Arsenal Expand in Africa with Imperial Bank Deal

Arsenal FC have expanded their operations in Africa after announcing a partnership with Imperial Bank to issue co-branded debit cards throughout Kenya and Uganda. 

The three year partnership is the first major international financial agreement of its kind for Arsenal, thumb and continues to build on the strong support for the Club in Africa.  The card will offer a range of Club-related benefits and incentives to Imperial Bank’s customers and Arsenal fans in Kenya and Uganda such as official Arsenal merchandise and tickets to see the team in action at Emirates Stadium.

The partnership will also enable the Club to get closer to its millions of fans on the continent, cialis with Arsenal Soccer Schools coaches visiting Kenya and Uganda as part of the agreement in order to run coaching clinics on behalf of Imperial Bank. The sessions will run in addition to Imperial Bank’s ongoing activity with local organisations to promote grassroots football, ampoule with the aim for a junior team formed from the existing programme to participate in the coaching clinics.

Vinai Venkatesham, Head of Global Partnerships at Arsenal Football Club said of the partnership: “We are delighted to be partnering with Imperial Bank to provide Arsenal branded debit cards to our millions of fans across Kenya and Uganda.  Imperial Bank is a well known and trusted institution that puts its customers, communities and social responsibility at the heart of everything it does. We look forward to a long and successful partnership with Imperial Bank.”

Mr. Abdulmalek Janmohamed, Imperial Bank’s Managing Director said: “We are excited about this partnership.  Imperial Bank and Arsenal share common values when it comes to integrity, financial sustainability and independence. We are also known for having the community at the heart of our business.  This partnership will see the bank reach out to new market segments while at the same time supporting our commitment to creating meaningful customer experiences.”

{jcomments on}

Ascot Racecourse Reveals First Ever Car Sponsor with BMW Deal

German car manufacturer, thumb BMW has revealed it has become the Official Car of Ascot Racecourse for 2013.

This is the first time that the racecourse has partnered with an automotive manufacturer and a fleet of 18 vehicles will be provided by the luxury German brand whose UK head office is based in Bracknell. 

Models, anabolics including X5 M Sport and 320d M Sport Touring, will be supplied to the vets and doctors who need to travel around the site on racedays and in addition, chauffeur driven cars will transport customers who arrive at Royal Ascot by helicopter, from the helipad to the racecourse as another unique enhancement to the racegoers’ experience. 

Tim Abbott, BMW UK Managing Director, said: “Ascot is the premier racecourse and so is a natural fit for us as a premium car brand. Horse Racing has millions of followers and extensive television coverage so it’s an excellent place to showcase our latest products.”  Further to this, BMW UK will be displaying vehicles at the Berkshire track on various racedays throughout the year and will be continuing its involvement as sponsors of the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes in October.  All on-course activity will be supported by targeted joint marketing and cross promotional activity. 

“We are delighted to welcome leading luxury automotive brand, BMW, as suppliers of vehicles across several of our activities this year, including Royal Ascot,” said Charles Barnett, Chief Executive at Ascot. 

“We will be doing all we can to increase their business amongst our customers and promote awareness of their brand.  We believe we have great synergy with BMW so this is a very exciting joint venture for us.”

{jcomments on}

Samsung Renews Swindon Town & Leyton Orient Sponsorship

South Korean electronics giant, Samsung has renewed its sponsorships with English League teams Swindon Town and Leyton Orient for the 2013/14 campaign.

The agreement will feature the return of the Samsung Win A Pro Contract competition for both clubs.

Win A Pro Contract is a nationwide competition that gives amateur footballers at the grassroots of the game the opportunity to win a one-year professional playing contract.

Swindon’s deal will see the electronics giant’s logo emblazoned across of both the Robins’ home and away shirts next season.

It is also understood to included continued strategic partnerships with other sponsors, such as EA Sports, The People newspaper and Pro-Direct Soccer, all of whom are believed to have been brought to the club over the past three years thanks to Samsung’s involvement.

J Y Kim, deputy managing director of Samsung UK and Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Swindon Town FC for a fourth season.

“We are looking forward to the team performing well on the pitch, and to watching the progress of Samsung Win A Pro Contract winner 2012/2013 Kayden Jackson.

“We are very happy that Swindon Town will be working with Samsung once again on Win A Pro Contract, and providing another hard working young person with a life-changing opportunity as a professional footballer.”

Town chairman Jed McCrory said: “I am sure all Swindon Town supporters will be delighted to hear the news that we have renewed our partnership with Samsung.

“Samsung’s support remains very important to the club, and we look forward to building on what is already a solid relationship.”

J Y Kim, said about the Leyton Orient deal: “We are delighted to be partnering with Leyton Orient FC for a second season.

“We are looking forward to the team performing well on the pitch, and to watching the progress of Samsung Win A Pro Contract winner 2012-2013 Jack Sherratt.

“We are very happy that Leyton Orient will be working with Samsung once again on Win A Pro Contract, and providing another hard working young person with a life-changing opportunity as a professional footballer.”

Barry Hearn, Chairman, Leyton Orient FC, said: “We’re delighted to have extended our partnership with Samsung for a second year.

“The Win A Pro Contract initiative was extremely successful this season, and we look forward to welcoming the winner, Jack Sherratt, in to our first team squad, as well as continuing to work with Samsung’s team to build the relationship further.”

Salmon Buckets Expands Sponsorship Deal with Cronulla Sharks

Australian Rugby League team, pills Cronulla Sharks has announced locally owned manufacturing company Salmon Buckets and Attachments (SBA) has increased its involvement with the Sharks in becoming the clubs front of short sponsor for the 2013 season. 

The sponsor of the Sharks junior representative and academy program for the last three seasons, SBA Managing Director John Salmon explains the company is excited about increasing its association through this NRL team sponsorship.

“SBA has been a long-term corporate partner and sponsor of the Sharks and being on the front of the NRL playing shorts not only increases our level of involvement but also provides for greater exposure for our company,” Salmon said. “The shorts sponsorship was something of a natural progression for us after three years on the Junior rep jerseys and we are happy to have taken the step up.

“We look forward to the remainder of the year and what the future may bring with our sponsorship and partnership with the Sharks.”

The Sharks were quick to sing the praises of SBA, with General Manager of Commercial and Marketing Pat Woods pleased announce their increased involvement this season.

“They have been a loyal supporter of our grass roots programs for a few years now, in addition to being corporate partners and we welcome them coming on board with the NRL team with this shorts sponsorship,” Woods said.

TrainingPeaks Becomes Official Training Software of IRONMAN

Triathlon event, pills IRONMAN has announced TrainingPeaks as the Official Training Software of IRONMAN.

For the next four years, TrainingPeaks will offer its complete web, desktop and mobile tracking, analyzing, and planning system to all IRONMAN triathlon participants to help them achieve their goals – whether it’s to complete their first triathlon, or qualify for the IRONMAN World Championship.

“This sponsorship with IRONMAN has been a long time coming – thousands of our customers already compete in IRONMAN events every year,” said TrainingPeaks CEO Gear Fisher. “TrainingPeaks is the ideal software for IRONMAN athletes to track all their training, nutrition and metrics.”

“We congratulate every IRONMAN registrant for setting a goal when they sign up for a race – but we know that the hard part is the journey that lies ahead. The long hours on the road, the early morning swim sessions, and just staying motivated to get out there every day is a huge commitment. Most IRONMAN participants are working with a limited amount of time to train. Our technology enables athletes to navigate the entire journey successfully through guidance and accountability. It’s a proven system that works – that’s why we’re so excited to roll it out to all IRONMAN participants. We can help in the process from the moment they commit to this life-changing goal.”

Through the sponsorship, all IRONMAN, IRONMAN 70.3 and 5150 registrants will have the option to get a free basic TrainingPeaks account where they can log their workouts and perform analysis of their training data.

“Our partnership with TrainingPeaks allows us the ability to provide athletes with a full training resource that will assist them in their journey from registration to race day,” said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer for World Triathlon Corporation (d/b/a IRONMAN). “We embrace the relationship ahead with TrainingPeaks as we endeavor to improve the athlete experience.”

TrainingPeaks will also perform race-day data analysis from some of the top IRONMAN pros for major events, including the IRONMAN World Championship, IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship and IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.

Dirk Friel, co-founder and Chief Evangelist at TrainingPeaks said, “We want to use power, heart rate and GPS data from the pros and other age groupers to show all athletes how to race successfully for their own events – as well as educate the general public about the sport.” TrainingPeaks analyses will also be featured on IRONMAN Live webcasts.

Freedom 55 Financial Gets Presenting Sponsorship of TOUR Championship of Canada

PGA TOUR Canada has announced that Freedom 55 Financial has been confirmed as the presenting sponsor of the TOUR Championship of Canada. 
The TOUR Championship of Canada, doctor PGA TOUR Canada’s marquee event, will be conducted by Golf Canada. The tournament will see the culmination of the race for five Web.com Tour cards earned by the top five on the Order of Merit September 9-15 at Sunningdale Golf and Country Club in London, Ont.
“We’re delighted to solidify the Tour Championship of Canada presented by Freedom 55 Financial as the season finale for 2013,” said PGA TOUR Canada President Jeff Monday. “With a quality organization like Freedom 55 Financial, an experienced host in Golf Canada and a tremendous golf course at Sunningdale, we have all the right pieces in place for an outstanding finish to our inaugural season.”
Headquartered in London, Ont., Freedom 55 Financial, a division of London Life Insurance Company, has joined as presenting sponsor in part of a multi-year agreement that will see the event stay in the London area for years to come.
“We’re proud to be a part of this high-profile sports event,” said Mike Cunneen, Senior Vice-President, Freedom 55 Financial. “PGA TOUR Canada is a great fit with our brand values of inspiring freedom, confidence and optimism for the future. This Tour inspires competitive golfers and fans alike across the country.
“It’s also exciting London has been selected as host of the TOUR Championship of Canada,” said Cunneen. London Life has been a key part of the city’s business community for more than 135 years.
The event will feature a unique partnership between PGA TOUR Canada and Golf Canada, with Canada’s National Sport Organization and governing body serving as the event operator for the season-ending TOUR Championship. Golf Canada has more than a century of expertise running national golf championships including the RBC Canadian Open, CN Canadian Women’s Open and Canada’s National Amateur Championships.
“Golf Canada is very proud to be evolving our longstanding partnership with the PGA TOUR and becoming the host organization for the TOUR Championship of Canada presented by Freedom 55 Financial,” said Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons. “Some of Canada’s best and brightest PGA TOUR prospects will be competing at this event, and we are honoured to be a part of the excitement surrounding the PGA TOUR’s continued support of the game in Canada. We are also pleased to bring professional golf to Sunningdale and the tremendous golf community in the London area.”
The 132-player field at the TOUR Championship of Canada presented by Freedom 55 Financial will be based off the 2013 Order of Merit, with the top 132 players through the first seven events gaining entry.
London, a city known for its support of local professional and community-based sports events, sees men’s professional golf return for the first time since 1998, when 2011 THE PLAYERS Champion Tim Clark of South Africa claimed victory at the Canadian PGA Championship at Forest City National Golf Club.
“On behalf of the management team and members at Sunningdale, we are thrilled to be hosting PGA TOUR Canada’s marquee event. We’re confident that players, sponsors and guests will have a great experience at our facility,” said Sunningdale General Manager John Adams. “The players will enjoy the golf course, and everyone will enjoy the hospitality at Sunningdale. We have an experienced, veteran management team and we’re looking forward to what is going to be a very successful event.”
The PGA TOUR Canada season will kick off June 3-9 at the Times Colonist Island Savings Open in Victoria, BC, heading coast-to-coast and concluding at the TOUR Championship of Canada presented by Freedom 55 Financial.

PrimeSport Named Official Fan Hospitality Provider of Valero Alamo Bowl

PrimeSport, arthritis the leader in providing direct access to the biggest sporting events announced today a new partnership with the Valero Alamo Bowl as the Official Fan Hospitality Provider for the game.

The 2013 Valero Alamo Bowl will be held on December 30, find 2013 in San Antonio, order TX at the Alamodome. Held annually, the game is one of the nation’s elite bowl games and hosts a rivalry series between teams from the Big 12 Conference and the Pac-12 Conference.

“PrimeSport is a leader in building and managing VIP hospitality experiences for high-profile sporting events,” said Derrick Fox, Valero Alamo Bowl president and CEO. “Our goal is to provide our fans with the best bowl game experience in the country, and the unmatched hospitality service PrimeSport will provide our fans is a big part of that exceptional experience.”

As part of the partnership, PrimeSport will be offering official Valero Alamo Bowl ticket and hospitality packages for the dedicated fan looking for a VIP Experience at the event. Official pregame hospitality will be located at the historic Sunset Station just one block from the Alamodome and includes regional food, cold beverages, music and more. Valero Alamo Bowl travel packages are also available from PrimeSport and include hotel accommodations, game tickets, official pregame hospitality, official souvenirs and much more.

“The Valero Alamo Bowl never fails to deliver a great matchup between the Big 12 and Pac-12 and this year will be no different,” said Greg Nortman, Chief Operating Officer of PrimeSport. “We are looking forward to our new partnership with the Valero Alamo Bowl, and offering the PrimeSport Experience to Big 12 and Pac-12 college football fans.”

Bollé Extends RS Class Association Sponsorship

Glasses manufacturer, apoplectic Bollé is renewing its sponsorship of the RS Class Association for the 2013 season.

Bollé will be sponsoring the RS100, capsule RS200, story RS300, RS400, RS500, RS600, RS700 and RS Vareo Grand Prix Series. The has evolved from Bollé’s sponsorship of last years’ RS200 and RS400 Northern Tours.

Bollé’s Marine Collection offer polarized sunglasses of very high quality and protection.

Johnson Lexus to Title Sponsor Midtown Race Series’ Half Marathon

Johnson Lexus has become the title sponsor of the Johnson Lexus 5k, 10k,Half Marathon, part of the Midtown Race Series. 

The Johnson Lexus 5k, 10k, Half Marathon will be held on September 21st, 2013.  The Midtown Race Series produces premier running events in Midtown Raleigh, NC.

As the official automotive sponsor for the Midtown Race Series 2013 races, Johnson Lexus has provided the chance for participants to win a new Lexus IS C worth up to $45,000.  One participant in the Lookout Capital 5k, 10k, 13.1 on June 1st and one other participant in the Johnson Lexus 5k, 10k, 13.1 on September 21st will be eligible to win the new Lexus.

​The runners pace is not a determining factor in the contest for the Lexus; each participant has the same chance to win.  During the awards ceremony following the conclusion of each race, one lucky participant will be randomly selected for a chance to win the Lexus.

In conjunction with their sponsorship Johnson Lexus, has selected the Special Olympics of Wake County to be a race beneficiary as a part of the race’s Charity Challenge which exists to support local charities.

“We are thrilled to have Johnson Lexus as the title sponsor of our fall race,” said John Kane,Founder and CEO of the Midtown Race Series.

“Their brand is synonymous with first class service and their commitment to our community is unparalleled, making them an ideal partner for Midtown Race Series.”

The Midtown Race Series was established in 2012 to produce a series of first class running events that start and finish at North Hills in Raleigh, North Carolina. The race series will feature two events in 2013, the Lookout Capital 5k, 10k, 13.1 on June 1st and Johnson Lexus 5k, 10k, and 13.1 on September 21st.  Each race will showcase one of the city of Raleigh’s greatest assets, the greenway.

“Johnson Lexus is excited the be exclusive automotive sponsor for the Midtown Race Series this year and to team up with the Midtown Race Series as the title sponsor of the September 21st race,” said Leigh Fox, spokesperson for Johnson Lexus.  “We’re also grateful for the opportunity to support and bring attention to the Special Olympics of Wake County through the race’s Charity Challenge.” 

Mercedes-Benz & UPS Join the Masters as Sponsors

US Major golf tournament, cialis The Masters has announced that Mercedes-Benz and UPS will sponsor the tournament beginning with the 2014 event.

Mercedes-Benz, an International Partner of the Masters since 2008, will join AT&T and IBM as a Global Sponsor, which formerly included ExxonMobil. UPS will join Rolex as an International Partner, the position previously occupied by Mercedes-Benz.  The total number of sponsors and partners remains unchanged.

Billy Payne, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, said: “The relationships we form are important to our commitment of continuous improvement, and we sincerely appreciate the longtime assistance and enthusiasm of ExxonMobil for their support. We now look forward to growing our associations with Mercedes-Benz and UPS, two globally recognized brands that also share a passion for the Masters and the Tournament’s sustained success.”

The 2014 Masters Tournament is scheduled for April 7-13.