Amgen, the world’s largest independent biotechnology company, has extended its title sponsorship of cycling’s Tour of California, the largest professional cycling event in America.

“We are very excited about renewing our title sponsorship,” said Ray Jordan, senior vice president of Corporate Affairs at Amgen. “At Amgen, we are passionate about serving patients and this is a great opportunity to connect with them from a different perspective.”

The announcement underscores Amgen’s continued commitment to the State of California, the healthy benefits of cycling, inclusive of the active Amgen Cycling Club, and a long history of involvement in charitable events.

“From day one of our partnership, Amgen has been an extraordinary, dedicated partner and has worked closely with us to build the race into what it is today – America’s premier cycling event, and one of the most anticipated on the international calendar,” said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the Amgen Tour of California and senior vice president of AEG Sports.

The Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race created and presented by AEG that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course that traverses hundreds of miles of California’s iconic highways, byways and coastlines each spring. 

“The partnership with Amgen has played a major role in creating the stature and respect that our race has been known for from day one,” said Nick Baker, Sr. Vice President, AEG Global Partnerships. “What we most admire about the wonderful people working at Amgen is also what sets them apart from so many other corporations; the strong commitment to leverage the global event platform of the race that we created together to inform and educate millions about resources available to those affected by Cancer, while at the same time honoring the survivors who set examples for millions more. This is truly a company and a partnership that rises above the business side of sponsorship.”

NAPA Auto Parts have announced they will end their sponsorship of Michael Waltrip Racing and the No. 56 Toyota at the end of the Sprint Cup Series season.

NAPA decided to ends its relationship with MWR after the team was found to have altered the Race to the Chase outcome  with their actions during the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway.

On their Facebook page, prostate NAPA posted: “After thorough consideration, drugs NAPA has made the difficult decision to end its sponsorship arrangement with Michael Waltrip Racing effective December 31, 2013.

“NAPA believes in fair play and does not condone actions such as those that led to the penalties assessed by NASCAR. We remain supportive of the millions of NASCAR fans and will evaluate our future position in motorsports.”

Michael Waltrip Racing also released a statement: “Michael Waltrip Racing respects the decision NAPA announced today following the events at Richmond.

“There is no doubt, the story of Michael Waltrip Racing begins with NAPA Auto Parts, but there are many more chapters yet to be written. MWR has the infrastructure and support of Toyota for three teams plus three Chase-caliber, race-winning drivers. With the support of our corporate partners we are preparing to field three teams in 2014. MWR is a resilient organization capable of winning races and competing for the championship and that remains our sole focus.”

The Atlanta Falcons and Kayem Foods announced today a new multi-year sponsorship and licensing agreement to manufacture and distribute Kayem Franks and Sausage at the Georgia Dome during Falcons games.

The partnership makes Kayem the official brand of Franks and Sausage of the Atlanta Falcons and the Georgia Dome.

To celebrate the new partnership with the Atlanta Falcons, Kayem has launched the Ultimate Falcons Fan Experience Sweepstakes.

The Atlanta Falcons agreement helps Kayem continue to increase its presence in the southeasternUnited States. This year, Kayem rolled out its Beef Hot Dogs and Beef and Pork Hot Dogs throughout Publix Super Markets, the largest and fastest-growing employee-owned supermarket chain in the United States. Kayem is now available at Publix in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina,Florida and Tennessee and is looking to expand into other venues in the near future.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the Atlanta Falcons and to introduce our great tasting franks to the diehard sports fans watching the Falcons this season at the Georgia Dome,” said Bob Kufferman, Kayem Senior Brand Manager. “This partnership is the latest milestone in our efforts to expand Kayem’s brand presence throughout the southeastern states, while delivering our top-quality franks and sausage to all, whether you are watching the game or hosting your backyard family cookout.”

“We are excited to have Kayem as a multi-year partner and to introduce the distinct flavor of Kayem’s Franks and Sausages to our fans as we kick off the regular season,” said Tim Zulawski, Vice President of Sponsorship Sales and Service, Atlanta Falcons. “For us, it’s all about creating the best football experience for our fans and by offering a great tasting and trusted brand of hot dogs and sausage like Kayem, it will only further enhance the game-day experience at home games and events at the Georgia Dome throughout the season.”

English League Two club Exeter City Football have announced JMC Group as their new back of shirt sponsors. 

The first team will wear the JMC name on the reverse of their home, away and third shirts.

Exeter City’s Vice Chairman and Chief Executive, Julian Tagg, said: “We are extremely pleased to be working with JMC in this way and are now developing plans to ensure that both parties get real value from our partnership. JMC are taking a long-term view of the association and looking to grow the relationship. It is a successful and vibrant company with a close-knit management team who genuinely want the JMC Group to be part of the local community.

“The company understands the fabulous work the club does with young people through its ‘Football in the Community’ efforts and wants to support a club that is so routed in our society. It is a very exciting partnership and reflects the confidence companies have in our future and we welcome Warren Crook and his very successful team into the Exeter City family.”

Warren Crook, Managing Director at JMC Group, added: “We are really pleased to be given the opportunity to connect with Exeter City in this way and are looking forward to many years of working together. The JMC Group is a leader in its field with its heart in Exeter, and it is a pleasure to be associated with such a well-run and friendly club, which represents its city and county so well and does so much in the community.”

Founded in 2008 by Managing Director Warren Crook, JMC has grown to be one of Europe’s leading suppliers of aircraft support, engineering and maintenance personnel and numbering names such as Flybe, Jet2, Lufthansa and Monarch amongst its clients.

The Board for Cricket Control in India (BCCI) are on the search for a new title sponsor after Bharti Airtel, the telecommunication company, have revealed they will end their deal with the organisation at the end of their contract according to ESPN.

The BCCI’s marketing committee will meet in Mumbai on Thursday for finalizing the invitation to tender document for getting in a new series sponsor for home fixtures.

Airtel has had the rights as series sponsors for all international and domestic matches played in India since September 1, 2010 with their deal expected to end March 31, 2013.

However, since the company opted not to continue as the series sponsor, the BCCI’s marketing committee – a 23-member panel headed by Farooq Abdullah – will finalise the tender document.

“Most of the terms and conditions, barring the base price, are likely to remain the same,” a BCCI insider told ESPN.

The BCCI has had to deal with a number of controversies recently including the IPL spot-fixing scandal. However, a BCCI insider said Airtel’s decision had nothing to do with the recent controversies in Indian cricket. In fact, he claimed that Airtel were preparing for a bigger association with Indian cricket. “Airtel have shown interest in bidding for the team title rights, like they had done in the past,” he said. 

National Hockey League team San Jose Sharks have extended their sponsorship deal with Fry’s Electronics through 2016 in a ‘seven-figure’ agreement.

As the Sharks’ official retailer for consumer electronics, Fry’s will get company logos painted on the ice at SAP Center, arena signage and arena advertising space.

Sharks executives, focused on improving the team’s lagging revenue, hinted that the partnership could also incorporate new arena technology.

“We look forward to working closely with Fry’s to utilize their expertise in high-technology to further enhance the fan’s game-watching experience,” said Sharks COO John Tortora in a statement.

Oxford United have announced a new health and safety provider with Peninsula joining the League Two club. 

They will be hosting a number of special events at the Kassam Stadium on matchdays to show how they can help businesses all across Oxfordshire, with the first event scheduled for Tuesday November 26th when United welcome Newport County. Look out for full details on how to come and meet them and discuss how they can help your company.

Tony Davison, Oxford United’s Commercial Director and former iSportconnect employee said: “This is another exciting development. The club has worked alongside Peninsula for a number of years but this partnership takes it to another level really. Peninsula are a big name in Health and Safety and Employment Law and it will be good to have them involved on an official level.”

Peninsula are the leading provider of employment law and health & safety services in the UK. Established since 1983, they have around 26,000 businesses who have already integrated Peninsula to work as part of their HR and Health and Safety departments.

See Nick Babington of Peninsula discussing the deal below.