Grundon Waste to Sponsor Oxford United

League Two club Oxford United have announced a partnership with Grundon Waste Management, medstore one of the UK’s leading suppliers of integrated recycling and waste-management solutions. 

Grundon have been long-term supporters of The U’s, discount sponsoring the successful women’s team as well as investing in the youth development side of the club and this weekend will be working with the U’s for an innovative match sponsorship deal as United take on Northampton Town.

As part of the deal Grundon will be bringing a vintage Albion Truck to the game. It will be parked at the West End of the Kassam Stadium for fans to take a look, and will highlight a new recruitment drive that the fast-growing company is implementing.

Clayton Sullivan-Webb,  Grundon’s Managing Director said: “We have a long association with the club and I am proud to say that I am a supporter. We wanted to do something a little different  to raise awareness of career opportunities within the company and were delighted when the club suggested this package. The Albion is such an eye-catching vehicle and we welcome fans to come and take a look. We have also arranged for something called  the ‘Grundon Grab’ as half-time entertainment. 

“We also service Northampton so this game fits in perfectly and we are looking forward what should be an excellent match.” 

Tony Davison, Oxford United’s Commercial Director commented on the partnership: “We are pleased to be building this partnership with one of Oxfordshire’s leading employers. The ‘Grundon Grab’ idea is a simple one which should  be entertaining to watch. Grundon identified an opportunity to work with the club on a promotional campaign in an innovative way and we hope they enjoy their day with us.”

Maserati Set to Sponsor World Squash Championship

Luxury sports car brand Maserati has agreed a deal to sponsor the AJ Bell World Squash Championship which takes place in Manchester, England, from October 26 to November 3.

It will be the first time in the famous Italian car manufacturer’s 99-year history that they have sponsored a non-motorsport related event.

Maserati’s involvement is a coup for the competition which will feature 64 of the planet’s best squash players battling it out for the right to be crowned champion of the world on November 3.

World Number One, Egyptian Ramy Ashour, will be hoping to retain the title he won in 2012 but he will face stiff competition from World Number Two Gregory Gaultier of France and Britain’s due of two-time world champion Nick Matthew and James Willstrop, a former World Number One.

“We’re delighted to be supporting the 2013 Men’s World Squash Championship in Manchester,” said James Cowan, Marketing Manager GB, Maserati North Europe. 

“It is the very first time Maserati GB has had involvement in squash, but we are excited to be taking part in such an important and world-class tournament for the sport. Maserati and squash are a perfect partnership with accuracy, agility, power and performance, all key elements and characteristics representative of both our cars and the sport.”

PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough said; “We’re delighted to welcome Maserati on board as the latest partner of the 2013 AJ Bell World Squash Championship. “Maserati are an iconic brand associated with world-class performance and it is fitting that they will be associated with the World Championships, which itself promises to deliver a week of world class sporting action in Manchester this autumn.” 

Pirtek Acquire Naming Rights to Parramatta Eels Stadium

National Rugby League club Parramatta Eels have a new name for their home stadium with Pirtek signing on as naming rights partner.

Pirtek have signed a five year deal with Venues NSW with an option to extend as naming rights partners at Parramatta Stadium. The stadium will be known as Pirtek Stadium.

Gabrielle Upton, Minister for Sport and Recreation says it’s an exciting announcement for the future of the stadium.

“I am delighted to welcome Pirtek on board as the first ever naming rights sponsor of this iconic sporting ground,” Ms Upton said.

“With a long history as home of the Parramatta Eels, the Stadium is continuing to attract record crowds with the Western Sydney Wanderers as co-tenants.”

“This adds up to mean significant economic benefits for Western Sydney local businesses, with the flow-on effect of ticket sales and visitor spending.”

Member for Parramatta, Geoff Lee, said: “It’s exciting for this unique and much-loved community asset with over 260,000 people having walked through the gates over the 2012-13 season,” Mr Lee said.

“Plans on the $29m redevelopment are well underway, and Pirtek’s slogan is very appropriate as they have moved from the Parramatta Eels jersey sponsors to Stadium naming rights sponsor.”

Pirtek CEO Stephen Dutton said, “Pirtek commenced its business in Western Sydney 33 years ago and whilst expanding both nationally and internationally, it is still our spiritual homeland.”

“Branding on this iconic stadium in a long-term deal with Venues NSW was a logical step for us.”

“We have been privileged to enjoy a great association with the Parramatta Eels over the last nine years and look forward to staying close with the club, which has some of the best supporters in the NRL.”

Laurent-Perrier Named Official Champagne Supplier of Rugby League World Cup 2013

Champagne manufacturer Laurent-Perrier has signed a new sponsorship deal with Rugby League World Cup 2013.

The deal sees Laurent-Perrier become the Official Champagne Supplier for RLWC2013, and and join the tournament’s growing portfolio of partners. 

Based near the French city of Reims, Laurent-Perrier is one of the world’s best-selling Champagne brands and exports to more than 120 countries. 

Rugby League World Cup 2013 General Manager, Sally Bolton said: “To be associated with a brand of Laurent-Perrier’s repute is fantastic for the tournament. 

“Laurent-Perrier are a huge brand and, as the global sporting event of 2013 and it is fantastic to have them on board as a part of our ever-increasing sponsorship portfolio.” 

Rugby League World Cup 2013 kicks off on October 26 with a spectacular Opening Ceremony and double header of matches featuring England against Australia, and Wales taking on Italy. 

The action culminates on November 30 with the showpiece Rugby League World Cup Final at Old Trafford on November 30.

US Soccer Star Alex Morgan to Endorse ChapStick

Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, the makers of lip balm ChapStick, have announced today Alex Morgan, Olympic gold medalist and member of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, as the brand’s newest spokesperson.

Morgan will serve as the first brand spokesperson in more than a decade and will appear in national television and print advertising, set to debut November 4th, elevating the importance of lip health and fostering continued innovation for the iconic and beloved brand.

The product focus for the start of Morgan’s two-year partnership is ChapStick Hydration Lock. The brand’s latest innovation provides eight hours of moisture and contains advanced ingredients, including CoQ10 and Hyaluronic Spheres, to support soft, supple lips and give lips a fuller appearance. Morgan will play an integral role in spreading the word about the importance of caring for your lips and the many offerings ChapStick provides for a variety of lip care needs.

“I always have ChapStick with me, whether I’m training or hanging out with my friends, so partnering with ChapStick was a natural fit for me,” said Morgan. “What’s most interesting to me is the thought and science behind each product. Lips are an area of the body often overlooked and when it comes down to it, they should be among the most thought about because of their sensitive nature. No one understands lip health like ChapStick and that’s why I trust my lips to them.”

As a star forward in international women’s soccer, Morgan has had a breakout career. Her astounding list of accomplishments includes number one overall draft in 2011 by the Western New York Flash and youngest player on the USA’s roster at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Most notably, Morgan played a pivotal role in the 2012 London Olympic Games, scoring the winning goal during the semi-final match against Canada in extra time, and leading Team USA to their gold medal win against Japan. Currently, she serves as forward on the National Women’s Soccer League Champion, Portland Thorns, and is a member of the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team.

“The goal of our campaign is to open consumer’s eyes to overall lip health in fun and interesting ways, like sharing lip tidbits on TV and social media to our 3.8 million Facebook fans,” said Farrell Simon, Senior Brand Manager, ChapStick. “As an avid ChapStick user, Alex Morgan embodies the voice of our consumer and the balance of health, beauty and fun, making her the perfect fit to help evolve the way we view and care for our lips.”

The campaign will kick off with a new TV ad featuring Morgan and a series of print ads and digital videos developed by The Burns Group, New York.

Florida Panthers Announces Sponsorship Renewal with Incapital

Incapital, a leading underwriter and distributor of fixed income, have announced that for the third consecutive year, it will sponsor the NHL’s Florida Panthers.

“We look forward to continuing our support of the Florida Panthers’ organization,” said John Radtke, CEO of Incapital. “Especially through the Panther’s partnership with Forgotten Soldiers, we hope to raise visibility of their exceptional work in the South Florida community.”

Over the course of the hockey season, Incapital will highlight players ‘in the pipeline,’ or those coming up through the Florida Panthers farm system, and recognize those who ‘distribute’ assists during the various games.

“The opportunity to collaborate alongside the Florida Panthers to honor both local heroes in our own community as well as draw attention to the incredible work of the Forgotten Soldiers is exceptionally important to our firm,” said Chris Clews, Executive Director of Marketing at Incapital. “This partnership will support their important efforts, and at the same time, build our brand recognition throughout the South Florida region as well.” 

Lenox Hill Named Official Hospital of New York Rangers

Lenox Hill Hospital, doctor part of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, clinic has agreed a new multi-year marketing partnership with the Madison Square Garden Company.

As part of the deal Lenox Hill Hospital will be the exclusive Official Hospital of the New York Rangers and an Official Partner of Madison Square Garden.

The deal will provide Lenox Hill with valuable brand exposure across multiple platforms, including inside Madison Square Garden Arena, online on BlueshirtsUnited.com and on television on MSG Network.

“This sponsorship gives Lenox Hill Hospital and our health system great exposure throughout the metropolitan area,” said Michael Dowling, president and chief executive officer of North Shore-LIJ, which includes the internationally recognized Lenox Hill Hospital and the Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital, as well as a new Center for Comprehensive Care scheduled to open next year on the former campus of St. Vincent’s Hospital in Greenwich Village. “We are thrilled to be partnered with one of the city’s premier sports franchises and a great entertainment venue like Madison Square Garden.”

“Lenox Hill Hospital is a historic, New York brand, just like Madison Square Garden, and we are proud to add them to the lineup of industry leading companies that we count as marketing partners,” said Ryan O’Hara, president of content distribution and sales, The Madison Square Garden Company. “This partnership combines our world-class venues, iconic sports teams and award-winning television networks in a customized marketing platform that provides Lenox Hill with unique brand exposure in New York that only MSG could provide.”

Also Lenox Hill will be highlighted on static and digital signage in Madison Square Garden during Rangers games, including a branded dasherboard, home bench and penalty box signage and a feature on GardenVision, the center-hung scoreboard. The hospital will also be the presenting partner of the Rangers Club Seat section as well as the exclusive North and South Concierge entrances to the building and two guest services locations in the Arena, a perfect pairing for a brand known for best in class service.

Yeh! Yogurt to Sponsor Montreal Canadiens’ Bell Center

Yeh! Yogurt and Café have announced today that it has entered into a sponsorship agreement with the Bell Center, pills home of National Hockey League team Montreal Canadiens.

Twins Jon and Marvin Gurman, overnight order owners of Yeh! chain of retail stores, said: “We are delighted to be associated with the Montreal Canadiens. This is a most storied franchise that transcends the world of sports and whose reach extends around the world. We could not associate our brand with a better partner.”

Founded in 2008 in Montreal, Canada, Yeh! is the healthy experience of self-service frozen yogurt to Canada. Yeh! is part of the JCorp group of companies with its head office in Montreal.

 

2014 Gay Games Organisers Look to Draw Sochi 2014 Sponsors

The organisers of the 2014 Gay Games have reached out to corporate sponsors of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia inviting them to demonstrate their commitment to diversity in sports by becoming sponsors of next year’s Gay Games. T

The Gay Games, one of the world’s largest inclusive multi-sporting events, will take place in Cleveland+Akron, Ohio, with an expected 10,000 participants competing in 36-plus sport and cultural events.

“Russia’s anti-gay laws serve as a global reminder of why the Gay Games, begun more than 30 years ago, are needed today,” says Steve Sokany, co-chair of the 2014 Gay Games. “As long as LGBT athletes are not free to compete openly everywhere in the world, the Gay Games are a necessity. They reinforce the value of allowing people to participate in sports as their true selves without fear of legal and/or social repercussions.”

Organisers of the 2014 Gay Games have joined the LGBT Sport Coalition in inviting all those affiliated with the Olympics, from the International Olympic Committee to the media covering the Russia games, to discuss the repressive anti-gay laws in the host country and work so all LGBT Olympians are able to compete openly, proudly and without any negative consequences.

“The Gay Games were founded by Olympic decathlete Tom Waddell as a ‘vehicle of change.’ That mission continues today,” says Hollie Ksiezyk, co-chair of the 2014 Gay Games.

“The Gay Games’ motto is Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best. The Gay Games are open to all adults regardless of sexual orientation or athletic ability,” says Ksiezyk. “We already are seeing the world come together in that spirit.”

To date, Gay Games 9, the organization planning and implementing the 2014 Gay Games, has heard back from three of the 24 corporations that were contacted. All three declined to become sponsors. “We are hopeful that among the remaining corporations we have not yet heard from that there are several who will step up and show their support for the ideals of the Gay Games,” says Sokany.

AIG Sponsors Dublin GAA

US insurance firm AIG has announced a sponsorship deal with Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association (Dublin GAA), allergy one of the 32 county boards of the GAA. 

The deal, doctor | which is a reported €2 million (US$2.7m) over five years will see AIG take over from Vodafone as the sponsors of the county’s hurling and football teams at all levels.

In a new departure, the ladies football and camogie teams will also come under the one sponsorship umbrella.

The agreement will come into effect on 1 November.

Dublin county board chairman Andy Kettle has welcomed the new deal and said: “This sponsorship deal is a really significant boost to everyone associated with Dublin GAA.

The strength of the Dublin brand is illustrated by our ability to negotiate this outstanding deal in a depressed economic market.

“AIG is a blue chip organisation with a proven track record in sponsorship and they are going to be an exceptional partner and they fully understand what we are trying to achieve in Dublin.”