Mesut Özil Endorses Swiss Watch Brand Cyrus Genève

Swiss watchmaker, Cyrus Genève has signed Mesut Özil, the Real Madrid football superstar and member of the German national team, as the new brand ambassador for its exclusive chronographs.

The 24-year-old star athlete will wear the stylish watch in international campaign motifs that include print, online and POS promotions. In addition, global charity projects will play a central role in the cooperation.

Laurent Lecamp, co-founder and CEO of Cyrus, said: “I admire Mesut Özil for his precision as a sportsman as well as his characteristic modesty and sense of family. He embodies professionalism paired with vitality and team spirit. This connects him with the vision of Cyrus and makes him the ideal representative of our brand.”

Mesut Özil added: “Cyrus is a strong, young brand that stands for using the finest materials to create perfect quality and the highest art of watch making. I’m intrigued by the unique, innovative design and the dedication to perfection – down to the tiniest detail. This is ex-actly my style. Therefore, the partnership with Cyrus was a perfect fit – on my wrist and in my head.”

As a part of the cooperation, Mesut Özil will also get a chance to show his creativity in designing an exclusive model for Cyrus.

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Expands blu eCigs Sponsorship

IZOD IndyCar team, order Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) has expanded its partnership with blu eCigs.

blu eCigs, the electronic cigarette brand, will become primary sponsor of the No. 15 entry for Graham Rahal in the Sao Paulo Indy 300 in Brazil and will increase its involvement in the 97th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race to major associate sponsor with enhanced branding on the race car.

“blu eCigs has been a great addition to our program this season, and has been very well received by the race team as much as the fans – so we are very pleased to be expanding our relationship together,” said Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with CBS LATE SHOW host David Letterman and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan. “We had the ability to bring on a primary sponsor for Graham’s car in Brazil and are thrilled that blu eCigs has jumped at the opportunity, after an active weekend most recently at the Long Beach Grand Prix.”

“We are very pleased with the positive response by fans at this year’s Long Beach Grand Prix event where blu eCigs had its first ever presence as an IndyCar primary sponsor. We saw the use of e-cigarettes throughout the event, including by our own pit crew, so the IndyCar demographic appears to be the right match for blu,” said Matt Coapman, Vice President of Marketing at blu eCigs. “We think the upcoming Sao Paulo IndyCar event can amplify both U.S. and international exposure and will be a good fit for the sport and our brand.”

Last year in Brazil, RLL’s then-driver Takuma Sato earned his best series finish to date of third place. Graham Rahal’s best finish in the event came in 2011 when he was second to Will Power. He matched that result this past weekend in Long Beach for RLL.

NRL’s Wests Tigers Seal Australian Power & Gas Sponsorship

The National Rugby League’s Wests Tigers have announced Australian Power & Gas will sponsor the team for the 2013 season.

The partnership between Australia’s leading independent energy retailer, who are also long-standing supporters of the Balmain Tigers, will see supporters offered exclusive discounts on home energy.

James Myatt, Australian Power & Gas founder and CEO, said: “Australian Power & Gas is committed to saving people money on their home energy bills and we’re pleased to extend our support of the Wests Tigers in addition to continuing our long-standing support of the Balmain Tigers. We’ve enjoyed a strong relationship over a number of years and we’re looking forward to offering Wests Tigers fans a chance to save money on their home energy.”

To celebrate the sponsorship, Australian Power & Gas is offering Wests Tigers supporters a $20 energy credit for every Wests Tigers victory this season if they sign up to an energy plan as a new customer.

Other benefits from the partnership include further exclusive product discounts for Wests Tigers supporters and opportunities to interact with players and legends through the Australian Power & Gas’ Hall of Fame.

Wests Tigers CEO Stephen Humphreys welcomed the new arrangement.

“Australian Power and Gas is a very successful company offering real savings to families with their energy bills. We are delighted with our association and thrilled about the strengthening of the relationship,’’ Humphreys said.

“I encourage all Wests Tigers supporters to take advantage of the tremendous savings on offer from Australian Power and Gas.”

BT Sport Adds Van Persie & Oxlade-Chamberlain to Ambassador Line-Up

BT Sport have added to their list of ambassadors by signing Manchester United striker Robin Van Persie and Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The broadcaster, who will air 38 Premier League games next season, confirmed the news on Twitter that Van Persie will appear alongside Gareth Bale in ad campaigns for their coverage.

Van Persie is currently the Golden Boot frontrunner with 24 goals with Luis Suarez one behind but unlikely to add to his tally following his 10 match ban for biting.

Head of BT Sport Simon Green added: “I am absolutely delighted that we have signed a star of Robin’s calibre to be in our advertising. There are few current players that have had such an incredible run of form in the Premier League over the last couple of seasons. 

“For BT Sport, Robin is one of the players that embody the dynamism and skill that we are going to be showcasing with our live coverage, so we could not have signed a more powerful figure.”

BT have also snapped up Arsenal youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, who signed for the Gunners from Southampton in 2011 and has 10 England caps, will also become a BT Ambassador for the next three years.

The 19-year-old winger said: ‘I am very pleased to be named as a BT Ambassador and to feature in the adverts and as a guest for BT Sport.

“As a young player, I hope I can bring some real insight into the Premier League, as part of the BT Sport team.”

Green added: “We are thrilled that Alex has agreed to sign up for BT Sport. Alex is emerging as an international star, having broken into the senior team aged just 18.

“His hard work and dedication to improvement has already taken him to great heights and serves as an inspiration to young football fans that if you are good enough, you are old enough.”

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SuisseGas Becomes Premium Sponsor of AC Milan

SuisseGas has become the Premium Sponsor of AC Milan for the 2012/13 season and as a Top Sponsor in the 2013/14 season.

The agreement was signed today by Milan vice President and CEO Adriano Galliani in via Turati, by Luido Bernasconi, the CEO of SuisseGas and by Luca Borelli, Commercial Director of SuisseGas. 

The deal will see the SuissGas logo on the pitch side advertising boards, totems, backdrops and fixed advertising boards installed at the Milanello Sports Complex where the Milan players train and at the stadium on match days.

SuisseGas will also be given a ‘package’ of seats in the first tier which they can distribute as they please for Serie A, Uefa Champions League and Italian Cup games. These guests will also be given the opportunity to visit Milanello, have organised walkabouts and to utilise the logo and image of the club for their ‘below the line’ activities.

“We are very happy,” said Luido Bernasconi, CEO of SuisseGas “to be part of the Milan family as an energy partner. Our on going aim to become involved with sporting initiatives is perfectly matched by the universal values that Milan and sport represents,  principles which are at the heart of good business. We have chose to join forces with the most successful club in the world because SuisseGas even though they are a young yet dynamic group. From the very start they have always aimed high in all spects of their business.” 

Resorts World Manila to Title Sponsor New Asian Tour Event

Resorts World Manila, online an tourism and entertainment destination in the Philippines, has signed a landmark five-year agreement with the Asian Tour to title sponsor a new $750,000 tournament in November, officials announced today.

The Resorts World Manila Masters will be held at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club from November 14 to 17, 2013 where all four rounds will be beamed live on the Asian Tour’s global television platform that reaches over 200 countries and 650 million homes.

The long-term partnership between Resorts World Manila and the Asian Tour, which is the official sanctioning body for professional golf in the region, is a massive boost for the development of the game in the Philippines and across Asia, especially with golf returning to the Olympic Games in 2016.

Resorts World Manila believes its first sponsorship foray on the Asian Tour will also showcase the Philippines to the eyes of the golfing world and boost the tourism sector.

Resorts World Manila is also supporting the development of junior golf and sports in the Philippines.

“On behalf of Resorts World Manila, we are truly privileged to announce a momentous five-year agreement with the Asian Tour to host the Resorts World Manila Masters at Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club in November,” said Resorts World Manila COO Steve Reilly.

“It is our privilege to host a truly world-class golf championship in the Philippines that will showcase the professional game at the highest level in the country,” Reilly added. Through the extensive television exposure, the Resorts World Manila Masters will undoubtedly promote the sports and tourism sectors of the Philippines.

“As this is a five-year agreement, we have every desire to grow the Resorts World Manila Masters into a sporting extravaganza that will entertain golf fans and television viewers from around the world. We want our event to be the golfing pride of the Philippines, hence the long-term agreement with the Asian Tour,” according to Reilly.

The Camp Aguinaldo Junior Golf Team, who are members of the JunGolf Foundation of the Philippines, were also present in today’s historic press launch of the Resorts World Manila Masters. The team, led by head coach and former Asian Tour member Carito Villaroman, won five gold medals in the recent True Vision International Golf Championship.

“We recognise the need for Resorts World Manila to fully support junior golf programmes in our country. With golf returning to the Olympics in three years’ time, we hope to play a role in ensuring that the Philippines will be represented in golf,” Reilly further added.

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said the new partnership with Resorts World Manila was yet another positive development for the game in Asia. Two new events have already been held on the 2013 Asian Tour Schedule, with several other new tournaments to be announced in due course.

“On behalf of our players, I would like to extend our fullest gratitude to Resorts World Manila for its belief and confidence in the Asian Tour as we seek new and exciting playing opportunities for our highly talented membership,” said Han.

“This long-term agreement with one of the Philippines’ largest conglomerates is a wonderful endorsement for the Asian Tour and shows the confidence of the market place in our players and brand,” Han added.

“I am sure the Resorts World Manila Masters will create a very positive and meaningful impact for the game in the Philippines and across Asia. As all our tournaments offer Official World Golf Ranking points, the Resorts World Manila Masters will provide opportunities for players from the Philippines and across Asia to play their way to Rio De Janeiro.”

Borussia Dortmund Follows Real Madrid Trouncing with Turkish Airlines Deal

Following Borussia Dortmund’s 4-1 demolition of Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League the Bundesliga team also received another gift today after Turkish Airlines revealed they are looking to partner with the team. 

Turkey’s flagship carrier announced that it would meet the German giants on May 2 to ink a deal to make itself the official flight sponsor of the club. 

“We are excited at the prospect of being a part of Borussia Dortmund’s future success and we aim for a productive partnership,” the company’s chairman of the board, Hamdi Topçu, said.

Turkish Airlines has worked with Barcelona and Manchester United, in addition to athletes such as Kobe Bryant, Lionel Messi and Caroline Wozniacki. 

An eight-time Bundesliga champion and three-time German Cup winner, Dortmund also took a massive step closer to winning its second Champions League trophy with a semifinal first leg victory over Real Madrid on April 24. 

The team also boasts Turkish international Nuri Şahin and İlkay Gündoğan, a player with Turkish roots but playing for Germany. 

“Turkish Airlines and Borussia Dortmund share a similar success story. Dortmund has a very notable set of players, many of them young and successful,” Topçu said. “Turkish Airlines also invests heavily in talent building. Several of the Borussia Dortmund players are members of both the German and Turkish national teams.” 

Hans-Joachim Watzke, Borussia Dortmund’s CEO, also commented on the deal. “We are glad to have Turkish Airlines, a global brand, as our partner. Turkish Airlines is a strong brand with obviously high quality and a first class service. We are looking forward to cooperating with Turkish Airlines and are pleased that they chose Borussia Dortmund as a strong partner to realize their goals,” Watzke said.

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Nationwide Insurance to Sponsor Ricky Stenhouse Jr in Nascar Sprint Cup Series

Nationwide Insurance have announced a two-year partnership with Roush Fenway Racing’s No. 17 Ford Fusion powered by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. 

Nationwide Insurance will be the primary sponsor for three races in 2013, allergy four races in 2014 and will serve as associate sponsor for all other No. 17 team Sprint Cup races.

“We’ve had a 15-year presence in NASCAR and this is the first time we’ve sponsored a car in any NASCAR series, seek ” said Matt Jauchius, dosage viagra chief marketing officer for Nationwide Insurance. “We built a solid relationship with Roush Fenway and two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion and Nationwide Insurance member, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and we’re eager to carry that momentum forward and enhance our existing integrated NASCAR marketing platform.”

The No. 17 Nationwide Insurance Ford Fusion will contend in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races on Aug. 24 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, Sept. 7 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway and Oct. 20 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. The race dates in 2014 are yet to be determined.

“This new partnership broadens our reach to NASCAR fans on Sundays,” Jauchius added. “We remain fully committed to the NASCAR Nationwide Series, its teams and drivers, our loyal partners and the rabid fans. Nationwide Insurance continues to have positive conversations with NASCAR regarding the Series entitlement renewal which began in mid-March and are on-going. It’s a very detailed process and we expect it will take a while, but NASCAR is a great place to be for active sponsors, like us.”

Nationwide Insurance is in its sixth year of a seven-year agreement as the title sponsor of the NASCAR Nationwide Series – the second-most popular form of motorsports in the United States – and is the official home, life, auto and farm insurance sponsor of NASCAR.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with Nationwide Insurance so much over the past three years as both their champion and as a Nationwide Insurance member,” said Stenhouse. “They feel like family and to be able to continue that relationship with our No. 17 team means so much to me because of who they are and all that they stand for. I’ve had Nationwide on my side for my entire NASCAR career, and I’m excited that they are going to continue being there for me.”

“Nationwide Insurance has been a terrific partner for the entire sport, and we’re proud to be representing them on the track with Ricky and the No. 17 team as their involvement in NASCAR grows,” said Roush Fenway president Steve Newmark. “Our relationship with Nationwide Insurance has always been a strong one and we’ve constantly been impressed with their marketing prowess and innovation in our sport. We’re looking forward to growing our partnership and driving success for their business – on and off the track.”

Chip Ganassi Racing Secures Two New Sponsors for Indy 500 & Coca Cola 600

Chip Ganassi Racing Teams (CGRT) announced today new sponsorships with VIZIO and Hulu which will see the brands carried on two of racings’ biggest stages on Memorial Day Weekend at the Indianapolis 500 and Coca Cola 600.

The programs include major associate level branding on both Ryan Briscoe’s No. 8 NTT DATA Honda in the IZOD IndyCar Series for the 97thRunning of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and on Jamie McMurray’s No. 1 McDonald’s/Cessna Chevrolet SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) for the Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26.

The sponsors will also see primary branding on CGRT development driver Kyle Larson’s No. 32 Chevrolet Camaro for the NASCAR Nationwide (NNS) History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway May 25, erectile giving VIZIO and Hulu Plus 1, viagra ed 400 miles of great racing during one of the most watched racing weekends of the year.

In addition, ed both brands will be the primary sponsors on Kyle Larson’s Late Model entry for NSCS driver Denny Hamlin’s Short Track Showdown charity race tonight at Richmond International Raceway.

Matt McRae, Chief Technology Officer, VIZIO: “Just as VIZIO is committed to performance and leading technology in the consumer electronics space, Chip Ganassi Racing Teams puts those practices to work on the track. We’re excited to have another opportunity to work with our partner Hulu Plus and wish Ryan, Jamie and Kyle luck as they prepare for three of the biggest races in INDYCAR and NASCAR.”

Steve Lauletta, President, Chip Ganassi Racing Teams, Inc.: “With VIZIO and Hulu joining our partner lineup, you’ll see their brands used across a number of the unique assets our racing programs can provide– all on one of our biggest weekends of the year. We have developed a program not only in NASCAR, but in INDYCAR as well, and look forward to providing value in the investments they’ve made with us.”

gloops Named Manchester United’s First Official Social Gaming Partner

Manchester United has announced today a new sponsorship agreement with gloops, allergy Japan’s leading social gaming company.

The new two year regional sponsorship will see gloops become the Club’s first Official Social Gaming Partner, apoplectic allowing them the right to create and distribute a statistical based battle card social game in Japan.

Manchester United has almost 4 million followers in Japan and the addition of gloops to the Club’s family of sponsors follows on from a number of sponsorship agreements with some of the country’s most successful brands.

Manchester United Commercial Director, Richard Arnold said: “Our partnership with gloops is a first for the Club and we are delighted that they are now part of the Manchester United family. gloops is a market leader in what is still very much an emerging industry.

“They are at the forefront of social gaming’s development in Japan and we believe they can help the Club deepen our engagement with many of our 4 million followers in Japan. This is a very important territory for us, which is one of the reasons we chose to visit Japan as part of our Tour 2013 and we are very pleased to be able to offer fans innovative digital content from gloops.”

gloops President Shinsuke Kawakata aslo commented on the deal: “We are delighted to be launching our partnership with Manchester United, to create new game titles for the Club’s millions of Japanese fans. As well as providing sports themed content to our 18 million users, gloops has also been an avid supporter of sports fans and athletes through our CSR programme, which was launched last year. Through our CSR programme we have already offered our local community tickets to baseball matches, as well as making donations to the TOMODACHI Project, a Japan-US initiative under the public and private sector partnership.”

Founded in 2005, gloops was originally an advertising agency before diversifying into the online social gaming industry. They started with just 6 people, now just 8 years on they employ over 600 across offices in Japan, the U.S. and Vietnam.