Vita Coco, the country’s most popular coconut water beverage brand, today announced that Josh Hamilton of MLB’s LA Angels was signed for a second year as one of the brand’s top athlete spokespersons.

Vita Coco signed Hamilton to an endorsement contract last May 2012, when he made baseball history by becoming just the 16th player in modern history to hit four home runs in a single game. The contract was renewed when Hamilton signed with the Angels last December.

“Josh Hamilton is an extraordinary athlete with an inspiring story,” says Vita Coco CEO and co-founder Michael Kirban, “and we have faith that consumers will connect to him and Vita Coco in this new campaign.”

To celebrate the partnership, Hamilton will be featured in a major out-of-home campaign, starting with a billboard on California State Route 57 at the Orangewood Avenue exit, directly across from Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

Vita Coco continues to build a cult-like following in the world of professional sports. From Chicago Bulls All-Star Joakim Noah to legendary coach Rick Pitino, pro-athletes and their trainers and coaches are all loyal fans of Vita Coco, touting the coconut water brand as the best source of natural hydration and replenishment.

Following Betfair’s decision to acquire the Blue Square Bet brand, it will not include the acquisition’s title sponsorship deal with the English Football Conference.

The original six-year marketing agreement saw the football organisation’s semi-professional Conference National, which is the fifth tier of English soccer, branded as the Blue Square Bet Premier while its two feeder leagues were renamed the Blue Square Bet North and Blue Square Bet South.

The existing deal is due to expire at the conclusion of the current season with Betfair revealing that although it intends to honour the terms of this agreement it will not be extending the arrangement further.

“Blue Square Bet has been a tremendous partner for six long seasons and we knew that it was likely to end its contract with us at the end of this current one,” said Brian Lee, Chairman for the 68-team Football Conference.

“It has honoured each and every clause of the agreement and we would like to believe that we have responded likewise. It would be remiss of me not to express our grateful thanks to its entire staff that have over the years contributed to the success of the partnership and, in particular, Alan Alger, who has been a constant thread throughout. We wish him and all other staff at the company the very best in the future. They have become friends and we hope they remain so once the season is over.”

The British Superbike Championship, the UK’s premier motorsport series has announced a partnership with luxury watch manufacturer BRM Chronographes.

As the official timekeeper of MCE BSB, the globally-renowned BRM Chronographes logo will be identified and credited on the official live timing service at MCE BSB events and in the associated timing and data TV graphics. They will also enjoy a comprehensive package of premium marketing rights in association with the MCE BSB brand.

In addition and in the future BRM Chronographes will produce a special limited edition BSB watch.

Stuart Higgs, MCE BSB Series Director, said: “We are very pleased to announce a new partnership with BRM Chronographes who’s heritage and passion is derived from motorsport.   The BRM awards of unique trophies and luxury watches will certainly add further prestige to each event.  MCE BSB Championships have recently been decided by just 0.006 of a second, highlighting the perfect association with precision timekeeping.”

Bernard Richards of BRM Chronographes said: “We are pleased to sign a partnership with one of the most important motorcycle racing championships in the world, the MCE BSB Championship.   As a passionate fan of motor cycling for over forty years, when I see all the efforts for winning by just a few centimetres or to get the pole position by one thousandth of a second, I think that the spirit of competition in each of the riders is the same as what motivates us to create each BRM Chronographes product.    To all, thank you very much for this partnership as the official timekeeper and watch manufacturer of MCE British Superbikes.”

Akrapovi? has continued its support to the Yamaha Factory Racing team as an Official Sponsor during the 2013 FIM MotoGP season.

As in 2011 and 2012, ampoule an Akrapovi? exhaust will be used by Yamaha Factory Racing to help realize the full potential of the 2013 1000cc YZR-M1. Reigning World Champion Jorge Lorenzo has already served notice of his intention to retain his World Champion status – and net his third ‘crown’ with Yamaha – with impressive performances during off-season official winter MotoGP tests.

Once again the Yamaha YZR-M1 machines of Yamaha Factory Racing will be adorned with Akrapovi? exhausts crafted from selected titanium alloys and the passion and skill of a company that was raised on racing success.

In 2011, medic Akrapovi? and Yamaha Motor Europe entered into an agreement whereby the Slovenian exhaust specialist would supply a range of aftermarket exhausts for the vast Yamaha motorcycle range, order to be distributed Europe-wide through official Yamaha dealers. This working relationship has proved successful with many Yamaha customers and fans of Yamaha Factory Racing able to enjoy the merits of Akrapovi? products in the same way as their racing heroes.

Slavko Trstenjak, head of Akrapovi? Racing R&D, commented: “This is the third season Akrapovi? has the distinct honor of working in partnership with Yamaha Factory Racing at the highest level of road racing.

“Continual development of the Yamaha YZR-M1 leads to continual development of its racing exhaust system – and Akrapovi? is one of the very few exhaust manufacturers who can keep pace with such technical demands and supply such consistently high specification products.

“Based on the high level of results achieved through use of our products, Akrapovi? has become a byword for excellence. We wish Yamaha Factory Racing every success for 2013.

FIBA Europe Properties’ has extended its co-operation with Molten Corporation for a further four years.

The re-signing between the two parties is a confirmation of what has already been a successful partnership stretching back to 2005.

As a FIBA Europe Properties partner, Molten is the official ball supplier for FIBA Europe-sanctioned competition finals, and all FIBA Europe youth championships.

“Molten is a world-renowned basketball brand and we at FIBA Europe are pleased that we will be able to continue to work closely with them in the coming years,” said FIBA Europe Secretary General Kamil Novak.

Kia Motors America (KMA) has extended its deal as the Official Automotive Partner of the LPGA.

As Official Automotive Partner of the LPGA, medstore Kia will support several tournaments with courtesy vehicles, clinic including the inaugural North Texas LPGA Shootout, case the 13th edition of The Solheim Cup at Colorado Golf Club outside Denver, and the season-ending CME Group Titleholders.

“The Kia brand continues to grow and mature at a rapid pace, thanks in large part to high-profile sports marketing initiatives such as our involvement with the LPGA, which has significantly raised awareness and consideration amongst the growing numbers of passionate fans of women’s golf across the country,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. “As part of our recommitment to the LPGA we are pleased to offer an enhanced prize package for the winners of this year’s Kia Performance Awards and we are looking forward to rewarding some of the tour’s best players and performances with the new Cadenza premium sedan.”

“Kia is a perfect partner for the LPGA with both brands on the rise in the U.S. and worldwide,” said Jon Podany, LPGA Chief Marketing Officer. “Kia is integrated into nearly every aspect of our business – as a title partner, media partner, official car, and the through the Kia Performance Awards, which were a big hit in their inaugural year with four players driving off in new Kia’s.”

Hyatt Hotels has reached an exclusive partnership agreement to support “Messi and Friends vs. the World 2013”, an exhibition bringing 36 of the world’s top players to Chicago this July.

As part of the sponsorship arrangement, the hotel brand’s three Chicago properties — Hyatt Regency Chicago, Hyatt Regency McCormick Place and Park Hyatt Chicago — will host the players during their time in Chicago, welcome press from around the world for media events and feature a special promotion for fans looking to stay in the official event hotels.

“We’re always looking for reasons to welcome people to Chicago, and this benefit is a great reason,” said Patrick Donelly, general manager of Hyatt Regency Chicago. “With Lionel Messi on the field, the eyes of the entire world will be on Chicago. We look forward to supporting and being associated with this great event.”

The Hyatt Regency McCormick Place stands less than one mile from historic Soldier Field, site of Messi’s event. The newly renovated facility regularly hosts events associated with the iconic Chicago stadium. The other Hyatt properties are also located near top Chicago landmarks and offer easy access to the game.

In addition to Messi, the world’s elite soccer stars participating in the Hyatt-sponsored friendly include Jose Manuel Pinto, Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song, Emiliano Insua, Mario Yepes, Ricky Alvarez, Pablo Aimar, Martin Demichelis, Diego Lugano, Walter Gargano, Alvaro Gonzalez, Dani Osvaldo, David Trezeguet, Giovani dos Santos, Jonathan dos Santos, Thierry Henry and Marco Fabian.

“This event will feature the world’s greatest players in a festival of soccer, the most popular sport on the planet,” said Sergio Codino, vice president of Numero 5, LLC, the match’s organizer. “The Messi and Friends friendly, much like the NFL Pro Bowl or the MLB All-Star Game, will provide fans with an incredible opportunity to witness the world’s greatest athletes from the world of soccer together on the field of competition before the FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014.”

As part of the promotion, Hyatt Regency Chicago, Hyatt Regency McCormick Place and Park Hyatt Chicago are offering special deals for soccer fans looking to attend the unique event and stay where the stars stay. The hotel group is offering a package that includes three nights in one of the properties and premium tickets to the game. Memorabilia is available at www.messiandfriends.net, the official website of the friendly game.