NetCracker Technology has announced it will be sponsoring Andrew Kurka, prostate a U.S. National Paralympic Alpine skier, symptoms at Adaptive Spirit’s 18^th annualSkiTAM event. NetCracker will also be a Gold sponsor of the event itself.

etCracker’s sponsorship of Andrew Kurka and SkiTAM is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility Program that supports events, organizations, and individuals whose activities benefit a broad spectrum of causes, including health, human services, education, arts and culture, and the environment, with an emphasis on children, youth, and family programs. NetCracker’s participation also underscores its strong commitment to the cable industry.

Joanna Larivee, NetCracker’s Senior Director of Marketing, commented that “Our company is honored when it has the opportunity to assist remarkable individuals and deserving communities so they can achieve their potential.” She continued by stating that “Sponsoring Andrew Kurka not only pays tribute to an outstanding athlete, but also honors the exceptional athleticism and competitive spirit of the entire U.S. National Paralympic Ski Team.”

Staffordshire-based cylinder mower manufacturer Allett Mowers has secured a two-year partnership with Edgbaston Stadium to become the famous cricket venue’s Official Cylinder Mower Partner.

Allett Mowers will provide the Edgbaston groundstaff with six of its top specification cutting edge cylinder mowers ahead of the 2013 season providing Edgbaston, drugs who will host the final of the ICC Champions Trophy, healing with the highest level of quality machines, anesthetist ensuring the most professional and trophy worthy finish.

As part of the activation package, Allett Mowers will brand the groundstaff area and tunnel that leads out on to the pitch at Edgbaston as well as taking hospitality at one of Warwickshire County Cricket Club’s domestic fixtures.

Allett Mowers will also utilise Edgbaston’s new conference and events facilities to host Open Days for groundsmen of local cricket clubs throughout the UK. The Open Days will include a full guided tour of the World famous stadium, a presentation with question and answers forum with Head Groundsman Gary Barwell, product demonstrations and refreshments.

Gary Barwell, Head Groundsman at Edgbaston, said: “Allett Mowers is a market leader in the cylinder mowers and ground care equipment market and is the ideal partner for our team to ensure that the outfield and square at Edgbaston are prepared for matches at the best standard possible. We are extremely proud to have Allett as a vital part of our team.

“All eyes will certainly be on Edgbaston this summer with such a prestigious schedule of matches, so having Allett equipment available to us is the perfect scenario.”

Leigh Bowers, Sales Director of Allett Mowers, said: “Edgbaston is one of the world’s most famous cricket venues and we’re honoured to confirm an official partnership with such a prestigious venue.

“By working closely with Gary and his team at Edgbaston, not only will we be able to gain more global exposure for the Allett product and brand, but also develop closer and beneficial links with Edgbaston’s network of local cricket clubs.”

American multinational telecommunications company, AT&T has renewed its sponsorship of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and will remain the Official Communications Sponsor of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams through the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, and the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“Through its support, AT&T helps the USOC represent our country at the highest levels, and we are happy to continue this great relationship. As Team USA  travels extensively, AT&T helps them stay connected to the people that matter most,” said Mark Wright, vice president of media services and sponsorships, AT&T. “AT&T’s heritage and legacy of sponsoring Team USA demonstrates the value we place on connecting our customers with their interests and passions.”

In 2014, AT&T will celebrate 30 years of sponsoring the USOC. Since the start of the relationship in 1984, AT&T has helped Team USA stay connected to coaches, family, friends and fans.  

“AT&T has a proud history of supporting U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Team athletes and has truly helped them to achieve their goals of competing and succeeding on the biggest stage in sport,” said Lisa Baird, chief marketing officer, USOC. “We’re delighted to see the tradition of this relationship continue as it helps to provide critical resources to top American athletes and advances the Olympic and Paralympic Movements in the United States.”

In addition to providing support through AT&T technology, products and services to the USOC, AT&T is currently also a sponsor of United States Figure Skating and USA Gymnastics. AT&T also actively supports the three U.S. Olympic Training Centers, providing each with an AT&T Athlete Connection Center. Each center is equipped with world-class communications technology through AT&T services including high speed internet, Wi-Fi, wireless charging stations and AT&T Advanced TV services.

14 Hands Vineyards, producer of the top-selling wines from Washington state, has been named a sponsor of the Kentucky Derby, the legendary Thoroughbred race representing the first leg of the coveted ‘Triple Crown.’

14 Hands wines will be enjoyed by guests attending the event as well as the Taste of Derby, an annual culinary celebration benefiting hunger relief that showcases regional cuisine.

MLB’s San Diego Padres announced today that the club has extended its partnership with the San Diego County Lexus Dealers through 2017, also expanding it to include naming rights to the Home Plate Club.

The Lexus Home Plate Club is the most exclusive ticket in Petco Park, featuring access to the Lexus Home Plate Restaurant and the Lexus Home Plate Lounge. All food and beverage is included for Home Plate Club members, whether in the restaurant, the lounge or via in-seat service. The 222 seats in the Lexus home Plate Club, which are closer to home plate than the dugouts, have been sold out since the Club’s inception. As part of the sponsorship and activation plan, which Team One negotiated for the San Diego County Lexus Dealers, all Home Plate Club seats will be outfitted with Lexus-branded seatbacks.

“We are proud to continue and extend our partnership with the San Diego County Lexus Dealers and welcome them as the naming partner of the Lexus Home Plate Club,” said Padres Senior Vice President, Business Development Tyler Epp.  “We have enjoyed learning more about their business over the past year and are looking forward to working with Team One to deliver tremendous value to the San Diego County Lexus Dealers, who have been so supportive of our organization.”

“The San Diego County Lexus Dealers are proud to be the new naming rights sponsor of the Lexus Home Plate Club,” said Michael Bevan, general manager of the Lexus Western Area.  “Lexus has been a proud supporter of the San Diego Padres for the last year and we look forward to the expanded partnership.”

The Padres and the San Diego County Lexus Dealers first partnered in 2012.

English League One club, Sheffield United FC have announced the Sheffield office of international legal firm Kennedys has extended its current three year deal for the sponsorship of The Kop stand at Bramall Lane stadium by a further three years until 2016.

Kennedys, the legal service provider for the Blades and owner Kevin McCabe’s Scarborough Group International, is a specialist national and international law firm with unrivalled expertise in litigation and dispute resolution. Its flagship Sheffield office opened in July 2010 and is now one of the second largest in the firm’s global network providing a substantial regional, national and international client base mainly within the insurance, commercial, construction, retail, engineering and public sectors.

Suzanne Liversidge, Managing Partner of the company’s Sheffield offices, based at the Electric Works, Sheffield city centre, said: “We are delighted to have agreed our continued sponsorship of The Kop for the next three years. Kennedys are proud to be associated with the Blades and its supporters. We are looking forward to building on our relationship with the club in the future and, hopefully, there will be a promotion or two to celebrate along the way.”

United plc chairman Kevin McCabe said: “We are delighted to have the strategic partnership with Suzanne and the excellent team at Kennedys. I would like to thank Kennedys for their continuing support which, with this extension, will stretch to six years, an indication of the strength of the relationship we enjoy with our commercial partners.”

Fifth Third Bank has announced it will sponsor two-time NASCAR Nationwide Champion, troche Ricky Stenhouse Jr. this weekend at Martinsville for the STP Gas Booster 500.

This will be the Sprint Cup rookie’s first attempt at the famed paper-clip half-mile track.

“The Fifth Third Bank Ford will make its 2013 debut this weekend at the same time I make my Martinsville debut, pills ” said Stenhouse. “Fifth Third Bank has been a great partner for Roush Fenway Racing and I look forward to representing their 21,000 employees this season. Even though Martinsville is known to be rough on rookies, I hope we can get a solid finish in our first race with the Curious Bank on board.”

Fifth Third Bank joined Roush Fenway Racing in 2012 and will continue to serve as a primary sponsor for the No. 17, as Stenhouse and the team fight for the Rookie of the Year honors. The next scheduled event for Fifth Third Bank is Kentucky Speedway on June 29, 2013.

Stenhouse ran a No. 6 Fifth Third Ford Fusion in the 2012 Sprint Cup finale last season at Homestead. He currently sits at 12th in the Sprint Cup point standings and leads the NASCAR rookie standings as he makes his bid to win RFR’s 13th NASCAR rookie award.

Yorkshire County Cricket Club have announced a new partnership with Wensleydale Creamery, bronchi producers of the famous Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese, who has become an official partner of Yorkshire County Cricket Club until 2016. 

The three-year deal will see the historic cheesemaker’s logo displayed on the side’s and back of the players’ shirts in all forms of cricket.

In addition to a number of branding rights including tickets, merchandise and a prominent sponsor board in the North East Stand at the iconic Headingley Cricket Ground, Yorkshire’s finest cheese will be sampled by Yorkshire’s finest players and fans at home fixtures throughout the season. The deal will become part of a major marketing and PR campaign by The Wensleydale Creamery in Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s 150^th anniversary season.

Andy Dawson, Commercial Director at Yorkshire County Cricket Club, said: “We are delighted to sign a partnership with a well-known, international brand that stands for Yorkshire authenticity and quality. We look forward to working with The Wensleydale Creamery team, in our historic 150^thanniversary.”

David Hartley, Managing Director of The Wensleydale Creamery, said: “Our cheese was first crafted in the 12^th century by a group of Cistercian monks who settled in Wensleydale. Today, the inimitable taste of our cheese still comes from our handcrafted traditions that only the Yorkshire Dales can offer.

“We are proud of our Yorkshire heritage and see our new partnership with Yorkshire County Cricket Club as a perfect fit for the brand. As a company with Yorkshire at our heart, we look forward to working with a great, Yorkshire sporting institution and its loyal fan base.”

Based at Hawes in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, The Wensleydale Creamery handcrafts its cheese to time-honoured recipes, using milk from local family farms to ensure the quality and authenticity of its cheese. With a team of over 200 staff, its famous award winning cheeses, including most notably their Yorkshire Wensleydale, Yorkshire Wensleydale & Cranberries and Wensleydale Blue, are sold in local independent stores, major UK supermarkets and across the globe.

Motorcycle-Superstore.com has announced a partnership with MX Sports Pro Racing and Alli Sports, asthma a division of the NBC Sports Group, that will make them the Exclusive Online Retailer of Motorcycle Parts and Apparel for the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.

“This is an exciting step for Motorcycle Superstore,” said Tim Clark, Director of Sports Marketing for Motorcycle Superstore. “The Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship is one of the premiere motorcycle race series in the world. This partnership will provide a great opportunity for our company, the race series and the racers. Motorcycle-Superstore.com has been the leader in online retail sales for more than 15 years, plus we carry every major motocross and off-road brand. This partnership with Lucas Oil Pro Motocross is a natural fit.”

Motorcycle-Superstore.com has introduced an exciting new concept for the Holeshot Award that creates a mini-championship inside the series championship. Under the new format, each Moto One holeshot winner gets one point, while the Moto Two holeshot winner gets two points. If the same rider holeshots both Motos on the day they would get an additional bonus point for a total of four points on the day. The final payoff will be a $25,000 check for the overall winner in the 450cc class and $15,000 for overall winner in the 250cc class. 

“We are very proud to welcome Motorcycle Superstore as a big supporter of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship with their unique Holeshot Championship bonus program,” said Davey Coombs, President of MX Sports Pro Racing. “Their presence will be a positive and welcomed addition not only to the racers but the spectators who follow the action live at the events as well as with the NBC broadcast and Alli Sports online. We look forward to each time the start gate drops this summer.”

The Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship kicks off on May 18 with the Hangtown Motocross Classic in Sacramento, Calif. Tickets for the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship are on sale at AlliSports.com.

Gander Mountain, medicine the nation’s largest retail network of outdoor specialty announced it will sponsor Michael Waltrip Racing’s No. 15 car driven by NASCAR star Clint Bowyer in the Sprint Cup Series NRA 500 on Saturday, April 13, at Texas Motor Speedway.

During next Saturday’s primetime event, Gander Mountain will showcase on Michael Waltrip Racing’s popular No. 15 car the company’s firearms responsibility call to action: “With Rights Comes Responsibility; Secure Your Firearms.”

“As a leading outdoors retailer, Gander Mountain is committed to the mandate of responsible firearms ownership, and the importance of guarding against firearms getting into the hands of the underaged, untrained and unauthorized,” said Steve Uline, executive vice president of marketing for Gander Mountain. “We believe that with rights comes responsibility. For existing firearms owners and those considering becoming an owner, personal responsibility is paramount. 

“Even in the case of owners who understand the importance of responsibility, everyone should take the opportunity to revisit the security of their firearms.”

Gander Mountain’s partnership with Michael Waltrip Racing and Clint Bowyer provides an ideal stage, televised to a nationwide audience during primetime, to deliver the imperative message that responsible firearms ownership should never be optional, Uline said.

“The race track and racing fans are the perfect environment in which to launch our responsible ownership initiative,” Uline said. “In addition to being one of NASCAR’s superstar drivers, Clint Bowyer also is an avid outdoorsman who is personally committed to responsible firearms ownership.”

“Anyone who knows me knows I love to hunt and be outdoors,” Bowyer said. “I’m partnering with Gander Mountain because we both believe that with rights comes responsibility. Most people think they are responsible firearm owners, but we want to make sure that when firearms are stored they are secured and locked up – meaning with gun safes and trigger locks.”