Panasonic Corporation have renewed their partnership with the International Olympic Committee as Official Worldwide Olympic Partner for a further eight years through to the 2024 Olympic Games.

Under the terms of the agreement, medicine Panasonic will provide its cutting-edge technologies and products to support the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, ailment the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, nurse and the summer and winter Olympic Games to be held in 2022 and 2024. Panasonic is the first Official Worldwide Partner to have signed the partnership agreement for the period from 2021 to 2024.

As the sponsor in the Audio-Visual Equipment category, Panasonic provides the Olympic Games with a wide variety of products, including TVs, audio-visual equipment for broadcast and professional use, AV storage media, car navigation and related on-board entertainment systems equipment, and video surveillance equipment.

In this product category, Panasonic has acquired global marketing rights and first negotiation rights for the supply of equipment to the IOC and the Olympic Organizing Committee. Panasonic will continue to support the operation of the Olympic Games through its products in this category, services and technical support.

In addition, in preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Panasonic has established the Tokyo Olympic Enterprise Division within the company for the development of new technologies and services to support the operation of the Olympic Games, and to maximize the business opportunities related to the Olympic Games.

Through these activities, the company is aiming to not only expand sales in Japan, but to strengthen its systems solutions business and expand its business globally.

“Panasonic has contributed to the Olympic Movement for over 25 years. Today, we are proud to announce our commitment to support the Olympic Movement for further eight years through to 2024,” said Panasonic President Kazuhiro Tsuga, at the signing ceremony. “Through our cutting-edge technologies and products, our staff and operations services, we will continue to support the Olympic Games, the greatest sporting event in the world.”

IOC President Thomas Bach added: “We are thrilled to be able to announce that we will continue to work with our long term Partner Panasonic. Panasonic was one of the founding members of our global sponsorship programme, and is the first Partner to commit to continue their global sponsorship through to 2024. This is a clear demonstration of Panasonic’s continuing belief in the Olympic values and the company’s global commitment to the Olympic Movement.”

{jcomments on}

Bundesliga team Werder Bremen have renewed their partnership with Germany’s leading poultry brand, WIESENHOF for a further two years until 2016.

The extension was negotiated by Werder Bremen’s marketing partner Infront Sports & Media, the company that has handled the team’s Main Sponsor rights package since 2008. Werder Managing Director Klaus Filbry and WIESENHOF Chairman of the Board Peter Wesjohann are looking forward to continuing the partnership.

Klaus Filbry said: “The current cooperation has been beneficial for both sides. Werder has an economically strong and reliable partner at its side and WIESENHOF has been able to demonstrate that being courageous and stepping out onto the public stage through image association within the Bundesliga was the right move.”

Peter Wesjohann praised the partnership: “We enjoy being able to present ourselves on this most diverse platform. Bundesliga football at Werder Bremen is very emotional – it is associated with down-to-earth qualities, strong regional roots and responsibility. There are many similarities between the two partners.”

Wesjohann describes the achievements thus far as follows: “Initially, when the partnership began two years ago, we were looking for a marketing platform that allowed us to address the general public with industry issues, such as how to reconcile increasing requirements in food production with sustainable manufacturing of poultry across Germany, in an objective way. Through our Werder Bremen sponsorship we aim at publicly disseminating our realistic solutions scenarios and increasing the popularity of products such as the WIESENHOF ‘Privathof’ concept, which is certified by the German Animal Protection Association.”

UK based opticians Specsavers have signed a multi-year partnership as an Official Partner of the Super League.

Specsavers will be game-wide sponsors of the sport’s match officials. The company’s distinctive logo will appear prominently on match officials’  kit in the First Utility Super League, Kingstone Press Championships, Tetley’s Challenge Cup and the community game.

RFL Commercial Director James Mercer said: “We are delighted to welcome such a prestigious and successful brand to the sport.

“We enjoyed a very successful relationship with Specsavers throughout Rugby League World Cup 2013 and it is fitting now that they will be moving into Super League and the domestic game.

“We are excited about their creativity that they bring to all their ventures and this approach fits nicely with the innovation which is synonymous with Rugby League.

Specsavers Marketing Director Richard Holmes said: “This builds on our existing sporting pledge to help the experts to see. Following our great sponsorship of the Rugby League World Cup we are delighted to be able to continue our relationship with the sport.

“Technological advancements in recent years have certainly helped match officials but we’re glad to do our bit where we can to help ensure that they get the best possible support to do their job.”

The partnership with Specsavers is the latest in a series of commercial successes for the sport, which has seen ALCATEL ONETOUCH and First Utility join as partner and title sponsor, respectively in the last 10 days.

Former WBA and WBC Light Middleweight Champion, Canelo Alvarez, has signed a multi-year equipment contract with Everlast Worldwide Inc.

Under the agreement, Alvarez (pictured left) will compete using Everlast fight gloves as well as train exclusively with Everlast equipment. Additionally, Everlast recently completed the build-out of Alvarez’s personal gym, located in Southern California, which is outfitted with Everlast training gear. Furthermore, he will play a prominent role in all of Everlast’s direct to consumer and retail marketing initiatives internationally.

“We are very excited to welcome one of the greatest talents in boxing to the Everlast team,” said Neil Morton, CEO of Everlast. “Canelo’s success inside the ring has made him an international star, but it is his drive and character outside of the ring that make him a great fit for our brand. Beyond talent, at 23 years of age, he already displays all of the attributes that the great champions of this sport possess, and because of that, we know Canelo will be a fantastic representative of Everlast for many years to come.”

Alvarez, who boasts a 42-1-1 record, will fight Alfredo Angulo on March 8^th live on Showtime PPV in Las Vegas, NV.

“I’m thrilled to be part of Everlast, a historic company that has been linked to professional boxing for over 100 years,” said Canelo Alvarez. “Like my career, the direction of Everlast is on the rise. They continue to evolve with the sport and by partnering with the brand, I know that I will always compete using the safest and most trusted equipment in boxing. I have no doubt this will be a great relationship for myself, as well as Everlast and will lead to success inside and outside the ring.”

Former English football star Michael Owen has become a brand ambassador for BetVictor in a new three-year deal.

The former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester United striker, who is now a football pundit, will provide columns and endorse the brand over social media platforms. His first column and tweets will go live at BetVictor.com and @BetVictor on Monday evening as he previews the full programme of midweek Premier League fixtures, especially the visit of one of his former Clubs Manchester United to the Emirates in a vital game for both sides.

BetVictor Chairman Victor Chandler: “Michael is a genuine sporting icon, instantly recognisable throughout the world and, as a global brand, we see Michael and BetVictor as the perfect fit and are delighted to welcome him on board. 

“Michael has played for some of the biggest football Clubs in the world, had a glittering international career and we are looking forward to working with him. He will be sharing his forthright views and opinions with BetVictor customers on the big sporting topics of the day but especially football and horseracing which Michael is so passionate about.”

On the announcement, Owen said: “I am delighted to announce my ambassadorial role with BetVictor. As a genuine sports enthusiast it’s very exciting to be involved with such an established and vibrant brand. With my sporting experience and knowledge, as well as my social media reach on Twitter and Sina Weibo, I am really looking forward to helping BetVictor develop and expand their brand into new markets around the world.”

Four-time NCAA wrestling champion Kyle Dake, also known as ‘Kid Dynamite’, has signed a new sponsorship deal to promote FlipsWrestling’s headphones.

Dake joins fellow superstars Burroughs, Jordan Oliver, Jake Herbert, Frank Molinaro, Coleman Scott, Reece Humphrey and Nick Simmons in the “Flips Family.”

“What can I say? Flips are everywhere in the wrestling community, on ESPN, and all over social media, and, candidly, I want to be a part of this great group,” said Dake, presently an assistant coach at his alma mater, Cornell University, and one of the top 74 kg freestyle wrestlers in the world. “The product is unique and sounds awesome, the ‘Train Out Loud’ concept is cool, and the company’s ‘I Am A Wrestler’ mantra matches my own, so the fit is a natural,” continued Dake. “Plus, FlipsWrestling’s ability to customize the headphones makes them a ‘no brainer’ for any wrestler. My custom KD4 wrap is sick – kind of a standard definition of the stuff that FlipsWrestling does!”

“The opportunity came together by happenstance, actually,” said FlipsWrestling’s Don Beshada. “We were involved with the ‘Grapple at the Garden’ in early December and, in talking with Kyle’s agent, Nick Garone, about that event, we learned that Kyle was interested in our product, so we got to talking. I spoke with my partners about the opportunity, and here we are. You don’t pass up an opportunity to sign Kyle Dake.”

“Kyle is one of the most recognizable people in wrestling, here and abroad,” said Garone. “And, FlipsWrestling has certainly burst onto the wrestling scene with a ‘bang’ this year. They really promote the athletes that affiliate with them which will be great for Kyle. We look forward to ‘blowing up’ this partnership.”

Beshada concluded, “We continue to move forward toward our goal of showing other companies that supporting wrestling can result in an appreciable return on investment. We’re fired up that Kyle is on board, and we look forward to helping him grow his brand, as we know he will do for us.”

German sportswear giant adidas has announced the signing of Spanish striker Diego Costa as an official adidas ambassador. 

Over the last two seasons Diego Costa has risen to prominence as one of the hottest properties in world football and is amongst the top goalscorers in La Liga and Europe this term for Atletico Madrid.

Upon signing with adidas, Diego Costa said: “I’m delighted to sign with adidas who are the true leaders in global football. The brand has a fantastic history but they are also at the forefront when it comes to innovation, which is why I was drawn to them so much. I look forward to great success wearing adidas boots and I’m proud to join the group of other great players adidas sponsors.”

Gregory Fernandez, adidas Global Director of Player Management and Scouting said: “With Costa firing on all cylinders he has been targeted by top clubs, national sides and now by the world’s top football brand. adidas has always associated with the world’s best talent and we are very pleased to link up with Diego Costa.”

Costa will wear the adizero f50 range of boots on-pitch, joining the likes of Leo Messi, Gareth Bale and Luis Suarez.