Betfair Gets Title Sponsorship Rights to World Snooker Championship

Betfair have been announced as the new title sponsors of Snooker’s World Championship.

Betfair has already sponsored the Masters, the Shoot-Out, the German Masters and the European Tour this season, and has now enhanced its portfolio by adding the event which is the pinnacle of the snooker calendar. 

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “The World Championship is one of the great sporting occasions. It’s a tournament which draws the attention of everyone who loves sport, who loves to see the most talented competitors do battle under the most intense and pressurised conditions. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Betfair as title sponsor for the first time. They have shown tremendous support for our events this season and the exposure they have already gained for their brand on a worldwide scale has been phenomenal. The World Championship is guaranteed at least 120 hours of coverage from the BBC and a global audience of 360 million. 

“It is building up to be the most fascinating Championship we’ve ever had, so anyone lucky enough to be inside the Crucible cauldron to see the action live should savour every moment. I hope the Betfair team enjoy the 17 days of sporting drama as much as I will.” 

Betfair spokesman Barry Orr said: “We are delighted to be extending our partnership with World Snooker, and the opportunity to further increase our commitment to the sport through title sponsorship of this marquee event is an exciting prospect. The return of Ronnie O’Sullivan also means that the line-up is as strong as ever and the stage looks set for a thrilling first ever Betfair World Championship.”

The Betfair World Championship will run from April 20 to May 6.

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Swansea City to Exit Shirt Sponsorship Deal with 32Red Early

English Premier League club, Swansea City and online gaming operator 32Red has agreed to end its shirt sponsorship deal with English Premier League football club Swansea City following the conclusion of the current season in May.

Gibraltar-based 32Red is the firm behind the online casino at 32Red.com and has served as the Welsh club’s primary shirt sponsor for four years. Its current deal was set to run until the conclusion of the 2013/14 season.

However, in a joint statement the pair explained that the decision had been taken in order to allow Swansea to ‘engage with third parties who may be able to assist in the physical development of the stadium and support the club in its next phase of growth’.

“It’s been a fantastic relationship with the Swans,” said Ed Ware, Chief Executive Officer for 32Red.

“Our association has coincided with Swansea City’s most successful period ever so far. We will look back on the partnership fondly and wish the club the very best of luck for the future.”

The original sponsorship deal with 32Red was signed in June 2009 when Swansea were a mid-table Championship club. They have since managed to secure promotion to the top-flight for only the second time in their history and celebrated their 100th birthday this season by winning the Capital One Cup.

“I’d like to place on record the club’s enormous thanks for the support that 32Red has given us over the last four years,” said Leigh Dineen, Vice-Chairman for Swansea City.

“It has been a pleasure to deal with and played an important factor in our progress. I feel we have some exciting opportunities in the marketplace and have agreed to conclude the agreement with 32Red one year early and on friendly terms.”

Hill Dickinson Remains Official Legal Partner of Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has announced international law firm, buy Hill Dickinson, cough has renewed its sponsorship as Official Legal Partner of the series.

This follows a highly successful involvement with the eighth edition of the Clipper Race and underlining a long-standing relationship with Clipper Ventures. 

The firm, which has an international network of offices and is renowned for its specialist marine knowledge, will provide legal advice and support to the Clipper Race, which at 40,000 miles is the world’s longest global ocean race. 

Tony Allen, head of Hill Dickinson’s yacht team said: “The Clipper 13-14 Round the World Yacht Race promises to be challenging and exhilarating for all those involved. As the Official Legal Partner we will ensure that our expertise from our UK and overseas offices is applied at every stage of the race in order to fully support the organisers and allow the participants to concentrate on winning their race.”

Hill Dickinson’s association with the biennial Clipper Race began in 2004 when the award-winning law firm was appointed as Official Lawyers to Liverpool 2008 as part of the city’s successful bid to become European Capital of Culture. As such the firm became race partners to Liverpool 08’s entry in the Clipper 05-06 Race and was introduced to the global marketing opportunities the race delivers to its sponsors and partners. 

The firm successfully used its sponsorship of the Clipper 11-12 Race to engage with both staff and clients in key markets around the world, organising a networking reception in Singapore, hosting a sailing day in The Netherlands and launching an employee engagement initiative for a member of staff to win the opportunity of a lifetime to sail a leg of the race. 

Bids Manager David Ferris was selected from 70 entrants to race from Derry-Londonderry to Den Helder then back to the finish in Southampton. Along the way he provided unique and engaging content from aboard the Clipper Race yacht which was used across the company’s website and social media channels as well as raising over £1500 for Marie Curie Cancer Care. 

Hill Dickinson will also sponsor a trophy for the final transatlantic leg of the race to Ireland which will cover more than 3750 miles. 

Sir Robin who founded Clipper Race, said: “We have enjoyed working with Hill Dickinson for a number of years and I am delighted that we are able to further strengthen that relationship. I am pleased to welcome them back as Official Legal Partner for the Clipper 13-14 Race.”

Cricket Scotland Gets New Ticketing Partner

Cricket Scotland has announced a new partnership with Livesport.co.uk, sale a subsidiary of the east of Scotland based Scothosts group. 

Live Sport will provide an out-sourced, rx online service on behalf of Cricket Scotland to sell match tickets for the imminent 2013 cricket season.  A variety of packages will be available for sale for the busy, view forthcoming season, which includes home fixtures against Pakistan, Kenya and Australia, as well as the Yorkshire Bank 40 league against the English counties. Tickets and packages can be accessed from tomorrow via the Cricket Scotland website at www.cricketscotland.com, which has a direct link to the Livesport.co.uk sales platform.

Commenting on the new partnership, Cricket Scotland Chief Executive Roddy Smith said: “Cricket Scotland is always keen to offer our supporters best value for money, as well as excellent and efficient customer service.

“LiveSport.co.uk is emerging as one of the fastest growing outsourced online service providers in the UK, providing innovative web solutions for ticketing delivered by a team of experts with a commitment to outstanding levels of customer service.  We are very impressed with the dedication and enthusiasm they have shown to provide this valuable service for us and our customers, and we very much look forward to working proactively with them.’’

Greig Hopcroft, Operations Manager at Scothosts group said: “LiveSport.co.uk is delighted to be supporting the growth of Scottish cricket.  We believe that our service will enhance the overall event experience for the customer.

“We are excited about our new partnership with Cricket Scotland and look forward to continuing to build our relationship over the coming months by utilising our portfolio of innovative web solutions, which raises the bar in functionality and usability within the digital marketplace.”

Northern Ireland Open Challenge Acquires New Title Sponsors

The Northern Ireland Open Challenge 2013 has secured a number of global sponsors, unhealthy Clannah Natural Energy and XJET who have been announced as title sponsors of this year’s Challenge Tour event to be staged at Galgorm Castle Golf Club in Ballymena from 29 August – 1 September.

Despite these economically straitened times, abortion organisers at Galgorm along with the European Challenge Tour have been able to attract significant sponsors, viagra order both locally and on an international scale, to support Northern Ireland’s standout professional golf tournament in 2013.

The Northern Ireland Open Challenge is a key stop off on the Challenge Tour’s international schedule and also continues the run of high profile golf tournaments in the province after last year’s Irish Open at Royal Portrush.

Tourism Minister Arlene Foster MLA said: “Galgorm Castle is a superb course and offers the ideal setting for the Northern Ireland Open Challenge. Not only will it be a great event for spectators from near and far. It will also provide opportunities for the next generation of players to follow in the footsteps of our local golf superstars.

“Following the tremendous success of the Irish Open last year, the tournament is a great boost to the drive to build on the growing interest in our golf product which has been generated by the success of our home-grown players including Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell and, of course, tournament ambassador, Michael Hoey.”

Clannah Natural Energy is the vision of Susan Morrice, whose extensive background includes, geology, exploration and philanthropy and today the Belfast native excels in the oil and energy industry from her base in the United States. Morrice set up Clannah in Northern Ireland and also hadgood reason to get involved with the Galgorm event.

“We are delighted that Clannah and XJET are participating in the Challenge Tour event at Galgorm in special honour of Eric and Tom Morrice,(Susan’s father and uncle) who loved the game of golf,” said Morrice.

Morrice’s cousin Josh Stewart is the brains behind XJET, the number one private aviation company in the United States.In a very competitive industry, Stewart, also from Belfast, was named one of Colorado’s most influential young professionals with his seven star service and facilities for private jet owners.

The Challenge Tour event is further bolstered by support closer to home as the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Ballymena Borough Council, Tourism Ireland, Ulster Bank, Costcutter, Blackstar Sports, BS Holdings among many others are supporting the Galgorm driven showpiece. The event is set to be worth over £600,000 direct income to the local economy as well as boasting a comprehensive PR campaign with an anticipated media value of over £2,000,000.

As the Northern Ireland golfing odyssey continues to evolve the Galgorm event also hasfour-time European Tour winner Michael Hoey as the tournament’s ambassador, while Gareth Shaw is named as the venue’s new touring professional.

“I think after the success of the Irish Open last year, it’s important we have another strong tournament,” said Hoey (34). “It promises to be a great tournament and I know the organisers at Galgorm are hoping to attract somewhere in the region of 30,000 spectators over the week.”

Shaw, (27) comes into the season after winning the 2012 order of merit on the Alps Tour and hopes to make his mark on the Challenge Tour.

“The tournament at Galgorm will provide the support for the next generation of Irish professionals aspiring to be one of the Nations next great players and also provides many experienced players the opportunities to re-establish themselves within European golf”, says Mark Aspland, European Tour.

Christopher Brooke, GalgormCastle explains, “This will be another excellent opportunity to witness some of the stars of the fairways as they compete in the £145,000 (EUR 170,000) event. None of this would have been possible without the help and support of partners and sponsors all of which can be found on the event website.

“We look forward to what promises to be another great summer of Irish golf and of course welcoming all to the Northern Ireland Open Challenge 2013 at the end of August.”

Bunker Mentality Becomes Clothing Sponsor of Jamega Pro Tour

Bunker Mentality, prostate one of Europe’s most fashionable clothing brands, here have become the exclusive clothing sponsor to the Jamega Pro Tour for the next three seasons.

This follows the brand sponsoring amateur tours over the last three seasons, and this marks an exciting long term partnership for both Jamega Pro Tour and Bunker Mentality.

The Bunker Mentality sponsorship agreement will provide several prizes to players through out the season. The Jamega Pro Tour has 27 events planned for this year in the UK, and 5 across Portugal and Spain. The leading pro at the end of every month will receive the equivalant of a golfing ‘yellow jersey’ by being awarded Bunker Mentalty clothing. The season’s order of merit winner will receive the opportunity to become a brand ambassador for Bunker Mentality along with a one year clothing contract.

Bunker Mentality’s Robert Hart said: “We met with the guys from Jamega and were impressed with the scope and organisation of the tour. We found that both brands shared similar beliefs and values. We immediately recognised the opportunity offered, leading to the exciting agreement to become official clothing sponsor for the Jamega Tour for the next three years. This will continue to allow us direct contact with professional golf in a meaningful and regular basis.”

Gary Harris Director of the Jamega Pro Tour said: “Following a successful start to the year where we added a Spanish/Portugese Swing to the Jamega Tour, we are delighted to team up with Bunker Mentality as our official clothing sponsor for the next three years. The Jamega Tour is about recreating competitive professional events and we feel a perfect fit with Bunker Mentality as they represent what modern golf is all about.”

Above All Advertising to Sponsor JD Motorsports for 2013 Season

JD Motorsports has announced they have inked a deal with San Diego based- Above All Advertising as a marketing partner for the 2013 season.

The deal will begin at Auto Club Speedway, seek as an associate sponsor on the No. 01 Flex Seal Chevy of Mike Wallace, denture and the No. 4 iWorld Chevy of Daryl Harr.

The agreement came to fruition through a shared industry connection and both organizations determined they could immediately benefit from one other. In addition to supporting the race entries this weekend, viagra the No. 01 transporter’s design will be completely revamped and rebranded, thanks to the Above All Advertising’s team of skilled artists, their top quality production facility and professional installers.

“We have been an industry leader for over 10 years providing quality advertising and marketing solutions to many world class organizations and Fortune 500 companies. Above All Advertising, Inc is excited to be a part of NASCAR racing in association with JD Motorsports”, said a company spokesperson. “As we have grown into the premier print provider for so many industries, it has become apparent to us that we need to further enhance our brand in the realm of motor sports and joining the JD Motorsports team seemed to be the right fit for us. We look forward to growing our relationship inside of NASCAR and the racing community for print and display products.”

“JD Motorsports is extremely excited that Above All Advertising has joined us for the 2013 season. The newly designed hauler and future marketing materials will help to strengthen the team as we move forward. The opportunity to work with a well known and well run company made sense for our team, our current sponsors, and the NASCAR community,” stated Johnny Davis, owner and CEO.

Magneti Marelli Sponsors Schmidt Peterson Motorsports

Magneti Marelli, a global automotive systems and  component supplier, has chosen Schmidt Peterson Motorsports (SPM) to sponsor for 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series season.

Magneti Marelli Motorsport division is supplying fuel system components and technology to several IZOD IndyCar Series teams. Magneti Marelli has an expanded sponsorship involvement with SPM however and its logos will be displayed on the side of the cockpit and nose of the No. 77 Schmidt-Peterson-HP Motorsports entry driven by Simon Pagenaud.

“We are pleased that our technology is being integrated into the SPM team,” said Roberto Dalla , Head of Magneti Marelli Motorsport. “The sponsorship of SPM is a demonstration to our desire to strengthen our brand presence in the IZOD IndyCar Series through strategic technical collaboration.”

Team owner Sam Schmidt is happy to ally his team’s name with a company that has had a role in motorsports since 1919. “Magneti Marelli is a name that is synonymous with all major forms of motorsports and is a leader in electronic engineering worldwide,” Schmidt said. “It is an honor for us to have them join our existing partner base.”

Its work with SPM creates an opportunity for Magneti Marelli to design and test in an environment with extreme conditions that can be applied to mass-produced vehicles. Building a bridge between the two worlds of motorsports and road cars in a technological transfer brings added value to both areas.

“This sponsorship has grown from a technological starting point,” said James Rosseau , Head of Magneti-Marelli North-America. “It is the correct way to raise visibility and communicate to the North American market what Magneti Marelli really is: technology with quality, passion and performance. We want people to know that we are part of their world and have been for many years, in their head lights, fuel systems, shocks absorbers, racing components, electronic systems, etc., and the racing venue allows them to see this.”

“As we continue to grow our technical resources as a team it is fantastic to welcome a company with the racing heritage of Magneti Marelli as a partner,” SPM General Manager Rob Edwards said. We look forward to using their technology to increase our competitive advantage while at the same time promoting the Magneti Marelli brand to fans of IndyCar racing.”

Kobe Bryant Agrees Endorsement Deal with Hublot

Swiss luxury watch brand, capsule Hublot, drugs has announced 5-time NBA Champion and Los Angeles Laker, buy Kobe Bryant as their latest brand ambassador.

To commemorate the partnership, Hublot will release Kobe’s signature timepiece, the Hublot King Power Black Mamba, worldwide. Inspired by the star’s nickname, “Black Mamba,” the limited edition watch features a snake around the counter at 9 o’clock and Kobe’s jersey number, “24”, over 6 o’clock. The star shooting guard will represent the brand on an international level, and joins the ranks of elite Hublot sports ambassadors, from fellow basketball star Dwyane Wade of the Miami HEAT, to famed Olympian Usain Bolt and soccer legend Diego Maradona.

“Bryant is the perfect choice for Hublot – a brand known for its precision and excellence, traits that have characterized the basketball icon’s celebrated career,” said Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot. “We could not be more excited to add Kobe Bryant to our roster of brand ambassadors, all of whom are living testimonies to athletic superiority and perseverance. Kobe’s achievements are an inspiration to all of us here at Hublot and we look forward to a wonderful partnership,” Guadalupe added.

In support of the partnership, Hublot will have an ongoing alliance with The Kobe & Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of youth and families in need, both domestically and globally. By providing financial resources and developing unique programs, the Foundation strives to strengthen communities through educational and cultural enrichment opportunities.

Verizon Wireless Renews IndyCar Sponsorship

US mobile phone operator, prostate Verizon Wireless has extended its deal as an Official Partner of IndyCar through 2014.

The two-year extension includes the innovative “Verizon P1 Award” for each of the 19 IZOD IndyCar Series races and exciting technological enhancements to the fan-essential INDYCAR 13 app.

Verizon is adding to the traditional contingency monetary bonus and trophy by placing a gold medallion on the rear wing endplate of the pole-winning car signifying the winner’s achievement in capturing the pole. The medallion is changed to silver following the event, and each subsequent pole earned is represented by a star on the medallion. Additionally, the Verizon P1 Award flag will proudly be displayed outside the pole winner’s garage for the remainder of the race weekend.

“Verizon is not only a great INDYCAR partner, but it has truly become an ambassador for the sport,” said Greg Gruning, executive vice president of Business Development, INDYCAR. “Whether it is INDYCAR 13 that provides unprecedented race coverage for fans or the new Verizon P1 Award that showcases the pole-award winning drivers, Verizon continues to enhance what the exciting IZOD IndyCar Series offers.”

Verizon, the nation’s largest 4G LTE network, serves 98.2 million retail connections and operates more than 1,900 retail locations. Globally, it offers voice and data services in more than 200 locales.

The IZOD IndyCar Series begins with the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 22-24 on the scenic, yet challenging, 1.8-mile, 10-turn temporary street circuit.