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NanoTech Adds Three MMA Stars to Sponsorship Portfolio

NanoTech Entertainment has announced today that it has entered into long term sponsorship agreements with multiple top level mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters.

The first three fighters to join the NanoTech team are David “Daudi” Mitchell, doctor David “Badman” Huckaba, and Michael “May Day” McDonald.

“NanoTech has been making a big move into the Media sector this year as we prepare to launch multiple new OTT/IPTV Channels, services and consumer products,” stated NanoTech CEO Jeffrey A. Foley. “Part of our growth is to build up our presence with consumers. MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world, with world class organizations like the UFC putting on sold out events around the world. We feel this is a great field to be involved in to help build our brand.

“We have selected fighters that share our values and we will help represent NanoTech and our products with pride.”

Mitchell, who fought in the past weekend’s UFC 162 PPV event live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada was the first to fly the NanoTech logo. Mitchell has a professional record of 12 wins and 3 losses, with his last four fights being in the UFC.

Foley closed by saying, “NanoTech is building the Future of Television, and part of that is gain exposure in the fastest growing sport in the world. We are very excited to work with our fighters as they help promote the company to a global audience.”

Peak Becomes Official Licensed Teamwear Partner of WNBL

Chinese sportswear brand Peak has become the Official Licensed Teamwear partner of Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) for the next three years.

The new deal, which covers seasons 2013/14 through to 2015/16, will give Peak the exclusive team wear rights to the WNBL, providing clubs with high quality on-court, off-court and training merchandise.

Peak – a global partner of FIBA – will also develop the WNBL’s licensed product retail strategy in partnership with Basketball Australia through one of its Australian marketing partners, Active Sports Management.

Basketball Australia Chief Executive Officer Kristina Keneally said the WNBL was proud to partner with a global leader in sports apparel.

“Peak boast more than 20 years’ experience and an excellent reputation worldwide – making them a fitting apparel partner for one of the world’s premier women’s professional leagues,” Ms Keneally said.

“Peak have been the official supplier to the Opals and Boomers for some time now, equipping our national teams with premium merchandise and the latest apparel technologies on the world stage.

“Now, the WNBL’s new partnership with Peak will deliver outstanding value for clubs through cost effective, high quality uniform products for our professional female players.

“This sponsorship is also another step forward for the WNBL, fulfilling one of the Business Plan’s major priorities by helping the League to grow its brand presence and licensing and merchandising footprint.”

Dr Chris Richards, Managing Director of Active Sports Management, said: “Peak has a global presence in basketball and is the preferred teamwear supplier to many national sporting teams.

“Its advanced footwear technology is endorsed by some of the world’s best, including current NBA superstar Tony Parker.

“This three year commitment by Peak recognises the high profile the WNBL commands in women’s basketball globally. We look forward to supplying quality apparel to not only our elite women’s basketball players, but also to support staff, referees and officials.

“We also welcome this opportunity to work with Basketball Australia and WNBL clubs, assisting them with merchandise development and income opportunities that will directly benefit each club.”

John Deere to Supply Golf Course Machinery for 2015 Solheim Cup

John Deere, one of the largest manufacturers of agricultural machinery, have announced they will be the official supplier of golf course machinery for The 2015 Solheim Cup.

The competition is the highlight of the 2015 female golf sporting calendar in Germany with the 12 best selected female golf players from both Europe and the United States join together to compete for the prestigious Solheim Cup at St. Leon-Rot Golf Club in Germany from September 18^th-20^th, 2015.

Through the agreement with the Ladies European Tour (LET) and St. Leon-Rot Golf Club, the 2015 Solheim Cup will be supported by John Deere machinery and services through the company’s European dealer network.

“The Ladies European Tour is pleased to extend its relationship with John Deere, which has been an excellent partner during the past 6 years. Our experiences working with them during the 2011 Solheim Cup in Ireland have driven us to want to partner with them again,” said Mark Casey, Director of Operations for the LET and Director of The Solheim Cup.

“We know the enduring strength of the John Deere brand is based on the quality of its products and customer service by experience, therefore we are delighted to have John Deere as a strong partner on board,” said Eicko Schulz-Hanssen, General Manager of St. Leon-Rot Golf Club and Promoter of the 2015 Solheim Cup.

Karsten Biber, Deere & Company’s manager of sales and marketing for turf products in Europe, said: “We are very pleased to add The 2015 Solheim Cup and the 2015 PING Junior Solheim Cup to what has already been a fruitful relationship with the Ladies European Tour. Particularly because the 2015 Cup will take place at the St. Leon-Rot Golf Club, close to Deere & Company’s European headquarters in Mannheim, Germany and the German sales branch.”

Fred Couples Extends Endorsement Deal with ECCO

Danish footwear supplier ECCO have announced they have renewed their sponsorship deal with PGA Tour professional Fred Couples.

Couples, a 2013 inductee into the World Golf Hall of Fame who was recently named “The Coolest Golfer of All Time” by Golf Digest, will continue to be featured in ECCO marketing initiatives. He currently ranks third in Charles Schwab Cup Points on the Champions Tour, having recorded six top-10s in his first seven tournaments of the year.

“Before ECCO, I was always a very traditional shoe guy, but now really all I put on are the Golf Street and BIOM Hybrid styles,” says Couples. “They’ve both got a great look, are so comfortable and provide the traction and stability I need when competing. Plus, I love that I can wear them all the way from my house to the golf course and back. I’m looking forward to playing many more years in my ECCOs.”

Couples has captured 15 PGA Tour titles, including the 1992 Masters. His other notable achievements include winning the 1984 and 1996 PLAYERS Championships, twice earning PGA Tour Player of the Year and Vardon Trophy honors in the same season (’91, ’92), and becoming the first American to reach No. 1 in the Official World Golf Rankings (six years after the system debuted).

Since joining the Champions Tour in 2011, Couples has won eight titles, highlighted by the 2012 Senior Open Championship and 2011 Senior Players Championship.

“Fred’s been an amazing ambassador and for eight years has played a huge role in strengthening our position among the world’s most admired footwear brands,” says Jesper Thuen, ECCO Global Sponsorship and PR Manager – Golf. “In 2010, his choice to wear Golf Street at the Masters sparked the hybrid revolution that has forever altered the global footwear market.”

ECCO golf shoes are also worn in competition by Tour stars Graeme McDowell, Thomas Bjorn, Thongchai Jaidee, Marcel Siem, Stuart Appleby, Andreas Hartø, Wu Ashun, JB Hansen, Belén Mozo, Gerina Piller, Caroline Masson and Line Vedel Hansen.

Freddie Flintoff Becomes New Face of William Hill

With the Ashes on the horizon betting firm William Hill has announced England cricket legend Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff MBE as their new ambassador.

Freddie comes on board as one of our official sporting ambassadors – alongside football star-turned-pundit Robbie Savage and 2010 Grand National winner AP McCoy – in time for the start of the eagerly awaited Ashes series, symptoms which kicks off at Nottingham’s Trent Bridge on July 10.

In his role, health he will help punters with cricket tips via our growing podcast service and promote William Hill products alongside a host of other activities to be confirmed.

Kristof Fahy, medic Chief Marketing Officer at William Hill, said: “I consider Freddie’s signing a huge coup. We are delighted he has joined us as we gear up for two Ashes series in six months.

“Make no mistake, he is an English icon who transcends the sport of cricket. When he talks, people listen – he is opinionated, deeply passionate about the game and instantly recognisable.

“Freddie has been there and done it and we cannot wait to start working with him – he perfectly embodies what we want from our ambassadors.”

Freddie, who has 1.2m Twitter followers, added: “This is a great time to join William Hill – it is a double Ashes year and it could be one of the best years in English cricket history.

“I am chuffed to bits that I’ll be working with such an iconic British sporting brand – the people have been so welcoming and are clearly just as sports-daft as I am, so bring it on!”

The former Lancashire all-rounder shot to national prominence with a series of stunning displays in England’s memorable 2005 Ashes, in which he became the first Englishman to score more than 400 runs and take over 20 wickets in a single Ashes series.

Manchester United Enter Russian Market with Aeroflot Sponsorship

Russian airline, Aeroflot has announced they will be the Official Carrier of Manchester United replacing Turkish Airlines.

This partnership marks the club’s first commercial venture in Russia – an expanding market it is keen to explore further and where it has close to 18 million followers.

As the Official Carrier of Manchester United, Aeroflot will provide the English Premier League champions with strategic advice on travel for the team and club representatives.

Aeroflot has 137 planes and one of the youngest fleets in Europe, with an average age of five to six years and in 2012, the Group provided an outstanding travel experience to its 27.5 million passengers.

Manchester United group managing director, Richard Arnold commented: “Manchester United and Aeroflot share several core values and we are pleased to be welcoming such a high quality company as a sponsor. Like the club, Aeroflot demonstrates team work, quality and a pride in its heritage, whilst still embracing new technologies and innovation.

“Aeroflot is celebrating its 90th birthday this year, but has already impressed us with its youthful energy. We look forward to developing a meaningful partnership with them and reaching our fans in innovative and rewarding ways.”

This confirmed United ending their association with Turkish Airlines who has sponsored the Premier League champions since 2010. Before Turkish Airlines, Air Asia had sponsored United in that category.

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Tottenham Hotspur Announce HP Partnership

The Hewlett-Packard Company (HP) have announced they will become the principal partner of Tottenham Hotspur for the 2013/2014 season.

The U.S. based computer company chose to extend the sponsorship agreement between the Club and Autonomy PLC, who has been a Club sponsor since 2010 and was acquired by HP in 2011, for a further season.

Daniel Levy, Chairman, Tottenham Hotspur, said: “We are delighted to welcome the HP brand back to the Club having previously been a Club partner in the 90’s.

“HP has established itself as one of the world’s leading technology companies and we look forward to working with them once again for the coming season.”

Melbourne Storm Reveal New Back of Jersey Sponsor

National Rugby League (NRL) club, ampoule Melbourne Storm have announced a new back of jersey partnership with the re-launched Tigerair Australia.

The unique jersey features the names of the current NRL squad, pills a traditional Victorian blue V down the front, underneath a watermarked image of AAMI Park, with the new Tigerair logo across the bottom back of jersey.

Melbourne Storm CEO Mark Evans outlined the basic details of the new partnership, highlighting a wonderful opportunity for further growth.

“This partnership is really an opportunity for Tigerair and Melbourne Storm to test the market and see where it can take both parties,” said Evans.

“This week’s Big Battle III jersey will feature their new logo, along with another jersey later in the year, with a view to explore further opportunities in the future.”

RFS Increases Blackburn Rovers Commitment with Shirt Sponsorship

English Championship club, Blackburn Rovers have announced that Regulatory Finance Solutions Ltd (RFS) have become their new shirt sponsor extending their partnership.

RFS became official sponsors of the Riverside Stand at Ewood Park last November and have now added to their association by putting their name to the Rovers shirt.

A management consultancy business, who provide regulatory expertise for the financial services industry, RFS work closely with the UK’s major banks, life and insurance companies.

Life-long Rovers fan John Turner, Chief Executive Officer of RFS, said: “This sponsorship continues a long personal relationship with Blackburn Rovers, dating back many years.

“Throughout my childhood in Blackburn, I stood in the Ewood Park stands in all weathers supporting my local team. A lifetime ambition was to become more involved with the club and last year part of that was realised through the RFS Riverside Stand.

“To now be in a position to sponsor the playing shirt with the RFS brand is a proud moment for the company and for me personally. We are delighted to strengthen our relationship and our brand association with Blackburn Rovers and we wish the players at this great club every success for the coming season.”

Greg Coar, Head of Commercial and Marketing at Rovers, added: “It is very gratifying that on the back of a successful stand sponsorship, RFS have decided to extend their partnership with the club in such a significant way.

“We are delighted that RFS see Blackburn Rovers as the perfect vehicle to increase their profile with the added bonus that John is a life-long supporter and sees the future of the club in such a positive way.”

Caribbean Premier League Ink New Apparel Sponsor

Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) organisers have confirmed India-based Apparel and Equipment manufacturing company TK Sports Private Ltd as the League’s official and exclusive supplier of team apparel and protective gear.

TK is a leading global sports Apparel and Equipment brand with a major presence in Europe since 1984, no rx and have supplied clothing and gear to sports teams around the world across all sports verticals, including the Indian Premier League’s Sahara Pune Warriors and Kings XI Punjab. TK Sports India will be providing the full range of kit for all six teams from practice jerseys and uniforms to gloves, helmets and pads.

“TK Sports India is pleased to have been chosen as the kit supplier for the Limacol Caribbean Premier League,” said Managing Director, Rajan Kohli. “Our reputation for upholding the highest standards of quality control and using the best material and designers guarantees that the LCPL teams will be highly satisfied with their respective gear. We wish the LCPL management and the teams very best and look forward to outfitting them for years to come.”

“Ensuring that our teams are using and wearing gear of the highest quality is of paramount importance to us because the quality of their performance can be affected if they are uncomfortable in their kit,” commented LCPL Chief Executive Officer Damien O’Donohoe. “After much consideration, we selected TK Sports India and we are confident that they will meet the LCPL requirements that we have given them.”