Hooters to Sponsor Nelson Piquet Jr. at Chicagoland Speedway

Hooters of America, LLC, and Chanticleer Holdings, Inc., a franchisee of international Hooters locations, has announced Hooters will sponsor Nelson Piquet, Jr.’s No. 30 Chevrolet Camaro in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) race at Chicagoland Speedway on Sept. 14.

The No. 30 car sponsorship celebrates Hooters 30th anniversary year, honoring the iconic legacy of the brand and continued growth as one of the most successful dining destinations in the world.

The 27-year-old driver, who is competing in his first full season in the NNS for Turner Scott Motorsports, became the first Brazilian to win in one of NASCAR’s top-three national touring series events when he took the checkered flag last year at Road America. Piquet Jr. went on to win two more races in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2012, while also earning the series’ Most Popular Driver and Most Improved Driver awards. Piquet Jr. is a former Formula One driver and is the son of three-time Formula One world champion, Nelson Piquet.

“With a talented driver like Piquet, Jr., his international presence and a venue like Chicagoland, Hooters is proud to represent the number 30 car as we celebrate our 30th birthday this fall,” said Dave Henninger, chief marketing officer, Hooters of America. “The sponsorship gives us a special opportunity to showcase the contemporary evolution of Hooters, while paying tribute to our rich history that includes a longstanding relationship within the sport of stock car racing.”

Part of the Hooters evolution is the expansion of the casual dining restaurant brand into international markets. Chanticleer Holdings, which secured exclusive rights to operate Hooters restaurants in parts of Brazil earlier this year, plans to announce its first Brazil location in the near future.

“Hooters is such an iconic brand and has a rich history in the sport of stock car racing,” Piquet Jr. said. “It’s truly an honor to celebrate Hooters’ first 30 years and also the brand’s growth in global markets like my home country of Brazil.”

INEOS Renews Headline Sponsorship for Sailing’s Solent Circuit

Lymington Town Sailing Club (LTSC) has announced the continued support of global chemicals producer INEOS as headline sponsor of the Club’s flagship keel boat series, The Solent Circuit for the eight consecutive year.

The 2013 Solent Circuit will take place over seven Sundays commencing on the 13th October, with the grand finale on 24th November. 

The Solent Circuit is now in its 42nd year and is the West Solent’s annual ‘must do’ autumn series for keelboats. With around 70 boats taking part across the various classes, racing takes place in the western Solent with a mixture of ‘Round the Cans’ and windward/leeward courses, adding variety as well as challenging the competitors.

LTSC Rear Commodore Sailing, Rob Milledge commented, “We are delighted that INEOS has agreed to stay on as title sponsor of the Solent Circuit. We are looking forward to welcoming back familiar faces as well as new competitors wishing to take part. This sponsorship is very important to the smooth running of another successful series this autumn and we are very grateful to INEOS for their continued support.”

Replay XD Support Andretti Autosport’s Zach Veach at Grand Prix of Baltimore

Replay XD has announced it will sponsor Firestone Indy Lights/Andretti Autosport driver Zach Veach at the Grand Prix of Baltimore.

Zach and the Andretti Autosport team rely on the crystal clear HD video from their RePlay XD cameras to study and learn from the valuable video information that help them get the most from the car and from Zach.

“We are extremely excited to have this opportunity to be included in the impressive ride of Zach’s career. He is an amazing young man with amazing drive and talent.” He and his father Roger have been incredibly important and helpful to RePlay XD’s success. We at RePlay XD are proud to have them as part of the RePlay XD family.” said John Spar, President of Replay XD. “Having the opportunity for Replay XD to work with someone as dedicated as Zach and as devoted as his Andretti team is a true pleasure. The Replay XD team cannot wait to kick things into gear” 

“I’ve been associated with Replay XD for about 3 years now, brought them to the Pro Mazda series, and added everyone involved with it into my racing family. That’s why having them come onto the car this weekend means so much!” said Zach Veach. “It’s a product that I’ve always been a fan of, and to be associated with them means a lot to me. I’m very excited to see what the future has to offer.”

Reliable Heating and Air Sponsor Mike Bliss for Great Clips/Grit Chips 300

Reliable Heating and Air will sponsor the No. 19 of Mike Bliss for the Great Clips / Grit Chips 300 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The number one HVAC service in Atlanta will serve as the primary sponsor for the Nationwide Series veteran as he makes his eighth start at Atlanta.

Local and family owned Reliable Heating and Air is located in Woodstock, tadalafil Georgia.

The 22nd Annual Great Clips / Grit Chips 300 at Atlanta Motor Speedway will take place on Saturday, August 31st with coverage starting at 7:30 p.m. (EST).

Tony Parker Signs Global Endorsement Deal with Renault

French car manufacturer Renault have announced San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker as a new ambassador in a global partnership.

The French athlete will endorse New Renault Koleos for two years. Parker will be the public face of the global communications campaign for New Renault Koleos starting in September 2013. The two-year partnership, doctor announced today at the Chengdu Motor Show in China, ampoule will include a range of operations in Renault’s various markets.

Tony Parker, 31, was the first French basketball player to win an NBA championship title. 

Tony Parker commented: “I hope I can contribute to boosting Renault’s brand awareness and image across the world. If I can inspire people to test drive Renault Koleos, that would be a great outcome for our partnership. I’m proud to be teaming up with Renault. We share the same values, especially our love of simple things, being approachable and a sense of responsibility towards our brand audiences in all their diversity.”

Tony Parker – a fan of cars, especially sports cars – also supports Renault’s commitment to electric vehicles: “It’s the future…”

Renault will also support the ‘Tony Parker Camps’, which are basketball camps that allow young people to hone their playing skills and meet their idol, who has always remained close to his roots. Similarly, Renault will sponsor the ‘Par Cœur Gala’, which aims to raise funds for different charities.

Shell Renews Ducati MotoGP Sponsorship

Shell has announced that it has renewed its sponsorship of MotoGP team Ducati for a further three years until at least the end of 2016.

The extension means the two parties will continue to co-operate on marketing activities and the supply of Shell Advance motorcycle oil for the first-fill of Ducati road bikes at the Borgo Panigale factory. Also the Technical Partnership also enables collaboration on research and development, including the development of bespoke products for the MotoGP teams – the Ducati Team and the officially supported Pramac Racing Team. 

Shell embarked on its Technical Partnership with Ducati in 1999 in the World Superbike Championship and then entered the MotoGP World Championship as a key technology partner of the Ducati MotoGP team. 

Andrew Hepher, General Manager Marketing Consumer Brands and Product, Shell, said: “We are delighted to announce that Shell will continue the Technical Partnership with Ducati. The two brands share a successful history both on and off the track and it’s fantastic to be able to continue our relationship both in the development of products for road bikes and in the toughest motorcycle racing championship in the world – MotoGP.”

Claudio Domenicali, CEO, Ducati Motor Holding, added: “All our partners are important to the continued technical development of our products and work with us to pursue success on the track. Over the past 15 years, Shell, with Shell Advance motorcycle oils and Shell V-Power performance fuels, has been instrumental in helping us to achieve ever increasing on-track performance allied to exceptional reliability. We also know that using Shell Advance motorcycle oils as the first-fill in our road bikes ensures they are looked after in the best possible way. We’re all looking forward to the next chapter of our partnership.” 

Renault Sign Sponsorship Deals with Three Top 14 Teams

Renault, price France’s number one automobile brand, has new commercial deals with three Top 14 rugby teams.

They have agreed partnerships with reigning French champions Castres Olympique ASM Clermont-Auvergne for a further three years, as well as with Union Bordeaux-Bègles this season. 

Renault will also sponsor Pro D2 Championship teams Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne and Tarbes. 

Renault’s commitment to French rugby extends well beyond just the professional arena, since the company also provides its support to more than 100 amateur clubs through its regional branches and nationwide sales network – the largest in the country with some 5,000 dealerships. 

Also Renault enjoys ties with a number of renowned international players, including Dimitri Szarzewski and Julien Pierre, both of whom will act as ambassadors for the brand this season. 

Bernard Cambier, Commercial Director, Renault France, said: “Our involvement in rugby goes well beyond simply partnering an institution. It extends, too, to the pitch through associations with the sport’s everyday actors who share Renault’s values. Renault has been a backer of professional and amateur rugby alike for many years, both at grass roots and national levels.”

Michel Dhomps, President, Castres Olympique, commented: “Castres Olympique is extremely pleased to be able to count on Renault as one of its chief partners. After numerous years during which the club has benefited from backing at a local level, this reinforces our ties and we would like to thank the brand’s management for the confidence they have placed in us.”

Eric de Cromières, President, ASM Clermont-Auvergne, added: “It is with a great deal of joy and pride that we welcome the renewal of our partnership with Renault for the next three seasons. The loyalty of our partners underscores the common values we share and our joint ambition to rise to new challenges. Out on the pitches of the Top 14, we will put all of our heart and professionalism into successfully meeting those challenges – just as Renault regularly does in the world of motorsport.”

Bubba Watson to Endorse Greenbrier Classic

The Greenbrier Classic has announced that 2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson has joined the team of professional golfers representing the resort.

Watson will join Greenbrier pro Tom Watson, generic an eight-time Major winner, ailment including a pair of Masters championships, sales 2012 U.S. Senior Open champion Kenny Perry and 2012 U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson as a member of “Team Greenbrier.” He’ll display The Greenbrier logo on his bag while participating in all professional tournaments, pro-am events and public golf exhibitions.

“The Greenbrier, to us, is all about family,” Watson said Tuesday, while enjoying a mini-vacation at The Greenbrier with his wife, Angie, and 16-month-old son Caleb. “Everybody here has treated us great. The family atmosphere, the history here, the beauty here, how could you not want to be a part of it? It’s a dream resort, and hopefully Caleb will grow old here and his kids will grow up here, as well.”

Greenbrier owner and CEO Jim Justice has quickly developed a close relationship with Watson and said he was thrilled to have him as part of the team.

“He’s got Caleb and Angie, and they’re the greatest,” said Justice. “His values are rock solid and grounded and what I think The Greenbrier ought to be all about. He’s a good person with incredible talent. He’s got a good personality, he engages the crowd and that’s what we’re all about.”

Watson said it’s an honor to be associated with the other members of The Greenbrier team.

“For me to be associated now, in a roundabout way, with Sam Snead and Tom Watson is an honor,” said Watson, who saw the property for the first time in July when he played in The Greenbrier Classic, the resort’s annual PGA tour event. “I’m young and haven’t done anything in my life like they have. It’s a thrill and a dream come true.”

Watson has also purchased a lot and plans on building a home at The Greenbrier Sporting Club. He’s spent the last few days researching different plans for his home, which he would only reveal is “on the mountain,” and he hopes to have the construction finished in time for next year’s Greenbrier Classic.

“I need a place to stay,” he said with a laugh. “They make you feel at home here, and I love it. Then, when you add in four beautiful courses to play golf, it’s great. It was easy to fall in love with it. There’s the pools, the bunker, horse rides, walking trails, and in bad weather the bowling alley and the indoor pool. It’s some of the best food I’ve ever had.

“I’m not used to snow, so that part is a little different. But I want to spend some winters here, and obviously Christmas here. During the summer, it will be perfect.”

Taking full advantage of the new partnership, The Greenbrier will rename the back tees at The Old White TPC Course — the home of The Greenbrier Classic — the “Bubba tees.” 

GEICO Named Premier Sponsor of USA Water Ski

Auto insurance company GEICO has announced it will be the Premier Sponsor of USA Water Ski, symptoms the national governing body of organized water skiing and wakeboarding in the United States.

GEICO also will be the Official Auto Insurance of USA Water Ski and USA Water Ski’s National Championships Series of Events, arthritis and an Official Sponsor of the U.S. Water Ski Teams. The sponsorship package includes a range of marketing efforts, ambulance from advertising and e-mail to on-site event opportunities at USA Water Ski’s premier events.

“With USA Water Ski being the national governing body for all towed water sports in the United States and with GEICO being a premier provider for auto and home insurance products in the United States, this is a terrific partnership for providing special opportunities for our USA Water Ski members,” said Bob Crowley, executive director of USA Water Ski. 

The largest and most active water ski federation in the world, USA Water Ski serves more than 20,000 members across the country. Nearly 80 percent of the organization’s members are involved in tournament competition each year; the remainder being recreational water skiers. 

“GEICO is thrilled to work with USA Water Ski to serve as a sponsor and provide a special discount on auto insurance for their members,” said Deedre Daniel, director of GEICO’s sponsored marketing. “USA Water Ski does a tremendous job of promoting the growth and development of recreational and competitive water skiing to its vast network of members and partners, so this was an easy, natural fit.”

Nasser Hussain Becomes Skype Ambassador

Skype has appointed sports marketing agency, clinic MediaCom Sport to use Nasser Hussain at the Skype Pavilion where a cricket training net will be set up for the ‘Skype Speedbowl Challenge’.

Visitors can compete to be the fastest bowler as measured by a state-of-the-art speed gun reader. Top bowlers get (as well as bragging rights) their name up on the digital read out and the chance to bowl out cricket legend, Nasser Hussain. 

As well as making a number of personal appearances for the brand, Nasser will also appear in print, online and radio advertising. 

Hussain, who captained England for 45 matches between 1999 and 2003, was born in Madras, India and currently works a commentator for Sky Sports and ESPN Star India. During his professional career he scored more than 20,000 runs including 52 centuries. 

“Nasser Hussain travels the world covering the sport he loves. He epitomizes the kind of person who can benefit most from keeping in touch with their friends, family and colleagues using Skype. Skype are all about bringing people together – we are delighted be working with Nasser to promote their new low rates to India and Pakistan to the global audience of cricket fans,” said James Hough, Director of Sport at MediaCom Global.