Supply Equipment for England Team at Glasgow 2014 Games

Commonwealth Games England have announced today that global aquatic sports brand Arena has been appointed Official Supplier of Aquatics Wear ahead of this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. 

Arena will provide racing suits, training suits, goggles and caps to the aquatics team who will contest 44 swimming events and 10 diving events during the Games. Additionally they will also provide a range of merchandise that Team England fans can buy later this year. 

Commonwealth Games England Chief Executive Adam Paker said: “We are delighted to be welcoming arena to our family of Team England sponsors and they will provide our aquatics team with the best possible kit in which to perform and train. 

“What’s even more exciting about this partnership is that fans of Team England can buy kit too bringing them closer to the team than ever before.” 

“This is an historic appointment for arena, being the first time we’ll be equipping Team England at a Commonwealth Games,” said Luca Belogi, arena’s General Manager for International Business. 

“It’s also significant for us since the UK is one of our primary markets, and representing one of the ‘home’ nations at the largest multi-sport event ever to be held in Scotland will give us great exposure and increase brand awareness in the region. 

“Partnering Team England at the Commonwealth Games will give us a fantastic springboard as we continue to establish arena as one of the leaders in the UK swim market.” 

While the partnership with Team England is a first, arena has been sponsoring Commonwealth Champion – freestyle and butterfly sprinter  – Francesca Halsall for several years as a member of the company’s Elite Team of international champions. 

Fran won the 50m butterfly event in Delhi 2010 along with three silver and one bronze medal, and is aiming to be part of the team in Glasgow, again over a number of events.