Emirates Becomes Official Partner of 2015 & 2019 Rugby World Cups

Emirates has been announced as a official Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2015 in England and Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan, Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) have announced today.

The deal also features an extension to Emirates’ successful sponsorship and support of the IRB match officials until 2019, including rights to match official shirts for both Rugby World Cups, representing a first for Rugby’s global showcase event.

The announcement extends their partnership originally created in 2006 and ensures that Emirates has enjoyed a significant global platform at every Rugby World Cup since 2007.

RWCL Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “We are excited to be renewing our long-standing and highly-successful partnership with Emirates. Emirates is a strong champion of Rugby worldwide and the reappointment of a globally renowned brand and a world leader in the airline industry further underscores the enormous prestige of Rugby World Cup in the global sporting and business marketplaces.”

“We look forward to collaborating with Emirates to further the promotion of Rugby around the world through the Rugby World Cup partnership and support of our match officials as the sporting community looks forward to what promises to be an exceptional England 2015 tournament and an historic first Rugby World Cup in Japan.”

As Official Airline of Rugby World Cup 2015 and 2019 and IRB match officials’ sponsor Emirates will work closely with Rugby World Cup and the IRB to further the promotion, participation and engagement in Rugby worldwide.

RWCL Managing Director Brett Gosper added: “This deal represents the largest and most wide-ranging sponsorship deal in the history of Rugby World Cup. We are well on track to secure and announce the full Rugby World Cup 2015 commercial programme in record time, which is great for the tournament and great for Rugby at a time when the sport is experiencing unprecedented global profile, participation and commercial appeal.”

Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, said: “Rugby is a core part of Emirates’ sports sponsorship portfolio. We’ve supported Rugby around the world for more than 20 years, and we are glad to have helped connect hundreds of thousands of passionate Rugby fans from around the globe through these events. Rugby is an international sport that reaches an international audience, many of whom are Emirates customers.”

“The 2011 tournament in New Zealand was the most widely-broadcast Rugby World Cup ever, and we anticipate the next two Rugby World Cups will only be more spectacular. For Emirates, it was a natural decision to be the first Worldwide Partner of both the England and Japan tournaments, and as Official Airline we look forward to flying fans to experience the event for themselves.”

The announcement follows the appointment of Heineken, Land Rover, Société Générale and DHL as Rugby World Cup 2015 Worldwide Partners, Gilbert as Official Ball Supplier, Canterbury of New Zealand as Official Sportswear Supplier and Clifford Chance as Official Law Firm.

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Simmons to Sponsor Dempsey Racing for New Season

Simmons Bedding Company has announced today a multi-year partnership between its Beautyrest Black line and Dempsey Racing.

Simmons’ luxury mattress line joins the sports car racing team as an official supplier and sponsor of the No. 27 Dempsey Racing Porsche GT America driven by actor and professional race car driver Patrick Dempsey and his full-season teammate Andrew Davis. 

Patrick Dempsey and Dempsey Racing will join Simmons to officially unveil the new partnership tonight during a private Beautyrest Black dealer event at Las Vegas Market.

“Simmons is excited to be partnering with Dempsey Racing to introduce Beautyrest Black to consumers,” said Rolf Sannes, Simmons’ Vice President Beautyrest® Brand. “We have found a partner that not only shares our passion for but personifies powerful performance and modern luxury, and we look forward to supporting the Dempsey Racing team for years to come. In today’s busy world where sleep has become the ultimate luxury, Beautyrest Black delivers the quality sleep needed for optimal focus and performance – both on the track and when facing the everyday grind.”

The Dempsey team debuted the newly Beautyrest Black-branded GT Daytona (GTD) Porsche at the Rolex 24 inaugural race on January 23, solidifying a partnership that will see Dempsey Racing’s continued promotion of Simmons’ premium mattress line, fittingly billed as the premium paring of technological performance and luxury. The Dempsey Racing drivers and crew will also sleep on Beautyrest Black mattresses during upcoming IMSA TUDOR endurance races, beginning with 12 Hours of Sebring in March.

“We were very fortunate to enter into a multi-year relationship with Porsche at the end of last season and Beautyrest Black is an ideal and perfectly complementary partner to now also welcome to our racing team,” says Patrick Dempsey, owner and founder of Dempsey Racing. “As sports car endurance racing drivers, we know the importance of quality sleep for not only top performance on the track but also for getting anyone through life’s day-to-day routine. We are looking forward to racing, resting and sleeping with Beautyrest Black.”

In addition to the Beautyrest Black branding on the No. 27 Porsche, Patrick Dempsey and Dempsey Racing will also be featured in upcoming nationally televised ad spots for Beautyrest Black.

“Beautyrest Black is a premium mattress that warrants a premium partner. In Patrick and the Dempsey Racing team, we’ve found a partner that perfectly represents the elegance, style and performance of Beautyrest Black. This relationship is an advertising game changer and one we know can elevate our brand to reach a wider range of luxury consumers,” says Jeff Willard, Executive Vice President of Marketing at Simmons..

Comcast & NBCUniversal Sponsor San Francisco 49ers & Levi’s Stadium

Comcast and NBCUniversal have announced a 10-year agreement with the San Francisco 49ers and Levi’s Stadium.

Comcast is leveraging multiple business units – Comcast Cable, pills Comcast Business , regional sports network Comcast SportsNet Bay Area , and local NBC owned station NBC Bay Area – to help power what will be one of the most technologically advanced stadiums in sports.

The San Francisco 49ers will play their first NFL season at Levi’s Stadium in 2014. Through partnerships with technology providers like Comcast, the 68,500-seat, open-air stadium, which will host Super Bowl L in 2016, will showcase Silicon Valley innovation and feature stadium-wide WiFi access, mobile connectivity, IPTV, and HD video boards measuring over 13,000 square feet. The stadium will also feature a ticketless, cashless infrastructure designed to increase convenience for attendees.

As part of the partnership, Comcast will provide fiber-based Ethernet Internet access and video capabilities throughout Levi’s Stadium, sponsorship of free WiFi for fans, and cloud-based voice and unified communications services for employees at the stadium and at the team’s corporate offices. Additionally, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area will build a new, state-of-the-art 1,000 square foot TV studio – CSN Bay Area Studios at Levi’s Stadium – for gameday broadcasts and other 49ers-related programming on CSN Bay Area and NBC Bay Area.

“The mission for Levi’s Stadium has always been to create an unparalleled gameday experience through the use of innovative technology,” said 49ers CEO Jed York. “Comcast is the perfect partner to help us achieve that goal, as the services they provide will allow our fans to customize their individual stadium experience through the use of their own mobile devices.”

“Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Levi’s Stadium will feature new and exciting ways for the team’s fervent and tech-savvy fan base to experience a live event, from ubiquitous WiFi to innovative mobile applications and rich video content,” said Bill Stemper, President, Comcast Business. “This partnership is representative of how Comcast, by deploying our full suite of consumer and business products, can deliver reliable, high-capacity Internet connectivity for fans, media and stadium employees while supporting various multimedia initiatives.”

“We are pleased to extend our ever-evolving partnership with the San Francisco 49ers and honored to be a partner of Levi’s Stadium,” said Ted Griggs, president and general manager of Comcast SportsNet Bay Area.

“Fans have come to rely on Comcast SportsNet as the region’s leading source for comprehensive, in-depth multi-platform 49ers coverage. The new CSN Bay Area Studios at Levi’s Stadium, along with hundreds of hours of 49ers programming throughout the year, demonstrates our ongoing commitment to present the most complete, entertaining and innovative coverage for the many passionate 49ers fans throughout the region.”

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YotaPhone to Sponsor Lotus F1 for 2014 Season

Lotus F1 have secured a new sponsor with YotaPhone set to adorn the car for the 2014 season.

The world’s first dual-screen, arthritis always-on smartphone will be featured on the legendary British racing team’s revolutionary E22 chassis in races across the globe.  Both companies will also cooperate on technology and product development.

“Cooperation with the Lotus F1 Team allows Yota Devices to achieve synergies both to promote our products and to find new solutions for the next generation of devices that rely on the most innovative technology and engineering, generic ” said Yota Devices CEO Vlad Martynov.

“Formula 1 is one of the most competitive world championships combining speed, precision technology and engineering in a constant drive to do the impossible,” added Vlad Martynov. 

Lotus Chairman Gerard Lopez added: “Lotus F1 Team has never stood still and we head into what promises to be an exciting 2014 season with an innovative new car, new partners and a new management structure. With this in mind, we are proud to announce that we have concluded an agreement with YotaPhone and its shareholders who will become important partners and sponsors to the Lotus F1 team.”

PDVSA, Renault, Microsoft Dynamics, Total, and Pirelli are other partners backing the Lotus F1 Team.  More than 1 billion fans in virtually every country and territory of the world annually view Formula 1.

Bridgford Foods to Sponsor 2014 Walmart FLW Tour Season

Leading fishing tournament FLW has announced a sponsorship deal with Bridgford Foods Corporation for the 2014 Walmart FLW Tour season. 

Bridgford Foods will receive exposure from all of FLW’s platforms, including its tournaments and Expos, websites and social media, FLW Bass Fishing magazine and the “FLW” television show on NBC Sports Network. “FLW” is broadcast Sundays in high-definition (HD) to more than 564 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world.

As part of their FLW partnership, Bridgford Foods is sponsoring two veteran anglers on both the FLW Tour and FLW Rayovac series. Randy Blaukat of Joplin, Mo., will be competing on the FLW Tour as well as participating in some events in the FLW Rayovac series. Joe Uribe Jr. of Surprise, Ariz., will be competing on the FLW Rayovac series in the Western Division.

 Founded more than 80 years ago, Bridgford is recognized as the “Premium Brand” of pepperoni, beef jerky, summer sausage and meat snacks.

Portland Trail Blazers Renew Wells Fargo Partnership

The high flying Portland Trail Blazers have extended their partnership with Wells Fargo, which runs through the end of the 2015-16 NBA season.

The agreement makes Wells Fargo the team’s second-largest corporate partner behind home arena namesake Moda Health. 

The deal means the two organisations will continue to jointly market their brands throughout the region and also team up to support local community initiatives, including a new college scholarship program.

Wells Fargo became a Blazers sponsor in 2005. This marks the third renewal for the company.

The agreement gives Wells Fargo prime visibility at the Moda Center, during the team’s statewide radio and television broadcasts and in other Trail Blazers communications and events.

The agreement includes a new $30,000 “Make It Better College Scholarship Program” for Oregon and Southwest Washington high school students. 

The two organizations will also continue the annual Wells Fargo Fan Fest, where fans are given free tickets to watch a preseason scrimmage. The event draws about 6,000 to 8,000 fans each year.

Wells Fargo will continue to sponsor the SMART Play of the Game where Wells Fargo will donate $250 the Start Making a Reader Today at every home game. In the past eight years, combined donations from the Trail Blazers and Wells Fargo to SMART have totaled $120,000.

Vauxhall Named Official Automotive Partner of Liverpool

Vauxhall Motors have announced today that they will become the Official Automotive Partner of Liverpool FC.

The deal will run through to the end of the 2015-16 season and kicks off when Liverpool face Arsenal on 8th February 2014.  

“Vauxhall Motors has enjoyed great success over the past three seasons with our Home Nations football sponsorships, patient ” said Vauxhall Chairman & Managing Director, Duncan Aldred. 

“This exciting new sponsorship will undoubtedly benefit from the experience we have gained in international football and we look forward to the prospect of a partnership with such an iconic club as Liverpool FC.”

Liverpool FC Managing Director Ian Ayre said: “We are delighted to welcome Vauxhall on board as a partner of Liverpool FC. They have highly credible football credentials and a reputation for engaging sponsorship activation.”

Vauxhall is the lead partner of the national teams and football associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

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Mazda Becomes Official Automotive Partner of IMSA

Mazda has been named an official automotive partner of the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) and will have a strong presence throughout the 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.

Mazda is fielding a two-car prototype effort utilizing its latest SKYACTIV-technology in the TUDOR Championship, and will have multiple teams racing Mazda MX-5s in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge.

Mazda will be the presenting title race partner when the TUDOR Championship and Continental Tire Challenge comes to its home track, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, in May, as well as returning for the season finale Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda at Road Atlanta. The manufacturer will have a strong consumer presence to tie its racing activities to its street cars at the majority of the races, with new car displays, racing simulators and the ability to link fans’ passions for the sport to their social media channels.

“Mazda’s roots in North American endurance racing run deep,” said David Pettit, IMSA vice president, marketing. “Both GRAND-AM Road Racing and the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón previously enjoyed long and fruitful relationships with Mazda, and it is gratifying to see the company expand its sports car racing relationship in a number of creative and exciting ways in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.”

Prior to the Rolex 24, Mazda kicked off an innovative educational program that will visit high schools prior to each race of the TUDOR Championship. The Mazda Racing Accelerates Creative Education (R.A.C.E.) program is designed to motivate and engage the next generation of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) superstars.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the new TUDOR Championship and what it means for the future of sports car racing in North America, said John Doonan, Director of Motorsports, Mazda North American Operations. “Racing under the IMSA umbrella is very special for us, as Mazda and IMSA grew together in the 1970s and ’80s, and 2014 brings us officially back to our roots of racing here in North America. Mazda fans love IMSA and IMSA fans love Mazda. With our R.A.C.E. educational outreach program we are working to grow the next generation of sports car fans.”

Hawk Performance to Sponsor Park Place Motorsports for United SportsCar Championship

Park Place Motorsports, which is compaeting in the 2014 IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, have announced a partnership with Hawk Performance Products Group that will see the brand’s braking products join the Porsche team as its latest sponsor and technical partner.

The Park Place Motorsports No. 73 Children’s Tumor Foundation/Racing4Research Porsche GT America of Patrick Lindsey, Kévin Estre, Mike Vess, Jason Hart and American factory Porsche Junior driver Connor De Phillippi will race with full Hawk Performance branding beginning with this weekend’s Rolex 24 At Daytona.

The new partnership will see Hawk Performance work directly and hand-in-hand with Park Place’s technical team on brake pad and rotor development. Hawk will enlist the full knowledge and skill of the team’s technical and driving personnel to develop a premier racing product. Hawk has developed similar winning combinations through racing in other series, including Formula 1, and has now shifted the focus to premier GT and Prototype sports car racing classes.

“For Hawk Performance, we are building upon our brand’s success on the track, from our factory backed Nissan GT-R and Corvette teams in the Pirelli World Challenge Championships to our dominance at club races,” said Todd Romano, Managing Director at Hawk Performance. “Teaming up with Park Place Motorsports allows us to continue development of our products. With the speeds and the abuse that the team’s Porsche experiences in endurance and sprint races, it provides engineers necessary information to take our street and our race products to the next level.”

Lindsey and Estre will co-drive the No. 73 for the full 2014 IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship season. 

“Hawk Performance is one of those companies you dream about working with,” said Lindsey, who is also a Park Place Motorsports team principal. “They have a passion for motorsport that comes through in everything they do and that mandate comes right from the top in the form of CEO Dave Roberts and his team.”

In addition to the technical development and support, Hawk Performance will also provide its ample marketing, photography and video services and skills to Park Place Motorsports at 2014 racing events and beyond.

“Sponsoring a team the caliber of Park Place Motorsports provides us the ability to create amazing content before, during and after the races,” said Mike DeFord, Vice President of Marketing at Hawk Performance. “At Daytona we will be creating image galleries, video recaps every couple of hours and engaging with our friends on Facebook and YouTube, giving all of them a sense of being at the track, in the middle of the action, as it is happening while also giving away cool prizes for those that engage with the team online. This is a very exciting program for all of us at Hawk.”

The new partnership with Hawk, the ongoing relationship with Children’s Tumor Foundation/Racing4Research, and the team’s driver lineup and prospects for the Rolex 24 has Lindsey more than enthused about the 2014 season.

“I am very proud of our team and the partnerships that we have continued to cultivate with Park Place and the Children’s Tumor Foundation and now Hawk Performance,” Lindsey said. “Our driver lineup is one that shows our level of commitment to achieve solid results. With Kévin and Connor in particular I see two future mega stars, and we are blessed to be able to give them a place to showcase their talents.”

Level 5 Motorsports’ Townsend Bell Signs Three New Sponsors for 2014 Season

Level 5 Motorsports driver Townsend Bell, who will be competing in the inaugural TUDOR United SportsCar Championship racing season, has announced a number of new corporate partnerships.

The team announced several key sponsorships prior to the Rolex 24 At Daytona, the season’s opening round.

Adorning the No. 555 Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 will be REVO Sunglasses, Royal Purple Synthetic Oil, and Motegi Racing Wheels.

“It’s an exciting time for motorsports with the first TUDOR United SportsCar Championship season,” Bell said. “And, we are thrilled to have such great brands joining us as we compete in this outstanding series.”

“Motorsports is a great platform for us to showcase the benefits of our products,” said Randy Fisher, Royal Purple Director of Marketing. “And, Level 5 Motorsports operates at such an elite level that we know together we can deliver a very powerful message.”

Motegi Racing is the manufacturer of premium racing wheels. The company uses relationships with leading motorsports teams to develop high-quality street performance products.

“We’ve successfully taken lessons learned on the track and applied them to make quality performance products for street cars,” said Jody Groce, President of Motegi Racing “For a performance brand like ours, there is no better showcase than Level 5 and Townsend Bell.

These new sponsors join Level 5’s retuning sponsors Ohiya Casino Resort, Prairie Sun Casino and the Stables Casino who were part of the team’s 2013 ALMS P2 Championship season as well.

“We’ve assembled some of the best high performance brands in the world to take on the 2014 Tudor Championship,” Bell said. “With the support of these great companies we’ve got all of the pieces in place for success.”