Heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson Endorses Nissan Micra

British Heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson has become the new face of the Nissan Micra.

The rising British heptathlon star and London 2012 Olympian will appear alongside the new supermini in a series of TV idents, erectile embracing the Micra’s ‘Go Get It’ attitude, cough as part of Nissan’s sponsorship of Sky Living HD Drama, planned and brokered with Manning Gottlieb OMD and Sky Media.

The New Micra idents has been broadcasting from Monday 23 September across Sky Living’s popular drama programmes including Grey’s Anatomy, Supernatural, Elementary and upcoming series Dracula and The Blacklist. Each TV ident features Katarina Johnson-Thompson demonstrating her ‘Go Get It’ attitude in a range of dramatic situations. The idents depict Johnson-Thompson going about her daily routine with her ‘Go Get It’ attitude, completely unfazed by the drama going on around her.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson said: “Last summer was an incredible experience for me and I’m proud of my heptathlon achievements so far, including a personal best and fifth place finish at the World Championships last month. I am delighted to be the face of the new Micra and its powerful ‘Go Get It’ attitude.”

Jim Wright, managing director of Nissan GB said: “The New Micra delivers a confident performance. It appeals to a younger female audience with its interior makeover featuring the latest touchscreen technology and the two bold new colours stand out from the crowd.

“Katarina Johnson-Thompson epitomises a ‘Go Get It’ attitude and as a dedicated individual who excels in all seven of her chosen disciplines she was the perfect fit for the new Nissan Micra. She’s ambitious, tenacious and is a positive influence on and off the track. She’s the perfect ambassador for this car.”

 

TIM Extend Back of Shirt Sponsorship of Corinthians

Brasileiro giants Corinthians have renewed their shirt sponsorship deal with Italian telecommunications firm TIM.

As part of the deal TIM will partner the FIFA Club World Cup champions through to January 2016 and will continue to have branding presence within the numbers on the back of the club’s shirts, impotent along with displaying its logo at the team’s training ground.

Livia Marquez, director of advertising and brand management at TIM Brasil, said: “The strategy of being close to Brazilian clubs, extolling a national passion, has shown promise. Over the past three years, we have shared challenges and achievements with Corinthians. We have been together since 2010, during which time the club marked history with the achievements of the Campeonato Brasileiro, Copa Libertadores, Club World Cup, the Recopa Sudamericana and Paulistão.”

Caio Campos, marketing manager of Corinthians, added: “In an innovative initiative in Brazilian football we are with TIM, a multinational company that has stood out in its area since 2010. Renewing this sponsorship for another two and a half years reflects exactly what we seek in the department of marketing – combining the Corinthians brand with serious businesses and establishing long-term partnerships.”

Valvoline Becomes Official Lubricants Partner of Hendrick Motorsports

Valvoline, one of the largest producers of motor oil in the United States, has announced a new partnership with NASCAR team Hendrick Motorsports in 2014.

The new multi-year agreement through 2017 will see Valvoline featured as a prominent associate sponsor on the four cars driven by Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne. Valvoline will also be the preferred oil for the Hendrick Automotive Group, the fleet of dealers owned by Hendrick Motorsports team boss Rick Hendrick.

Valvoline has past history with Hendrick – it was a lubricant technology partner for Gordon’s first three full seasons in Cup from 1993 to 1995 – and Hendrick himself won his first drag race at age 14 with Valvoline in the car.

Valvoline has long been associated with Roush Fenway Racing, notably on Mark Martin‘s No. 6 Ford and more recently with its green Valvoline NextGen brand featured on the No. 17 Ford driven by Matt Kenseth and this year, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. It has also been on the No. 13 Germain Racing Ford driven by Casey Mearsthis year.

“The Valvoline team is thrilled to partner with Hendrick Motorsports and continue the long history of winning on the track for both organizations,” said Sam Mitchell, president of Ashland Consumer Markets (Valvoline). “Both companies have a strong heritage and similar values with employees driven by hard work, commitment to innovation and passion for cars. This is going to be an exciting and great relationship.”

When I was 14 years old, I won my first drag race with Valvoline in the car,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group. “It’s an innovative American brand that has great racing heritage and a winning history with our organization. This is the company that basically invented motor oil, and we’re excited about having them as a corporate sponsor and hands-on technology partner.

Service Graphics Named Official Visual Communications Partner of BBL

The British Basketball League (BBL) has appointed Service Graphics as their official Visual Communications Partner.

Service Graphics will be exclusively responsible for producing and installing a wide range of BBL branding and promotional material in venues and courts throughout the UK.

Fans will get their first glimpse of our new look stadium branding on Friday 27th September when the new season starts.

BBL’s Commercial Director, David Leyden Dunbar said: “Having secured a number of exciting new partnerships for the 2013/14 season it was crucial that the way in which those brands were represented across the entire league was professional and had the uniformity that any official partner would expect. I had no hesitation in turning to Service Graphics to help develop this from a vision into a reality and with them having been heavily involved in the venue branding of the 2012 Olympics I was confident we were in very capable hands.” 

Service Graphics Managing Director, Steve Parkin added: “We are delighted to be working closely with such a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation. Basketball has soared in popularity around Europe over recent years and this move to secure and streamline BBL’s branding and promotional material reflects their status as a leader in the field. We understand the dynamics, the logistics and the expectations of sporting events and we have the skills and infrastructure in place to meet the demands of sponsors and fans alike.”

Usain Bolt Inks New Endorsement Deal with PUMA

German sportswear giant PUMA have announced they have tied the World’s Fastest Man, Usain Bolt, to a new endorsement contract.

Having partnered with the Jamaican World and Olympic Champion since he was sixteen years old, this new deal will see PUMA work with Usain through and beyond the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.   

Now aged 27, Usain Bolt has been training and competing in PUMA since 2003, most recently wearing the evoSPEED performance spike which led him to the finish line at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the 2013 IAAF World Championships in Moscow, where he won a total of six gold medals.  He has been the face of multiple global marketing campaigns orchestrated by the PUMA, and will be the focus of product initiatives and brand marketing communication in 2014 and beyond.   

Usain Bolt commented, “PUMA has been with me since the very beginning.  They recognised my talent at an early age and have supported me throughout, especially in the early years when I had some difficult times due to injuries.  Their work and commitment to Jamaica is also very important to me.  I have always been very happy to be a part of the PUMA family, I am proud to represent them and delighted to continue with them for the years ahead.” 

Bjoern Gulden (pictured right), CEO for PUMA said, “Usain Bolt has been a partner of PUMA since he was sixteen years old. With our support, he grew from a young athlete with huge potential to a World and Olympic Champion, claiming the title of the World’s Fastest Man.  We are very proud to extend our sponsorship contract with him because Usain is the perfect ambassador of the PUMA brand. He will play a crucial role in our future product concepts as well as brand communications leading towards the Olympic Games in Rio 2016 and beyond.”

PUMA is also a partner for the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) and Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA).

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Delta Air Lines Sponsor Syracuse University Athletics

Delta Air Lines have announced today they have become the official airline of Syracuse University Athletics.

The Syracuse football team will also use Delta as their charter carrier for the 2013 season.

“Delta is proud to continue its commitment to the Syracuse community by partnering with Syracuse University – an institution with a strong reputation for academic and athletic excellence,” said Gail Grimmett, Delta’s senior vice president – New York.

As the official airline of the Orange, Delta will be featured on gameday signage at the Carrier Dome and sponsor in-game promotions during football, basketball and lacrosse games.

Delta has marketing relationships with eight NCAA athletic programs in addition to Syracuse – Boston College, Brigham Young, Duke, Georgia Tech, University of Georgia, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota and University of North Carolina. Delta serves as the charter carrier for 41 NCAA Football programs.

Standard Chartered Retain Shirt Sponsorship of Singapore Rugby

British multinational financial services group Standard Chartered has renewed its sponsorship of the Singapore Rugby Union (SRU) in a new three-year deal worth S$810, doctor 000 (US$645,917).

The deal, valued at S$270,000 per annum, will run from this year to 2016, effectively stretching SCB’s support for the sport to almost two decades.

In turn, the SRU’s national jerseys will feature Standard Charterd logos on their fronts.

The SCB first came on board as a sponsor of the SRU in 1997. Its sponsorship is used mainly to run the Standard Chartered National Rugby Academy (SCNRA) which develops young budding talents and also runs programmes for disadvantaged youth.

Mike Rees, SCB’s Group Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Wholesale Banking: “Standard Chartered is proud to be a sponsor of the Singapore Rugby Union which has played an important role in raising the awareness of rugby in Singapore.

“Our programmes focus on making a difference in the community and we believe with this sponsorship, Standard Chartered will be able to continue the support of the Union’s efforts in using rugby to positively influence the lives of young Singaporeans.”

SRU Technical Director Sam Chan said: “With the continued support from Standard Chartered, we will be able to continue to promote rugby to more schools and be able to nurture and groom more youth players.

“This sponsorship also supports Singapore’s aspirations to instill a strong sporting culture as part of the Singapore Vision 2030 master-plan that promotes living better through sports while ensuring we can use sports to give back to society. This is a big part of the focus of the SRU.”

Champions Tour Extends Title Sponsorships of Seven Events

The Champions Tour, ask a golf tour run by the PGA Tour, order has announced it has extended sponsorship agreements with seven existing tournaments.

The seven existing title sponsors to renew their agreements with the Champions Tour are: 

ACE Group Classic. A title sponsor since 1999, ACE Group recently extended their title sponsor agreement of the Champions Tour event at the TwinEagles Club (Talon Course) in Naples, Florida through 2017.

Allianz Championship. A title sponsor since 2001, Allianz recently extended their title sponsor agreement of the Champions Tour event at the Old Course at Broken Sound Club in Boca Raton, Florida through 2017.

Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship. A title sponsor since 2003, Constellation recently extended their partnership as title sponsor of this major championship through 2017. Fox Chapel Golf Club in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania hosted the event the past two years and will do so again in 2014.

Boeing Classic. A title sponsor since 2005, Boeing recently extended their title sponsor agreement of the Champions Tour event at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge in Seattle, Washington through 2016.

Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai. A title sponsor since 2009, Mitsubishi Electric recently extended their title sponsor agreement of the Champions Tour season-opening event at Hualalai Golf Course on the Big Island in Hawaii through 2016. Mitsubishi Electric also continues their relationship with the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour as official provider of Diamond Vision scoreboards.

Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach. A title sponsor since 2011, Nature Valley recently extended their partnership as title sponsor of the Champions Tour event at Pebble Beach Golf Links and as an Official Marketing Partner through 2016. Their partnership with The First Tee allows them to positively impact the lives of many young people.

Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic presented by C Spire. The tournament, which has been contested since 2010, recently announced a partnership with C Spire Wireless to extend the tournament agreement of the Champions Tour event at Fallen Oak in Biloxi, Mississippi through 2016.

Since it began in 1980, the Champions Tour has visited eight different countries, 38 states and 191 different cities, including San Antonio, Texas, which has hosted a Champions Tour event a record 29 consecutive years. AT&T, the title sponsor in San Antonio, along with Toshiba Corporation, which sponsors the Toshiba Classic in Newport Beach, Calif., are the current longest-running title sponsors on Tour.

“The renewals we’re announcing today demonstrate that the Champions Tour continues to deliver the kind of value our sponsors expect,” said Champions Tour President Mike Stevens. “Our sponsors are able to use this platform as a means to grow their business and their brand. Also, the feedback we receive from our sponsors and fans regarding their interaction with our players is extremely positive and it is what makes the Champions Tour unique.”

Discount Drug Mart Becomes Official Drugstore of the Cleveland Cavaliers

The National Basketball Association’s Cleveland Cavaliers has inked a multi-year agreement with Ohio-based drugstore chain, Discount Drug Mart.

The drugstore will be the presenting partner for the Cavaliers beginning in the 2013-14 season

As the new presenting partner and “Official Drugstore of the Cavaliers” for the 2013-14 season, the agreement extends an on-going relationship with the Cavs organization. 

The announcement was made today at the 28th Annual Cavaliers Youth Fund Golf Classic held at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.  Cavs majority owner Dan Gilbert, CEO Len Komoroski and GM Chris Grant, together with Discount Drug Mart’s COO Doug Boodjeh, Sr. VP of Marketing Dave Baytosh and VP of Advertising David Bergman unveiled the “Cleveland Cavaliers presented by Discount Drug Mart” logo to announce the partnership. Cavs forward #13 Tristan Thompson then presented the Drug Mart VIPs with their own #13 Cavs “Discount Drug Mart” jerseys.                      

“The season presenter is a very important partnership that will attach Discount Drug Mart’s name to our logo and brand for multiple years,” said Kerry Bubolz, Cavs president of business operations. “In addition to the benefits of this entitlement, we are proud and fortunate to team up with a local company who we already enjoy a valued relationship with and shares the same philosophies on how we serve our fans, customers and community.”

Discount Drug Mart opened its first store in Elyria, Ohio in 1969 and since then has established 72 stores in over 20 counties across Ohio including Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati. 

“As the excitement builds around the Cavaliers upcoming season, Discount Drug Mart is thrilled to be a part of the team’s promising future and all the great experiences ahead for Cavs fans and our customers,” said Doug Boodjeh, Discount Drug Mart COO.  “As presenting partner and the ‘Official Drugstore of the Cavaliers,’ we are excited about the new opportunities it creates to enhance our presence in the marketplace and community. It’s a great partnership and we are ready to get this season started!” 

In 2008, Discount Drug Mart began its relationship with the Cavaliers organization across three of its properties that include the AHL Lake Erie Monsters and Quicken Loans Arena.  In addition to being the exclusive retail outlet to purchase tickets to all Quicken Loans Arena events, Drug Mart will have full marketing integration with the Monsters during the 2013-14 season and the designation as the “Official Drugstore of the Monsters.”

British Basketball League Sign Haven Holidays Deal

With the British Basketball League (BBL) set to begin, the organisation has announced a new partnership with Haven Holidays one of the UK’s largest family holiday providers.

In addition to seeing Haven join the League’s existing roster of sponsors, this new partnership will see BBL clubs delivering basketball activity sessions on multiple Haven coastal holiday parks throughout their peak season beginning in Easter 2014. 

Commenting on the partnership the League’s Commercial Director David Leyden Dunbar said: “I’m genuinely thrilled to welcome Haven Holidays into The BBL. It struck me from the moment we began speaking with Haven that we share so many common values not least putting families at the very heart of everything we do combined with a strong desire to offer unbeatable value for money. It was always important that any relationship we forged with Haven was about more than just attaching their brand name to the League and by offering activity sessions during our off season, run by our professional players, at some of Haven’s most popular resorts I’m confident we’re achieved this.” 

Gordon Bush, Haven’s Sports and Leisure manager said: “We’re always looking for new experiences for our guests and we are all very excited about our partnership with the BBL. It’s a fantastic opportunity for kids to experience something really unique whilst on holiday with us.”